FIFA World Cup: Intro Wars - BBC vs ITV, part 3

Part One: http://badmoviehq.blogspot.com/2018/06/fifa-world-cup-intro-wars-bbc-vs-itv.html
Part Two: http://badmoviehq.blogspot.com/2018/06/fifa-world-cup-intro-wars-bbc-vs-itv_3.html


The final part of the ongoing battle between World Cup rivals BBC and ITV.

Germany 2006

ITV:

BBC:

Looking at the two, the title sequence for ITV is possibly better than BBC's but it really lets itself down with its music choice, a cover of  David Bowie's 'Heroes' by Kasabian. The BBC had returned to its artsy roots with shots of German landmarks, ethereal players and Handel's 'See, the Conqueroring Hero Comes!'. No offence to Kasabian but the intro package should really show something to give a flavour of the host nation. As former ITV commentator Andy Townsend would say, 'Not for me, Clive.'

Winner: BBC

Overall: BBC 4-3 ITV

South Africa 2010

ITV:

BBC:

South Africa 2010 and not a vuvuzela in sight. Bliss. This was a damn tough one to call as both organisations 'got it.' This World Cup was more than just South Africa, this World Cup was for all of Africa. After rewatching both several times, I'm going to go with ITV as Vusi Mahlasela's 'When You Come Back' is just a bit more memorable than 'Rainbow Nation' on the BBC. Sing, sing Africa indeed.

Winner: ITV

Overall: BBC 4-4 ITV

Brazil 2014

ITV:

BBC:

Forwarding on four years and the World Cup is back in South America for the first time since 1978 and once more both sides got what the World Cup was about. ITV's effort appears at first glance to be more minimalist. Nice editing on the split screen but not over elaborate. That theme song though, anyone who tells you they didn't go to bed humming 'Bra-zil,..Brazil,..Bra-zillll!' is a liar. BBC's is similar in terms of style but with the usual artsy touches. Steven Gerrard as a plastic figurine is just weird though. Stevie Wonder's 'Another Star' arguably means the BBC effort lacks some authenticity so I have to just about give the edge to ITV.

Winner: ITV

Overall: BBC 4-5 ITV

Russia 2018

BBC:

Obviously, I can't call a winner on this one as ITV haven't revealed their opening sequence yet but the BBC's will likely be based around the above in what the BBC are already calling their 'most ambitious' title sequence ever' involving the creation of a 1200m tapestry which was then animated. ITV will need pull out something special to beat that.

As long as there is a World Cup, a BBC and an ITV this war will continue. ITV may hold the lead for now but who knows what the future may bring.

FIFA World Cup: Intro Wars - BBC vs ITV, part 2

Part one here: http://badmoviehq.blogspot.com/2018/06/fifa-world-cup-intro-wars-bbc-vs-itv.html

Welcome to the second part of my review of World Cup coverage by Britain's two leading broadcasters (opinions are my own).

USA 94

ITV:

BBC:

The efforts of both companies at Italia '90 were great so inevitably at USA '94 they were both abysmal.

BBC went with the uninspiring choice of 'America' from West Side Story (because it's good to be reminded of how poorly treated immigrants are in America) and ITV went with...what the fuck is that? No, really, what is that? BBC's intro package was bad but ITV found the new circle of Hell with theirs.

Winner: BBC

Overall: BBC 2-2 ITV

France 1998

ITV:

BBC: 

Tough call this one as they are both fine efforts. Do you prefer the more sophisticated, cultured, operatic quality of the Beeb or ITV's Euro-synth-pop vibe? I've got to go with the BBC on this one as the overall presentation of their intro package was just that bit better than ITV's.

Winner: BBC 

Overall: BBC 3-2 ITV

Japan/Korea 2002

ITV: 

BBC:

The first World Cup tournament to be held in Asia (and in two countries), so Oriental vibes were the order of the day. This saw a role reversal from France '98 as the BBC went with 'Tarantula' by dance music royalty Faithless whilst ITV opted for 'Un Bel Di' ('One Fine Day') from the opera Madame Butterfly. I will give this one to ITV because their intro sequence does a better overall job of catching the Far Eastern flavour of the tournament.

Winner: ITV

Overall: BBC 3-3 ITV

FIFA World Cup: Intro Wars - BBC vs ITV part 1

The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is just 12 days away and excitement is hitting fever pitch.

A bit of a break from the norm on this blog, but with each World Cup it also brings the quadrennial battle between the BBC and ITV to have the best coverage. More specifically, the best theme and intro package. So why not take a look back at some and decide who was the winner?

Spain, 1982

Why start with Spain? No reason, its completely arbitrary but gotta start somewhere.

ITV:

BBC: 

Both are pretty generic but I've got to give the edge to the Beeb for being slightly less generic in its imagery. However, there is no way my inner fanboy is ever going to let Andrew Lloyd Webber have the win over Jeff Wayne so I'm going with ITV.

Winner: ITV

Overall: BBC 0-1 ITV

Mexico 1986

ITV: 

BBC:

A tough call this one. In terms of presentation, BBC wins hands down with all the Aztec imagery but the music is shite. Over on ITV though, it's hard to look past 'Aztec Gold', that would become the main theme tune for 'Saint and Greavise' until their run ended in 1992. I've got to give ITV the edge on this one too.

Winner: ITV

Overall: BBC 0-2 ITV

Italy 1990

ITV: 

BBC:

No contest on this one. The ITV effort is actually pretty damn good but think of Italia '90 and almost immediately you can see Gazza's tears with Luciano Pavarotti singing 'Nessun Dorma' (translation: 'none shall sleep') over the top. A win for Auntie.

Winner: BBC

Overall: BBC 1-2 ITV