Kevin Kilbane commentating on Brazil V Chile for 5 Live tomorrow so no TV work for him then. I wonder if he'll get a live TV game or if it will be 2 for Lawrenson and 1 each for Murphy and Keown.
As for commentators we know Wilson is doing USA V Belgium live. I'd guess Mowbray at Brazil V Chile, Brotherton on France V Nigeria and Pearce on Argentina V Switzerland.
Did someone not mention that Simon Brotherton was finishing the tournament early for some reason or is this after the last 16?
I would hazard a guess that Steve Bower has done his last live game, perhaps doing some highlights for this week?
Looks like Lawrenson will be getting the final barring a surprise somewhere along the lines.
This is what Arius has said on the World Cup thread - so clearly the BBC had no choice with Monday 5pm.
Arius said Netherlands V Mexico was 2nd choice and Argentina V Switzerland was 3rd choice - I'm surprised at both, particularly the Argentina game. Seems a bit strange that the first three picks were all 5pm games as I'd have thought 9pm would generally be stronger for ratings.
Yes, but remember total ratings may be higher with football at 5pm - eg
5pm football 5m, 9pm other prog 4m = 9m
5pm other prog 2m, 9pm football 6m = 8m
So football rates higher at 9pm but overall ratings higher with football at 5pm.
Above are just example numbers, but illustrate the point.
So can easily make sense to pick the 5pm game - especially if it's more attractive.
Also 5pm on Sat/Sun is a very good time for football so we are only really talking about the BBC's Tues 5pm pick - given that Mon 5pm was pick 8.
Simon Brotherton and Kevin Kilbane are doing France v Nigeria. Steve Wilson doing Costa Rica-Greece highlights and then Belgium v USA live.
From Simon and Steve's Twitter.
Simon Brotherton and Kevin Kilbane are doing France v Nigeria. Steve Wilson doing Costa Rica-Greece highlights and then Belgium v USA live.
From Simon and Steve's Twitter.
So we can take it from that Steve Bower has indeed done his last live game for BBC, good move.
From this tournament I would have to say Danny Murphy to appear on a far more regular basis would be my one wish. And the odd shift for Neville, Kilbane, Ferdinand and Lennon, other work permitting!
I enjoyed the Beeb's highlights show last night/this morning as I thought Mark Chapman had some great discussion with Murphy and Savage, they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was a bit where Chapman suggested Group H had been a weak group and Murphy said "Yeah, it has and, er... I'm just glad it's over, really!", and then laughed loudly. And during Goal of the Tournament Savage argued that a goal had been left out, but that Tim Cahill should still win it, and Murphy pointed out that it didn't matter then.
I'm surprised BBC didn't go for any of the Sunday games (even though they aren't that attractive) - the one day when there's no Wimbledon would seem the time for BBC to put World Cup games on if you ask me.
Yeah, I find that really bizarre, especially when you end up getting 5pm games on all the days they're showing Wimbledon. I know the argument here is that the 5pm games would rate well with less competition but it certainly splits the BBC audience with the World Cup and Wimbledon at the same time, when you'd assume they'd want both to get the spotlight. The other thing about missing Sunday out completely is that they Beeb have had to improvise a completely new schedule, not in any of the listings guides, with Death In Paradise at 9pm as they had Casualty on both Saturday and Sunday.
I think the Germany V Algeria line-up is their strongest in terms of not having either Wright or Cannavaro in it, though O'Neill is my favourite of their pundits. If they mainly focus on Hoddle, Dixon, Strachan and O'Neill I think they'll have the edge on the BBC and if it's Hoddle, Dixon and O'Neill for the final I reckon I'll watch ITV's coverage instead of the BBC's.
Really enjoyed the ITV coverage last night, I thought Gordon Strachan's discussion about how people get pious over Suarez when other footballers have done far worse things in real life and still get huge acclaim was the best bit of punditry of this World Cup. And Adrian announcing he was going to wrestle Gary Lineker was absolutely hilarious.
Someone said to me on Twitter last night that if you'd had O'Neill instead of Wright that would have been the best punditry line-up of either channel in this tournament, which I would probably agree with. It's a shame Strachan and O'Neill are never on the same game - I don't recall them doing the same games when they were working for the Beeb in 2006 and 2008 - though presumably they're wary of the discussion going on for hours and hours, they do like a chat.
