BBC Plots Remote Coverage of 2026 World Cup to Cut Costs, Leaving Some Critics Wondering How Other Broadcasters Will Manage
The BBC is facing criticism for its plan to cover some games at next summer's 48-team World Cup remotely in order to cut costs. The decision marks a significant departure from the broadcaster's previous approach, which has been criticized for relying on an enormous staff of commentators and pundits.
Under the new plan, TV commentators and pundits will be based in Salford, Greater Manchester, while covering lower-demand games. However, it is expected that the BBC will still have its top commentators in the US for major games, including those played by home nations like England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Insiders claim that the broadcaster's plan to limit commentary teams to specific games and hubs will be a logistical challenge, especially considering the vast distances involved. The tournament is scheduled to take place across three countries - the US, Canada, and Mexico - with games starting as early as 2am BST.
Gary Lineker, the former BBC star who recently signed a deal with Netflix for his podcast "The Rest is Football," has expressed skepticism about remote commentary. The former England striker believes that commentators would prefer to be in the stadium, saying, "There is not a commentator in captivity that would not prefer to be in the stadium...The technique of commentating on a football match in the stadium is easier and more accurate than commentating off a screen."
Lineker's concerns highlight the difficulties faced by broadcasters in adapting to changing viewing habits and the increasing demand for live sports content. As streaming services like Netflix continue to invest heavily in sports rights, the traditional broadcast model is under pressure.
The BBC's decision to cut costs through remote commentary has raised questions about the future of live broadcasting and how other networks will manage to deliver high-quality coverage from a distance.
The BBC is facing criticism for its plan to cover some games at next summer's 48-team World Cup remotely in order to cut costs. The decision marks a significant departure from the broadcaster's previous approach, which has been criticized for relying on an enormous staff of commentators and pundits.
Under the new plan, TV commentators and pundits will be based in Salford, Greater Manchester, while covering lower-demand games. However, it is expected that the BBC will still have its top commentators in the US for major games, including those played by home nations like England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Insiders claim that the broadcaster's plan to limit commentary teams to specific games and hubs will be a logistical challenge, especially considering the vast distances involved. The tournament is scheduled to take place across three countries - the US, Canada, and Mexico - with games starting as early as 2am BST.
Gary Lineker, the former BBC star who recently signed a deal with Netflix for his podcast "The Rest is Football," has expressed skepticism about remote commentary. The former England striker believes that commentators would prefer to be in the stadium, saying, "There is not a commentator in captivity that would not prefer to be in the stadium...The technique of commentating on a football match in the stadium is easier and more accurate than commentating off a screen."
Lineker's concerns highlight the difficulties faced by broadcasters in adapting to changing viewing habits and the increasing demand for live sports content. As streaming services like Netflix continue to invest heavily in sports rights, the traditional broadcast model is under pressure.
The BBC's decision to cut costs through remote commentary has raised questions about the future of live broadcasting and how other networks will manage to deliver high-quality coverage from a distance.
it's gonna be sick to watch sports in a whole new way, you know? maybe one day they'll even have VR commentary 
wouldn't that be wild? anyway, back to the BBC thing... i feel like remote commentary is just gonna become the norm now. how's everyone else gonna make it work? 
i was gonna pay like 50 bucks but now its only 20 
anyway, back to football... remote commentary? thats just crazy talk lol what about the atmosphere at the stadium? it cant be replicated on screen 
. I've heard some of my mates who work in broadcasting and they're like "come on, it's not that hard" but when you're actually doing it, it's different. It's all about atmosphere and energy, and sitting at home just isn't the same.
when you wanna save some clams but still gotta bring the heat 
]
. The BBC just told us that they're gonna be doing some games remotely at the 2026 World Cup? That's just lazy 
. What's next? Sending out robots to do commentary jobs? 
.