ITV and BBC reach agreement on WC coverage

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The UK’s free-to-air TV stations, ITV and BBC, have reached an agreement on how it will share coverage of this summer’s World Cup in Germany. The stations have been negotiating for weeks on how to share the coverage, especially games involving the English national team.

Per the agreement, ITV will broadcast two first-round English national team games, and, in return, the BBC will have first pickings in the later rounds. The BBC will broadcast England’s opening game against Paraguay on June 10, and ITV will broadcast England’s game against Sweden (June 15) and Trinidad & Tobago (June 20). In the round of 16, the BBC will have the first pick of games, with ITV getting picks two and three. The remaining five games will be divided between both. In the quarterfinals, the BBC will pick first and fourth, with ITV picking third and fourth. If England reaches the semifinal, both will air the game live. If England does not make the semifinals, ITV will have first pick. Both will air the World Cup final.