Arius said Netherlands V Mexico was 2nd choice and Argentina V Switzerland was 3rd choice - I'm surprised at both, particularly the Argentina game. Seems a bit strange that the first three picks were all 5pm games as I'd have thought 9pm would generally be stronger for ratings.
Yes, frankly I'm baffled by this, I guess from a purely sporting perspective the Beeb have the best picks but scheduling wise certainly not, I don't see how you can go into it with first choice and end up with three 5pm games and only one 9pm game. Seems a total wasted opportunity. I'm also amazed Germany vs Algeria wasn't at least third choice, Germany are one of the favourites, it's an interesting match-up because of the history and also it's in primetime. Sounds more interesting than Argentina vs Switzerland, Messi or no.
I don't know much about the Tour de France but I have a feeling Brotherton has done a quarter-final in recent major tournaments. I also have a vague recollection of seeing somewhere that he wouldn't be doing the TdF this year because of the World Cup/Commonwealth Games but I could be completely wrong - as I say I have no interest in the cycling, I just thought I saw it somewhere in passing.
I think my favourite ITV line-up would be Hoddle, Dixon and O'Neill but Strachan instead of Hoddle would also be fine. It's a shame when Wright/Cannavaro are included with these guys but maybe if they want to keep using them the fear would be otherwise you'd end up with one very weak panel.
Steve, totally agree with you on the Germany pick, I was surprised it wasn't higher and like you say 3rd pick easily for the BBC, if they did have that pick.
Like I said before ITV have done well with their picks so far and I think the Germany game will attract a lot of interest and should have the highest figures for 9pm and will probably beat some of the 5.00 kick off's.
Worth noting that Tues is Ladies QFs - two games each on Centre and Number 1 Court - 1pm start - so it's actually very likely it's all finished by 5pm.
So in fact Wimbledon is not a key consideration on Tues.
There is no way BBC would have picked a 5pm game if Murray was playing that day - except of course on Mon where they are forced to have Mon 5pm as pick 8.
When we get to the QFs I think it's almost certain that Fri 5pm will be pick 4 (possibly France v Germany). If BBC has pick 4 there is no chance ITV will voluntarily take Fri 5pm as they won't want to go up against a Murray semi so they'll force BBC to take that slot - exactly as they did with Mon 5pm. If that happens, Murray may then become the 1st semi-final.
If ITV has pick 4 then BBC will make ITV have the Fri 5pm game and it'll be badly affected by Murray in the 2nd semi-final.
Worth noting that Tues is Ladies QFs - two games each on Centre and Number 1 Court - 1pm start - so it's actually very likely it's all finished by 5pm.
So in fact Wimbledon is not a key consideration on Tues.
There is no way BBC would have picked a 5pm game if Murray was playing that day - except of course on Mon where they are forced to have Mon 5pm as pick 8.
When we get to the QFs I think it's almost certain that Fri 5pm will be pick 4 (possibly France v Germany). If BBC has pick 4 there is no chance ITV will voluntarily take Fri 5pm as they won't want to go up against a Murray semi so they'll force BBC to take that slot - exactly as they did with Mon 5pm. If that happens, Murray may then become the 1st semi-final.
If ITV has pick 4 then BBC will make ITV have the Fri 5pm game and it'll be badly affected by Murray in the 2nd semi-final.
Yeah, I find that really bizarre, especially when you end up getting 5pm games on all the days they're showing Wimbledon. I know the argument here is that the 5pm games would rate well with less competition but it certainly splits the BBC audience with the World Cup and Wimbledon at the same time, when you'd assume they'd want both to get the spotlight.
Surely it is better for the BBC that the audience is split between BBC1 and BBC2 than between BBC1 and ITV?
Yes, frankly I'm baffled by this, I guess from a purely sporting perspective the Beeb have the best picks but scheduling wise certainly not, I don't see how you can go into it with first choice and end up with three 5pm games and only one 9pm game. Seems a total wasted opportunity. I'm also amazed Germany vs Algeria wasn't at least third choice, Germany are one of the favourites, it's an interesting match-up because of the history and also it's in primetime. Sounds more interesting than Argentina vs Switzerland, Messi or no.
Yes Germany are one of the favourites... but so are Argentina.
And most bookies seem to think Argentina are more likely to win than Germany (offering 7/2, compared to 4/1).
