Following the introduction of the World Cup panel in 1970 armchair viewers would enjoy something of a ratings tussle over the next two decades as both the BBC and ITV fought it out to win our affections with an array of high-profile guests and innovative ideas.
Twenty years of TV gold, not to mention a number of forgettable faux pas, followed as the two biggest broadcasters in the country set about capturing the attention of the nation, often with varying results; so just who won this televisual war of the World Cups?
West Germany 1974
ITV
After the success of their 1970 World Cup panel ITV opted for the same format with Old Big ‘ead himself Brian Clough now joining Paddy Crerand, Derek Dougan and Jack Charlton around the table along with host Brian Moore. One other notable innovation was the introduction of a live phone-in which allowed viewers to pose their own questions to the pundits; providing valuable insight as well as more than a few awkward moments.
BBC
In an astonishing switch former ITV host Jimmy Hill was now fronting the Beeb’s World Cup coverage from West London along with Frank Bough and guests such as Joe Mercer and Frank McLintock while Barry Davies and John Motson commentated on the games from afar, even so the tried and tested formula of ITV’s panel would once more prove to be a hit with the viewers.
SCORE: BBC 0 ITV 1
Argentina 1978
ITV
As the Tartan Army headed to Argentina in their droves ITV once more decided to remain at home and utilise Brian Moore’s magnificent presenting skills while watching the games in a studio bathed in beige while high-profile guests such as Kevin Keegan and Johan Cruyff often dropped by to give their expert insight, not to mention the only Scotsman who wasn’t in South America that summer; a certain gentleman cutting his teeth in the world of punditry, Andy Gray.
BBC
Once more taking their cue from ITV, the BBC opted for a more informal approach to their coverage which included an early evening magazine show as Trevor Brooking and Bob Wilson fielded phone questions from young viewers who probably weren’t even allowed to stay up late for the live games; though the only real difference between the two was their incredibly catchy theme tune ‘Argentine Melody,’ penned by a certain Andrew Lloyd-Webber, which sways the vote on this occasion.
SCORE: BBC 1 ITV 1
Spain 1982
ITV
Brian Clough rightly kept his place on the ITV panel with his forthright opinions but would be joined by John Bond and Mick Channon as Brian Moore once again performed the role of referee. A young Martin Tyler made his World Cup debut as he called the games live from Spain, ably backed up by roving reporters Nick Owen and Elton Welsby, while Spain ’82 also saw the first appearance of Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves; a duo who would become one of the most prolific in sports broadcasting for the next decade and a winning combination on this occasion too.
BBC
In a blend of youth and experience that Ron Greenwood would have been proud of David Coleman replaced Frank Bough in the studio for presenting duties while Bobby Charlton, Lou Macari and Garth Crooks were handed their World Cup debuts as pundits. This was also the World Cup that introduced a somewhat fresh faced Des Lynam to the nation and, though we didn’t know it at the time, he would go on to become a key player in future tournaments.
SCORE: BBC 1 ITV 2
Mexico 1986
ITV
This would be Brian Moore’s last in the studio as host as he was once again joined by an array of guests with Martin Tyler resuming full commentary duties, only for Moore to travel to Mexico and relieve him of his duties for the final. Meanwhile, following their popularity four years earlier Saint & Greavsie become the undisputed stars of the World Cup, not least for welcoming outspoken opinions from the likes of Bobby Davro and Jim Davidson in a studio which resembled a prototype for the Blind Date set.
BBC
Having proved his worth four years earlier the aforementioned Des Lynam was thrust into the presenter’s chair for Mexico ’86 in one of the bravest decisions in broadcasting while late night games once again called for an early evening round-up hosted by Bob Wilson and an excitable Emlyn Hughes. Innovation, however, was as thin on the ground as the air was in Guadalajara as the pundits, which included a certain Martin O’Neil were asked to predict their World Cup winners only to be humiliated as their pictures were torn down after the side they tipped was eliminated.
SCORE: BBC 1 ITV 3
Italy 1990
ITV
In something of a major scoop ITV would boast the future England manager as their main man for the World Cup of 1990 as Bobby Robson’s replacement to be, Graham Taylor, joined the ever impressive Elton Welsby who spearheaded a two-man attack live from Italy. With Welsby on location Nick Owen would hold the fort back in London along with newcomer Hazel Irvine and the ever reliable Saint & Greavsie as Jim sported an array of cheap t-shirts carrying a selection of mildly amusing messages and poor puns, though the humour would fade almost as quickly as the shirts themselves after week one.
BBC
The Beeb was now fully embracing the World Cup panel as Des was joined by broadcasting veteran Jimmy Hill along with Bob Wilson, Terry Venables, Kenny Dalglish and Ray Wilkins. However, there may as well have only been one man on our screens as Lynam confirmed his role as the viewer’s favourite with a series of smooth sound bites and whopping one liners; no more so than when after the first airing of the iconic “Nessun Dorma” theme music he stared down the barrel and announced to the watching millions: “You’ll be humming it soon.” He wasn’t wrong.
SCORE: ITV 2 BBC 3
USA 1994
ITV
The fact that ITV had been so innovative over the past 20 years made it all the more surprising that their coverage of one of the most popular World Cups ever was so inept. Rather than having a panel at home discuss events or even a base at the stadium or town in question, ITV did neither and decided to cover all their games from a bunker in Dallas while host Matthew Lorenzo asked an uninspiring array of guests like Don Howe and Denis Law for their thoughts on what was going on hundreds if not thousands of miles away.
BBC
Perhaps knowing the lack of competition the BBC were able to win the ratings war with ease even without their go-to-guy Des Lynam who, for two weeks of the tournament, hosted Wimbledon instead. Even so, veteran understudy Bob Wilson was able to call upon all of his experience, as well as the thoughts of David Baddiel and Frank Skinner in an innovative performance which would eventually see him poached by ITV for the next World Cup in France. Only one winner here.
FINAL SCORE: ITV 3 BBC 3
