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Have you decided which matches will be on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ & ITV? Also, how about getting some new pundits, the old guys are getting a bit boring.

One request - absolutely no mention of the word "England" during coverage of matches not involving England (and perhaps £1 to Sport Relief everytime it is. After a couple of Motson matches we could rebuild Haiti!)

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And no doubt this license fee payer would prefer that Delphsider as would many others. I'd rather the Beeb spent a bit extra to make this a bit special than skimped aqnd left us all feeling a bit flat, as was the case after the 2002 WC. Good blog and can't wait for the tournament to kick off!

@Phil Bigwood

Ignore the anti ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ comments, it is hardly a holiday for the staff, especially when there is more work for less people than last time.

Does the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have a plan if England get to the final or do you get a stadium box for broadcasting if England make the final?

It would be good to see a preview style show of the country the World Cup in like the Ski Sunday team did in Western Canada. You can make a programme about the country, key moments in history, visit some venues and the people who live near them.
It would be good to see a small segment on each city as each venue has a game played at it on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ covering that city and its region and meet people from that area and the fans. As the rounds progress you can update these segments.
It would be good if the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ provides any additional content via the red button, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ broadcast live music concerts from the Olympics games this year.

For the benefit of viwers if the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ broadcast the early afternoon England game can the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have an evening repeat on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ 3 and the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ HD channel? If the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ do only show 1 England game from the group stage it should also pick Portugal v Brazil to make up for having only 1 group stage game.

If you are providing HD can you please include 5.1 surround sound. As the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ HD website recommends viewers invest in one the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and ITV should bring the games in 5.1.

Will you employ any signal delay technology so that the HD pictures and SD pictures in digital are seen at the same time? Think summer time, neighbours windows are open and you hear shouts before you see the HD goal.

As the World Cup clashes with Wimbledon can you guarantee that only Wimbledon fixtures with a British player and the Mens and Womens final will have priority over non-England games.
Is the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport department making sure with Wimbledon there are no Andy Murray matches taking place on the same day as an England match? Considering how long a tennis game can take it would be a bad move to schedule them on the same day.

Cape Town is looking forward to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ in Cape Town.
I am in particular looking forward to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World News being presented from Cape Town.

In terms of "isolation", the Cape Town - Johannesburg air route is 5th busiest air route in the world.

The IBC in Johannesburg is surrounded by mine dumps, as of yet has no accommodation on site, is far from major hotel hubs and will therefore require transport from main hotel hubs to the IBC each day and is expensive to rent.

I have searched the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ sports schedules and can find no mention of the 2010 Paralympic Games currently taking place in Vancouver. I am very disappointed that it appears that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not providing coverage of this major international event. I have yet to see or hear the Games mentioned on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ news, other than Mike Bushell carrying the torch. Come on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, the Paralympians deserve some coverage. Alan Hale

YES! One major request that'll improve your coverage 100%.

I don't mind you using the usual pundits too, but you need to employ Tim Vickery for all South American matches.

He's one of the few pundits in world football who's every word I believe.

Can't wait.

Have you guys made the Opening sequence yet? loved the Euro 2004 one.

And what are your plans for the noise of the Vuvuzelas? Will the noise be drowned out?

Usual reports of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ daring to spend money to cover an event in the press today. £6m actually though sounds very reasonable to cover at least 32 games (less than £100,000 an hour, which is way cheaper than a couple of episodes of EastEnders) - though I'm not convinced on the need for nearly 300 staff considering you only needed just over 400 to cover the Olympics - which is way more than three footy matches a day.

However, would be quite fun just to make a point to the press if you just didn't send out anyone and see what they think when you've got games with no commentary and a blank screen during half time and at the final whistle. (Though actually on second thoughts I think many people would quite like that!)

If there is any event that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ should spend extra to try and get value for money for its viewers, then it should be the FIFA World Cup.

Media reports telling a nation of football fans the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and ITV shouldn't spend enough when they have already cut costs to cover the event will only lose them sales. I'm sure they will be all full feature pull outs in June to cash in as well.

@, gunner-zp

Vuvuzelas wern't a problem at the African Cup of Nations. Fans beating drums are far worse for noise issues.

Will anyone beat spain? Arguably the 3 best centre midfielders in the world supporting probably the two most natural finishers in the world, with amazing strength in depth and a much improved defence including probably the worlds best keeper. Anything can happen in 90 mins but I can't see it happening. Anyway really looking forward to it, hopefully I can still get ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ coverage as I'm in Spain for the final! An England Spain final would be amazing.

As somebody who has just joined the woodland trust, I respect anybody called Phil Bigwood.

Anyhoo:

1) Who will be commentating for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TV? I understand Motson is packing it in.

2) Will the Five Live World Football Phone-In continue throughout the summer?

