[Flyer 10]

Originally Posted by mikey1980

But as has been pointed out, four of the six England and Republic of Ireland group matches will be on ITV. They also get 2nd and 3rd pick of the quarter finals, which I think is a better, more flexible choice than having 1st and 4th. And of course, they'll be showing the final, unlike in 2008.

I hate to be pessimistic, but it's unlikely that either England or Ireland will still be in the competition come semi-final stage. I guess ITV have gambled on that scenario, and have picked up the majority of the guaranteed 'home' matches. Makes sense to me.

ITV clearly win the groups but BBC clearly win the 1/4 and 1/2 finals.

1st and 4th beats 2nd and 3rd pick every time, especially if England qualify. The BBC and both semis and the final so they clearly win that too.

[Andy Rimmer]

Originally Posted by Flyer 10

1st and 4th beats 2nd and 3rd pick every time, especially if England qualify.

Baring in mind also that England would likely play Spain, Italy or Ireland in the Quarter Finals on a Saturday or Sunday Night, its a huge exclusive for them. The other games won't come close to that with Group A being such a dud group.

[SouthCity]

ITV have gone for the matches which will definitely take place involving England & Ireland so that they can sell these to advertisers. It's a good commercial decision for them. It also works well for viewers because the semis and the final will be advert-free on the BBC.

England are unlikely to qualify for the QFs from a group involving France, Sweden & hosts Ukraine. They are very likely to be third or fourth in the group, especially when the usual end-of-season fatigue factor is taken into account.

[sparkie70]

Originally Posted by mikey1980

But as has been pointed out, four of the six England and Republic of Ireland group matches will be on ITV. They also get 2nd and 3rd pick of the quarter finals, which I think is a better, more flexible choice than having 1st and 4th. And of course, they'll be showing the final, unlike in 2008.

I hate to be pessimistic, but it's unlikely that either England or Ireland will still be in the competition come semi-final stage. I guess ITV have gambled on that scenario, and have picked up the majority of the guaranteed 'home' matches. Makes sense to me.

ITV don't want a repeat of the last WC when picks were decided where England finished in the group.
They have without question the best picks in the group stage, two from England, two Republic of Ireland games, the best from group B & two decent games from Group A.

The BBC have Holland v Germany & Germany v Portugal.

The BBC then takes over from the knock out stage & having two semi-finals is great for the BBC.

[mlt11]

We know BBC had 1st pick and picks then alternated so I think the likely pick order must have been:

1. BBC - Quarter-final - 1st pick
2. ITV - England v Ukraine
3. BBC - England v Sweden
4. ITV - England v France
5. BBC - Semi-final - 1st pick
6. ITV - Ireland v Spain
7. BBC - Ireland v Italy
8. ITV - Ireland v Croatia
9. BBC Semi-final - 2nd pick

[stato77]

Originally Posted by mlt11

We know BBC had 1st pick and picks then alternated so I think the likely pick order must have been:

1. BBC - Quarter-final - 1st pick
2. ITV - England v Ukraine
3. BBC - England v Sweden
4. ITV - England v France
5. BBC - Semi-final - 1st pick
6. ITV - Ireland v Spain
7. BBC - Ireland v Italy
8. ITV - Ireland v Croatia
9. BBC Semi-final - 2nd pick

I don't understand why the BBC would have picked the Sweden match ahead of France? Does it clash with another sporting event?

[mlt11]

Originally Posted by stato77

I don't understand why the BBC would have picked the Sweden match ahead of France? Does it clash with another sporting event?

Sweden is prime-time - 7.45pm.

France is 5pm.

[KarlHyde]

From a foreign perspective, I find it interesting that Ireland matches seem to be so valuable for British broadcasters. Is this due to the fact that most ROI player earn their money in the Premier League, or is it just an old rivalry?

Will many people in Scotland, Wales, and N.I. root for the Republic? And what about viewers in England?

[The Wanderer]

Originally Posted by KarlHyde

From a foreign perspective, I find it interesting that Ireland matches seem to be so valuable for British broadcasters. Is this due to the fact that most ROI player earn their money in the Premier League, or is it just an old rivalry?

Will many people in Scotland, Wales, and N.I. root for the Republic? And what about viewers in England?

I imagine a mixture of Irish expats in the UK, a chunk of people in Northern Ireland who would rather support Ireland, and the BBC and ITV being easily available in Ireland

Personally, I'll be wanting to Ireland to do well, because of family connections

[The Difference]

Originally Posted by KarlHyde

From a foreign perspective, I find it interesting that Ireland matches seem to be so valuable for British broadcasters. Is this due to the fact that most ROI player earn their money in the Premier League, or is it just an old rivalry?

