Ian Wright, the Arsenal legend, delivered a pointed message to his ITV colleagues after the broadcaster showcased its lavish World Cup studio in New York City. The studio, which overlooks the iconic Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge, served as the backdrop for ITV's coverage of England's pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica, a match that ended in a dominant 3-0 victory for Thomas Tuchel's side.
During the broadcast, presenter Mark Pougatch introduced the set, saying: "Welcome to our New York loft apartment, home for six weeks of coverage of the World Cup. We hope you will love this view as much as we do, a view of the buildings of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge. You are thinking it must be AI; I promise you it is real."
Roy Keane responded with "Amazing, fantastic," before Wright added: "It's amazing, unbelievable set. It's the World Cup, it should be this, it should be grand, massive." Wright's comment was seen as a subtle dig at the BBC, which chose to base its World Cup coverage in Salford rather than the United States.
BBC Defends Salford Studio Decision
BBC director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski recently defended the decision to remain on home soil, citing financial constraints. He told the Daily Mail: "Right now, I'm incredibly happy with it. To have what would probably be an extra couple of hundred people out there – and that's before you build a studio – you're talking millions. If I was standing here saying everything is going to be done from a studio in Dallas, you would rightly be saying to me, 'How can you justify that expense?' I don't think the answer from a financial sustainable point of view is to say everyone can go. I don't think that is a very clever way of me to spend licence fee money."
The BBC's approach has drawn criticism, with only a handful of sports journalists making the trip across the Atlantic for the tournament. In contrast, ITV has invested heavily in its New York setup, which Wright believes is fitting for a global event like the World Cup.
Keane on ITV-BBC Rivalry
Roy Keane also weighed in on the rivalry between the two broadcasters, speaking on Sky Bet's Road To American mini-series. He said: "The rivalry between the BBC and ITV pundits is a bit strange, but I think it's good that there's a bit of tension. I think you need a bit of competition. Let's not kid ourselves, there is definitely tension. Even from pundits who work with other pundits. The BBC might have the younger pundits, but they're two completely different shows. The people who work for the BBC and ITV in the background, they are about numbers, and maybe that filters through to the pundits."
As the World Cup approaches, the contrasting approaches of the two broadcasters have sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. ITV's New York studio, with its stunning views and high-profile pundits, appears to have won early praise, while the BBC's Salford base remains a point of contention.