3) Will you be getting a video archive up on t'interweb in the build-up to the tournament?

4) I really enjoyed the "World Cup Stories" series in May 2006. Will it be repeated?

5) When do you divvy the games up with ITV?

Ta.

I quite like the usual pundits and please ignore those who are calling for them to be replaced. I also agree with a previous post about not mentioning England during non-England games. Despite them not even being at euro 2008 they were still mentioned by the bbc and itv every other sentence.

I would quite like some build up shows maybe just available online previewing topics that maybe not big enough to be included in the main broadcasting shows, topics such as profiles of young players to watch out for, the form of some of the potential stars during this season, and interviews with players we don't normally get to hear from on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, although I hope you don't waste them like the Ibrahimovic interview where he spent half the interview answering questions about Mourinho.

Now that David Beckenham is not available to play in the World Cup, why not signed him as one of the team of experts to comment on the matches, before ITV sign him up.

Peter Patterson

"As importantly, however, our studio in TV Centre does not have the facilities to broadcast adequately in high definition, which I think would have disappointed a lot of people, given the profile of the event"

Does that mean the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ will finally be broadcasting the football in HD?

What I don't get also is exactly what the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ would reuse this studio for. Everything else the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ covers has studio arrangements in place, and the big events all have their own broadcast centres, so reusing the studio there would incur extra cost again.

Also, if you don't like the views at Johannesburg can't you just green screen in the views you want! Indeed going the CSO route could put the hosts in the right city for the right match - at fairly minimal cost.

I'd love to be an exec producer - can I assist you, no charge!

The things that you can do - to improve:

In the game:

- Could we have at least ONE 'knowledgeable' expert / commentator?

Tech:

- Distance to goal and mph of the shot
- Stats of players on introduction. Not everyone knows every player.
Builds interest!
- Cameras near the posts to capture the 'agonisingly close'!
- Use fly-cam for over-head video. There's a new 'noiseless' one, I hope!
If it could 'follow' the trajectory of the ball...!
- 'Reaction shots' - cannot ever have enough of them. esp. animated ones!

Off the game:

- Why people should visit the venues and the cities. A tourist look.

Etc. Etc.

HBS provide all the camera work at matches, as they have at previous World Cups. This World Cup will use the most cameras ever used inside a World Cup stadium to capture the action. This host broadcaster service, I assume is not related to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

@ Alan Hale

The Paralymic Games are covered here:

More cameras doesn't mean better though - just means the potential for more cuts from camera to camera, which might not be a good thing.

Re: technology - the FIFA dictator would probably not allow broadcasters can do this, but considering Hawkeye was used both in cricket and tennis as TV aides before being used for official decisions, would it be feasible for it to be used in a similar manner in football. (Not that it's needed - everyone but bloody Batter knows the 20 yr-old+ video replay technology would be sufficient in quickly determining most decisions)

Hi Phil

Re: Commentary Request-World Cup 2010

I have been a devoted viewer of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ football for several decades, the coverage is first-rate, utterly engaging commentary from presenters with a genuine knowledge of the game.

Like many others I look forward greatly to seeing the forthcoming World Cup, a feast of international football which eclipses all domestic and regional competitions. However I have noticed watching ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ coverage of both the World and European competitions, an increasing tendency for comments to feature throughtout games, that reference the Premiership, and or/what Premiership clubs are interested in such-and-such player.

Now some may consider this is relevant information, yet for me I cannot help but feel constant references during World Cup games to "the Aston Villa striker...Chelsea midfielder" etc devalues the magic of the viewing experience (plus fans are already acutely aware of which player belongs to a particular Premiership team).

I hope you may agree that the World Cup is supposed to over-arch all domestic competitions, it is unique, and as I say, magical. That status is somewhat demeaned when, during play itself, commentators are speculating about which Premiership side is interested in players on display.The message this suggests is that World Cup is some sort of 'cattle market' for the Premiership.

I'm pretty sure fans want nothing else than be totally immersed by this global event, to relish in the internationl skills on display, not to be reminded at regular intervals about our domestic leagues.

I sincerely hope you may give some thought to these points and that the World Cup will be presented with the usual degree of excellence, only the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ brings.

Wow!Being British & having lived in Cape Town for 16 years & Johannesburg for 25 years,sincerely hope the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not going to be making an expensive mistake......
Has anyone researched the weather patterns in these two locations?
Johannesburg June/July...Crisp,clear blue skies sunshine all winter....no rain! Light & sunny from early in the morning.
Cape Town June/July....Grey,Dark clouds,mostly rain & mist all winter, especially comming off the sea. Sunrise much later.
All glass, rain running down...with the sea mist/ rain or storms off the sea, need cleaning every day. Yes Cape Town very picturesque on a nice day, but there are not many in the winter. Sincerely hope ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ gets the views they expect... Good Luck & hope it all works out. Excellent coverage for Cape Town Tourism... well done guys! All the best to Cape Town & the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.

