As England lost a narrow, nervy Women’s World Cup final, the BBC and ITV – without even a Lionesses goal to describe, let alone a chance to show them becoming world champions – were left playing a tight game with few opportunities to show any presenting or commentating flair. In the end, with its greater experience and depth of talent – as well as some curious tactical decisions from ITV – the Beeb edged it.
ITV started bullishly, opening its coverage 20 minutes before its rival and showcasing its pitchside dream team of analysts: Emma Hayes, Jill Scott and the tireless women’s football advocate Ian Wright, chatting to Katie Shanahan. Once their first segment had finished, however, the weakness in the way ITV had set up became clear. The camera cut back to the main presenter, Laura Woods, and a pair of summarisers, Eni Aluko and Karen Carney, who proceeded to dominate the coverage from the quiet confines of a studio.
