Across many towns and cities in England, anticipation for the first match of England’s World Cup campaign was building.
Taking advantage of the late kick off, English fans flocked to pubs to guzzle down warm beer and watch the two other games. Then it was time for business – the overpriced replica tops came off as excitement for the game grew. Shouts of ?Ingurlund? could be heard for miles around.
Given the honour of broadcasting the game was ITV. Known for only receiving high ratings when X Factor and Britain?s Got Talent is on, this was a major coup for the broadcaster. Of course it would be paramount to ensure that everything went smoothly and without any technical glitches, wouldn't it? You?d expect so but, in the age of the digital revolution, everything went tits up if you were watching in HD. Perhaps it was karma rewarding those who haven't forked out thousands on technology they don't need.
We've been led to believe that HD stands for High Definition. If you've ever wanted to see a droplet of human sweat drip off a footballer?s forehead, you now can thanks to the power of HD. But after last night?s cock up, it's more Highly Disappointing than anything. For those who missed the moment when an advert interrupted Steven Gerrard?s fourth-minute goal, here you go:
At least we can say that the power of technology allows us to see the discarded orange peel in all its glory, so we know it works. However, it isn't the first time that ITV have cut to adverts and ruined the enjoyment of people who want to see men run around in polyester shorts. Only last year, a match between Liverpool and Everton cut to an advert when a decisive goal was scored. In retrospect, that probably was a good thing. Who wants to see a stadium of Scousers with awful hair?
Unless you're a Scottish/Irish/Welsh football fan who is sick to death of the hype surrounding England this will no doubt come as a massive laugh to those who support countries who are even worse at football than England. Naturally ITV released a statement about the situation before everone converted to rugby, or even worse, golf:
“A transmission problem temporarily affected ITV1’s HD service during the England/USA match.?
Even the chief of ITV was a bit narked off by the broadcast disturbance and called it ?inexcusable?. You go Michael Grade, with stern words like that people will be nervous to come back to work, especially if you're going to deliver those sorts of bollockings.
Annoyingly, ITV have the England v Algeria came that kicks off on June 18. The only thing that can worsen the match cutting to the adverts is the commentary being replaced with The One Show theme tune from ex-presenter Adrian Chiles.
Full match report – sort of – coming later today.
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