ITV’s Coverage Has the X-Factor
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A bit of an Anglo-centric observation, this, but one that is worth making.
Live broadcasts of every major tournament in Britain is shared equally between the state-funded BBC and the commercial ITV, with both organisations broadcasting the final live.
Traditionally, the BBC trounces ITV in the ratings for the final (thanks in part to having no commercials), and generally wins the plaudits for having the better coverage. But so far this summer it has been ITV—so often rightly accused of pandering to the lowest common denominator—who have provided the better service.
Everything from their charming, stop motion animated titles to their studio location on site in Warsaw, via the more engaging and less complacent pundit, ITV have been better than the BBC. Ratings for the final on July 1 will be interesting to see.
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