Phil Neville bows out in the studio tomorrow, Martin Keown is in the commentary box. Keown has had a poor tournament so far, disappointing as I don't remember him being this sub-standard before. He has got a lot of things wrong and seems too quick to moan. Time to step it up tomorrow in one of the tastiest looking contests.
Keown's doing Brazil? Bit surprising as I'd assumed that would go to Lawrenson - I guess now it will be Lawrenson and Murphy as co-commentators on Tuesday.
So who will the BBC have left for Tuesday in the studio once Neville goes? Hansen, Shearer, Juninho and...umm Murphy?! I guess someone like Savage or Kilbane might have to fill in.
Brazil V Chile - Mowbray and Keown
France V Nigeria - Brotherton and Kilbane
Argentina V Switzerland - Pearce and Lawrenson
USA V Belgium - Wilson and Murphy
Speight and Dixon's game is in Recife. What are the chances of them flying out there considering Dixon is in the studio in Rio on Saturday/Monday night? It would be really poor if they did a knockout game offtube considering they only have 4 of them!
I'm 99% sure the game will be done off-tube in Rio, as with all the other games they have done!!
I don't know much about the Tour de France but I have a feeling Brotherton has done a quarter-final in recent major tournaments. I also have a vague recollection of seeing somewhere that he wouldn't be doing the TdF this year because of the World Cup/Commonwealth Games but I could be completely wrong - as I say I have no interest in the cycling, I just thought I saw it somewhere in passing.
Yep. He did Ghana v Uruguay in 2010 alongside Mark Bright. Have to say I do miss Brighty, his tone gives something different to most of the Beeb's generic co-comms.
Yep. He did Ghana v Uruguay in 2010 alongside Mark Bright. Have to say I do miss Brighty, his tone gives something different to most of the Beeb's generic co-comms.
I don't think anyone else misses him. He was universally disliked on here.
Comments
Did someone not mention that Simon Brotherton was finishing the tournament early for some reason or is this after the last 16?
I would hazard a guess that Steve Bower has done his last live game, perhaps doing some highlights for this week?
Looks like Lawrenson will be getting the final barring a surprise somewhere along the lines.
Yes, but remember total ratings may be higher with football at 5pm - eg
5pm football 5m, 9pm other prog 4m = 9m
5pm other prog 2m, 9pm football 6m = 8m
So football rates higher at 9pm but overall ratings higher with football at 5pm.
Above are just example numbers, but illustrate the point.
So can easily make sense to pick the 5pm game - especially if it's more attractive.
Also 5pm on Sat/Sun is a very good time for football so we are only really talking about the BBC's Tues 5pm pick - given that Mon 5pm was pick 8.
From Simon and Steve's Twitter.
Colombia v Uruguay - Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend. Studio: Dixon, Wright, O'Neill
Holland v Mexico - Sam Matterface and Clarke Carlisle. Studio: Hoddle, Cannavaro, O'Neill.
Costa Rica v Greece - Joe Speight and Lee Dixon. Studio: Strachan, Hoddle, Wright, with Matt Smith.
Germany v Algeria - Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend. Studio: Dixon, Strachan, Hoddle.
So we can take it from that Steve Bower has indeed done his last live game for BBC, good move.
I enjoyed the Beeb's highlights show last night/this morning as I thought Mark Chapman had some great discussion with Murphy and Savage, they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was a bit where Chapman suggested Group H had been a weak group and Murphy said "Yeah, it has and, er... I'm just glad it's over, really!", and then laughed loudly. And during Goal of the Tournament Savage argued that a goal had been left out, but that Tim Cahill should still win it, and Murphy pointed out that it didn't matter then.
Yeah, I find that really bizarre, especially when you end up getting 5pm games on all the days they're showing Wimbledon. I know the argument here is that the 5pm games would rate well with less competition but it certainly splits the BBC audience with the World Cup and Wimbledon at the same time, when you'd assume they'd want both to get the spotlight. The other thing about missing Sunday out completely is that they Beeb have had to improvise a completely new schedule, not in any of the listings guides, with Death In Paradise at 9pm as they had Casualty on both Saturday and Sunday.
