BBC lines up World Cup coverage
May 8, 2014
By Colin Mann
The BBC is planning to deliver audiences every moment of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil (June 12th – July 13th) across television, radio and digital platforms, describing it as the first 24/7 World Cup.
The BBC plans that online, bbc.co.uk/worldcup will be the go to destination for fans looking for enhanced live coverage, every single goal, expert analysis, breaking news, exclusive content and interactive features – all available across any device at any time.
With 31 live matches on TV and over 160 hours of programming, including highlights and match replays across BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, their respective HD channels and the red button, plus 24 days of live football on Radio 5 live, and all content available to catch up on BBC iPlayer, the BBC will provide over 50 per cent more coverage available than in 2010.
The BBC says that audiences never need miss a minute of the tournament with BBC Sport’s enhanced digital coverage. Available across PC, tablet, mobile and connected TV, all the live video, radio, breaking news and highlights of every game will be available on any device, at any time. Online, BBC Sport will provide a wealth of exclusive content and interactive features, including a daily ‘World Cup breakfast’ video and Gary Lineker’s guide to World Cup penalty shootouts.
In addition to the football action, the BBC is producing a range of programmes across TV and radio that reflect the sights, sounds, culture and history of Brazil as well as delving deep into the heart of football, fronted by top names including David Beckham, Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand.
BBC News will be producing extensive live coverage on a daily basis serving a wide range of BBC outlets across TV, radio and online across the UK as well as BBC World News, the World Service, BBC Brasil and BBC’s Persian and Arabic services. There will also be comprehensive coverage, blogs and on-demand video available on the BBC News website and bbc.com.
Barbara Slater, Director, BBC Sport, says: “The BBC is the home of big sporting events and it doesn’t get much bigger than the World Cup. Our aim is for this to be the first truly 24/7 World Cup and we will deliver a complete experience for our audience through both traditional and digital platforms. We’ve put together a great cast of pundits, presenters, commentators and reporters to steer audiences though the tournament and we can’t wait to bring the infectious excitement of this competition to our viewers and listeners wherever and whenever they want it.”