Will many people in Scotland, Wales, and N.I. root for the Republic? And what about viewers in England?

As well as the reasons stated by The Wanderer, I think one of the main reasons for a British support of the Republic of Ireland is due to simple geographical factors. Although not part of the UK, Ireland is part of the "British Isles" so there is always going to be an affinity between the two countries, especially when you add in the long-standing ex-patriot communities on either side of the Irish Sea.

Personally speaking from the English Midlands, ROI are the second team international football-wise for a lot of the people I know or have known (although I've always been around quite a lot of people with Irish heritage) and while living in Wales, Ireland (both in football and rugby union) seemed to have an even greater second team support due to the "fellow Celt" factor. Like The Wanderer, I'll be cheering for the Republic of Ireland in the summer.

[ariusuk]

Originally Posted by stato77

I don't understand why the BBC would have picked the Sweden match ahead of France? Does it clash with another sporting event?

Originally Posted by mlt11

Sweden is prime-time - 7.45pm.

France is 5pm.

That answers why ITV would pick Sweden ahead of France, but the BBC isn't supposed to be chasing ratings.

[SamuelW]

I couldnt find a thread about Euro 2012 coverage which is now less than two weeks away. Here's the details we have about the personnel involved in the BBC and Itvs coverage of the championship and the matches each broadcaster is showing:

BBC
Presenters: Gary Lineker, Colin Murray, Manish Bhasin
Pundits: Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer, Lee Dixon, Harry Redknapp, Clarence Seedorf, Jurgen Klinsmann, Niall Quinn, David James, Robbie Savage
Lead Commentator: Guy Mowbray, Steve Wilson, Jonathan Pearce, Simon Brotherton
Co Commentator: Mark Lawrenson, Martin Keown, Mick McCarthy, Mark Bright
Reporters: Gabby Logan, Jake Humphrey, Dan Walker, Damian Johnson

ITV
Presenters: Adrian Chiles, Matt Smith
Pundits: Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, Jamie Carragher, Roberto Martinez, Gareth Southgate, Andy Townsend, Gordon Strachan
Lead Commentator: Clive Tyldesley, Peter Drury, Jon Champion, Joe Speight
Co Commentator: Andy Townsend, Jim Beglin, Craig Burley
Reporters: Gabriel Clarke, Ned Bolting

- BBC Press Pack
- ITV Press Pack

Matches
Fri 8 June
BBC Poland v Greece: 17.00 Warsaw
ITV Russia v Czech: 19.45 Wroclaw
Sat 9 June
BBC Holland v Denmark 17.00 Kharkiv
BBC Germany v Portugal 19.45 Lviv
Sun 10 June
ITV Spain v Italy: 17.00 Gdansk
ITV Ireland v Croatia: 19.45 Poznan
Mon 11 June
ITV France v England: 17.00 Donetsk
BBC Ukraine v Sweden: 19.45 Kiev
Tues 12 June
ITV Greece v Czech: 17.00 Wroclaw
ITV Poland v Russia: 19.45 Warsaw
Wed 13 June
ITV Denmark v Portugal: 17.00 Lviv
BBC Holland v Germany: 19.45 Kharkiv
Thurs 14 June
BBC Italy v Croatia: 17.00 Poznan
ITV Spain v Ireland: 19.45 Gdansk
Fri 15 June
ITV Ukraine v France: 17.00 Donetsk
BBC Sweden v England: 19.45 Kiev
Sat 16 June
BBC Greece v Russia: 19.45 Warsaw
BBC Poland v Czech: 19.45 Wroclaw
Sun 17 June
ITV Portugal v Holland 19.45 Kharkiv
ITV Denmark v Germany: 19.45 Lviv
Mon 18 June
BBC Croatia v Spain 19.45 Gdansk
BBC Italy v Ireland: 19.45 Poznan
Tues 19 June
ITV Sweden v France: 19.45 Kiev
ITV England v Ukraine: 19.45 Donestsk
Thu 21 June
Quarter-final TBA: 19.45 Warsaw (BBC has 1st and 4th QF picks, ITV: 2nd and 3rd picks)
Fri 22 June
Quarter-final TBA 19.45 Gdansk
Sat 23 June
Quarter final TBA 19.45 Donetsk
Sun 24 Jun
Quarter-finals TBA 19.45 Kiev
Wed 27 Jun/Thu 28 Jun
Semi-finals TBA 19.45 (Both live on BBC)
Sun 1 July
Final BBC & ITV 19.45 Kiev
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I think BBCs pundits are stronger than ITVs. Clarence Seedorf was excellent last time he was working for the BBC and you know what you're getting with Alan Hansen. Id say the commentators are at a similar level. Who do you think has the better lineup?

