BBC and ITV have already annoyed some of their viewers at the World Cup. The opening game of the tournament was shown live on ITV, but neither broadcaster offered a highlights show, as they have done for previous World Cups. Although key moments are available to watch on their respective websites, there will be no highlights packages on TV for the duration of the tournament. The decision has left many people relying on social media to catch up on the overnight action from North America.
Viewers Express Fury on Social Media
After viewers realised that no highlights package would be made available on TV, some were left furious and made their feelings known on social media. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), @phildampier wrote: "Have I got this right? The #BBC and #ITV don’t have a morning or afternoon #MOTD style highlights show of #FIFA #WorldCup games we’ve missed through the night? Diabolical."
@ilgrandetoro added: "So there's no highlights shows on either ITV or BBC for the World Cup? That's a bit s*** considering the vast majority of games are overnight."
@_Cyaak replied: "Don’t have a license but hoped to watch some highlights as well as the live games on BBC."
@botbforum said: "They do it for the Olympics so why not for the World Cup? Would be great if they could stick an hour of highlights on iPlayer or ITVX available at 6am. Most fans could then catch up before they leave for work."
@dobbo_m pointed out: "Highlights will be available ‘on demand’ and probably YouTube tbh. We all have to start thinking how youngsters digest content now."
Some Defend the Decision
Others urged those complaining to get with the times and simply use the internet to watch the highlights, rather than traditional TV. @GavinRossPhoto said: "I know it’s hard to believe but there was this thing called the internet invented a few years ago. It allows you to watch TV and highlights of things, like football for example, almost instantly."
@TheVivCross added: "You do know YouTube is a thing? Who the hell watches the BBC or ITV for highlights any more?" Meanwhile, @mag_tom posed the question: "Can you imagine waiting to watch a highlight TV show in 2026 when YouTube exists?"
A contrary point was raised by @dragon35666, who said: "People saying about YouTube and stuff miss the point. Those sort of videos would tell the result before you click the video. We want a mini MOTD where we don’t know what happened going in."
And replying to a comment on his original post, @phildampier fired back: "You do realise 20 per cent of people in the UK don’t use the internet don’t you but everyone with a TV has to buy a licence?"
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