Are the rights fees for the World Cup split 50/50 with ITV, or do the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ pay a larger share because as in 2006, the division of matches seems to be in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's favour when it comes to England. ITV may get two guaranteed group games, but the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ gets every knock out game. ITV can simulcast the semi and final if England make it that far (so don't really know why I'm bringing this up), but we all know what happens when the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and ITV broadcast the same game.

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How long until the world cup wallchart from the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ will be available on the website?

Some good points raised by some of the posters above. A preview show of the host nation and each hosting city would provide excellent context and definitely add to the viewer's experience of the World Cup on television. South African cities other than Jo'burg and Cape Town don't get too much coverage on a global scale so promoting them would be a great way to set up the tournament. I also agree with the poster who wanted World Cup Stories back on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ2, I watched it every Sunday night in the build up to the 2006 World Cup; it really increased anticipation for the tournament plus it was a great show!

I have a few ideas....

WORLD CUP HISTORY SHOWS
I would like to see a series of programmes to be aired looking back at previous world cups, one episode for each world cup. Obviously the most recent ones would be easier to do, in fact I think the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have produced world cup review shows before so just replaying them would be good to get everyone in the mood.

BEST EVER WORLD CUP STADIUMS
A countdown through the best ever stadiums to be used in the World Cup, in terms of design, atmosphere, history etc.

PREVIEW SHOW FOR EACH TEAM/GROUP
Perhaps an hour long show, looking at each team in the group, that makes 8 episodes and gives every team a good 15 minute description. Shorter is budgets are too tight, much shorter, like a 20 minute episode then.

LIGHT HEARTED LATE NIGHT WORLD CUP CHAT SHOW
Similar to Baddiel and Skinner, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have enough contracted comedians from the likes of Mock the Week, who could assess daily the goings on in the competition.

Obviously you will have your customary best goals and best saves ever clips...

FAN PARK (Fan Fest) REPORTING
I would also like to see reporters standing by in the various fan parks in South Africa and the 7 in the world, especially the one in London. It will provide good context for how its being viewed across the world. I am sure you previously considered fan parks during 2006 but this time, for the first time, there are a limited few around the globe including one in London. This will provide positive publicity for our 2018 bid. I also hear that certain venues will be broadcasting the game in 3D, would be good to get an insight into that too.

AND FINALLY, something else I would like to see is.....
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ delve into social networking for the World Cup - i.e. facebook, twitter with updates etc.
i imagine there will be blogs... can that not be video blogs - i.e. a youtube channel? and something else for iplayer?

lots of good ideas..especially the pre world cup previews to build the excitement...My idea??? On the red button or the bbc3/4 channels,to show highlights of old classic matches?? eg...italy v w germany - 1970....france v w Germany 1982.....Algeria v W germany 1982...Brazil v Anyone 1982!!....Engalnd v argentina 1986 & 1998.....And even some more obscure games,like poland v Peru in 1982 and South Korea v Italy 2002.....Maybe im the only sad one who would love to spend all day every day watching old world cup games...But maybe im not!!!! :-)

A choice between Jo'burg and Cape Town is a no brainer and you did make the right choice, despite what an earlier commentator mentioned about the weather. The missing bit of info on the weather was that it is likely to be -3C and frosty every morning in Johannesburg, while Cape Town can't get that cold because of all the rain..oops, sorry.

A possible series you could do is on the South African premier soccer league teams around the country, who will benefit from the use of the World Cup stadia once the world press leave and what they in turn are doing to benefit youngsters in their regions.

Phil Bigwood said

"If you have any coverage ideas, I'd like to hear them and if you have any questions, I'll do my best to get answers"

Yet he has not done this

Looks like the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have listened to one my suggestions about social networking:

"Send to us at worldcupphotoalbum@bbc.co.uk, and keep an eye out for our pages on Facebook and Twitter, soon. "

Looking forward to the coverage - am in South Africa and the atmosphere has been abuzz with excitement for months now already... countdown clocks at every turn!

Good choice on Cape Town by the way!

Sizwe ()

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Any chance of seeing a preview of the polygon shaped glass studio?

I am a avid football fan and I particurly like to watch World Cup football. I was wondering what the average percentage will be of women watching the World Cup?

We are eagerly awaiting the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's worldcup football coverage and its first-class commentateries who have a genuine knowledge of the game.

Nice town and beautiful stadium.

Music for the coverage?

My vote goes to running Prydas Emos with the highlights bit. Banging feel good anthem that just builds and builds. Summer Football festival music. Check it out.......................

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It was a great world cup and the host were fantastic.