[SamuelW]

BBC and ITV have launched their Euro 2012 promos:

- BBC ('For The Pride of Europe'): http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18218458
- ITV ('It's Good To Dream'): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7UmvGSzCTE

Two different approaches. BBC have animation with classy music, although it looks a bit like a Harry Potter quidditch match. ITV showing some old clips with a twist which England fans can dream about. Which promo do you prefer?

[batdude_uk1]

I do quite like both of the promo's, each in their own way. ITV's is cleaver editing, which turns out to be not too shabby I think.

[degsyhufc]

Co Commentator: Mark Lawrenson, Martin Keown, Mick McCarthy, Mark Bright

What an awful lineup.

[AZ fan]

All the build up to a big tournament. We open the Euros with the host nation...and get Steve Wilson and Mark Bright! What a let down.

[Mark F]

Redknapp isn't going now.

Will somebody say "none of these players" would get into the England side regarding the opposition again.



Usually the radio coverage is better.

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by Mark F

Usually the radio coverage is better.

Every match will be live on 5Live or 5LiveSX
Presenters:
Mark Pougatch
Mark Chapman
Colin Murray
Commentators:
Mike Ingham
Alan Green
John Murray
Darren Fletcher
Conor McNamara
Alistair Bruce-Ball
Summarisers & Pundits:
Chris Waddle
Graham Taylor
Danny Mills
Kevin Kilbane
Jan Molby
Pat Nevin
Steve McClaren
Robbie Savage
John Motson
David Pleat

[The Difference]

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

Every match will be live on 5Live or 5LiveSX

talkSPORT will also be broadcasting live commentary of every match of Euro 2012 (presumably four clashing final group games will be DAB and/or talkSPORT.co.uk only commentaries). They haven't released a comprehensive list of their coverage team but we know the following will be involved:

Presenters: Mark Saggers, Adrian Durham, Darren Gough, Richard Keys and Andy Gray
Commentators: Sam Matterface, Nigel Pearson, John Roder and Ian Danter
Co-commentators: Stan Collymore, Andy Gray and Alvin Martin
Reporters: Ian Abrahams, John Anderson and David Brady

Saggers and Durham will host the live games with the Keys & Gray and Drive Time with Durham and Gough programmes also coming live from the host nations.

[sporter92]

Presenters: Bill O’Herlihy & Darragh Maloney
Pundits: Didi Hamann, John Giles, Eamon Dunphy, Liam Brady, Kenny Cunningham & Richie Sadlier
Commentators: George Hamilton, Peter Collins, Stephen Alkin & Ger Canning
Co-Commentators: Ray Houghton, Ronnie Whelan, Trevor Steven & Brian Kerr

Pretty much the same for RTE but no Matt Holland, Graham Souness or Kevin Kilbane from the 2010 World Cup

[sigmundv]

I will be watching the matches on RTE TWO here in Ireland. Only because of the pundits. I didn't see RTE in 2010, but I saw some of the World Cup punditry on YouTube. It's a pity they haven't retained Graeme Souness as a pundit though. He is one of the best. Is Souness working for any broadcaster at the Euros?

[thelastword]

I am surprised that Marcel Desailly isn't involved with ITV's coverage, shame I've always enjoyed his contributions.

[sigmundv]

Originally Posted by thelastword

I am surprised that Marcel Desailly isn't involved with ITV's coverage, shame I've always enjoyed his contributions.

Yes, it's surprising. He'll probably be working with French TV then.

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by The Difference

talkSPORT will also be broadcasting live commentary of every match of Euro 2012 (presumably four clashing final group games will be DAB and/or talkSPORT.co.uk only commentaries).

Seems odd that they want to try and go up against the BBC, but if they chose the matches they broadcast on AM right they could do quite well.

[batdude_uk1]

Originally Posted by thelastword

I am surprised that Marcel Desailly isn't involved with ITV's coverage, shame I've always enjoyed his contributions.

He annoyed me at the last World Cup, he just kept changing sides, first he was French, and then when Ghana were on, he was from that nation!
Just pick a side, how hard is it??!!