Really enjoyed the ITV coverage last night, I thought Gordon Strachan's discussion about how people get pious over Suarez when other footballers have done far worse things in real life and still get huge acclaim was the best bit of punditry of this World Cup. And Adrian announcing he was going to wrestle Gary Lineker was absolutely hilarious.
Someone said to me on Twitter last night that if you'd had O'Neill instead of Wright that would have been the best punditry line-up of either channel in this tournament, which I would probably agree with. It's a shame Strachan and O'Neill are never on the same game - I don't recall them doing the same games when they were working for the Beeb in 2006 and 2008 - though presumably they're wary of the discussion going on for hours and hours, they do like a chat.
Yes, frankly I'm baffled by this, I guess from a purely sporting perspective the Beeb have the best picks but scheduling wise certainly not, I don't see how you can go into it with first choice and end up with three 5pm games and only one 9pm game. Seems a total wasted opportunity. I'm also amazed Germany vs Algeria wasn't at least third choice, Germany are one of the favourites, it's an interesting match-up because of the history and also it's in primetime. Sounds more interesting than Argentina vs Switzerland, Messi or no.
Surely this would have to be his last match because the Tour de France starts next week, which he'll surely be covering for Five Live.
Oh, fair enough. I can see the point but I'd have thought that, with the Tour de France in Britain, they'd want their main cycling commentator on it.
I think my favourite ITV line-up would be Hoddle, Dixon and O'Neill but Strachan instead of Hoddle would also be fine. It's a shame when Wright/Cannavaro are included with these guys but maybe if they want to keep using them the fear would be otherwise you'd end up with one very weak panel.
Like I said before ITV have done well with their picks so far and I think the Germany game will attract a lot of interest and should have the highest figures for 9pm and will probably beat some of the 5.00 kick off's.
So in fact Wimbledon is not a key consideration on Tues.
There is no way BBC would have picked a 5pm game if Murray was playing that day - except of course on Mon where they are forced to have Mon 5pm as pick 8.
When we get to the QFs I think it's almost certain that Fri 5pm will be pick 4 (possibly France v Germany). If BBC has pick 4 there is no chance ITV will voluntarily take Fri 5pm as they won't want to go up against a Murray semi so they'll force BBC to take that slot - exactly as they did with Mon 5pm. If that happens, Murray may then become the 1st semi-final.
If ITV has pick 4 then BBC will make ITV have the Fri 5pm game and it'll be badly affected by Murray in the 2nd semi-final.
That's hoping he gets that far this year.
Surely it is better for the BBC that the audience is split between BBC1 and BBC2 than between BBC1 and ITV?
Yes Germany are one of the favourites... but so are Argentina.
And most bookies seem to think Argentina are more likely to win than Germany (offering 7/2, compared to 4/1).
He's made the Semi Finals in each of the last 5 years and he looks better than ever so far this year so it's a reasonable hope.
So who will the BBC have left for Tuesday in the studio once Neville goes? Hansen, Shearer, Juninho and...umm Murphy?! I guess someone like Savage or Kilbane might have to fill in.
Brazil V Chile - Mowbray and Keown
France V Nigeria - Brotherton and Kilbane
Argentina V Switzerland - Pearce and Lawrenson
USA V Belgium - Wilson and Murphy
https://soundcloud.com/jsonline/ir-1
I'm 99% sure the game will be done off-tube in Rio, as with all the other games they have done!!
Yep. He did Ghana v Uruguay in 2010 alongside Mark Bright. Have to say I do miss Brighty, his tone gives something different to most of the Beeb's generic co-comms.
Thanks, not my favourite commentator but he tries his best.
I don't think anyone else misses him. He was universally disliked on here.
Brazil vs Chile: John Murray, Alan Green and Kevin Kilbane
Colombia vs Uruguay: Mike Ingham, Chris Waddle and Ian Dennis
Netherlands vs Mexico: Conor McNamara and Pat Nevin
Costa Rica vs Greece: Alistair Bruce-Ball and Jason Roberts
France vs Nigeria: Darren Fletcher and Robbie Savage
Germany vs Algeria: John Murray and Chris Waddle
Argentina vs Switzerland: Alan Green and Danny Mills
Belgium vs USA: Conor McNamara, Alistair Bruce-Ball and Pat Nevin
Games shown on BBC will have these commentaries available on the red button.
I thought Alistair Bruce-Ball was in Salford while Conor McNamara and Pat Nevin are in Brazil?