WITH iconic BBC football highlights show Match of the Day under threat, a Premier League highlights show at another broadcaster could look VERY different.
Following controversy surrounding the impartiality of host Gary Lineker, MOTD now faces being taken off air with a bidding war for the Premier League highlights package set to take place.
The BBC currently pay £211million for the package, but bidding for Prem TV rights for homeland broadcasters is set to begin anew this year.
It could see the iconic programme lose its spot on the BBC, with ITV a potential new home, though they have not held the rights since 2004.
But what might this new programme look like?
HOST – LAURA WOODS
Laura Woods is perhaps the most obvious choice to take over from Lineker as host of a new highlights show.
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She is already a host on the broadcaster for some FA Cup games and is the main presenter for it’s NFL coverage.
Woods also has experience presenting on Sky Sports, while her witty banter has also seen her become a popular radio host on talkSPORT.
Other candidates for the role include Mark Pougatch, who has led ITV football coverage since 2015, and Jules Breach, who is regularly seen presenting BT Sport Score.
PUNDIT – ROY KEANE
Roy Keane is regular viewing for watchers of ITV and Sky Sports, with his blunt punditry style winning many fans.
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The Manchester United legend worked with ITV on both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and is regularly seen on Sky Sports during their Super Sunday shows.
PUNDIT – JILL SCOTT
Queen of the Jungle Jill Scott – who will also appear at Soccer Aid – is a popular choice among those who could be brought into the fold for ITV’s new programme.
The former Women’s Super League star and England Women’s International has previously done punditry work on Sky Sports and for ITV during the World Cup.
PUNDIT – ALLY MCCOIST
It’s safe to say Ally McCoist is one of the most popular pundits in the country.
His passion for the beautiful game saw him land the “pundit of the year” award at the Sports Journalist Association awards.
His punditry work list includes the likes of BT Sport and ITV, while he has already struck up an iconic partnership alongside Woods on talkSPORT.
PUNDIT – ENI ALUKO
Eni Aluko is another pundit with a strong CV and experience on ITV, bringing a good level of analysis in each appearance.
She became the first female pundit on MOTD back in 2014 before joining ITV in 2016 to work on the European Championships. She has since worked on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups with the broadcaster.
PUNDIT – IAN WRIGHT
Ian Wright is a mainstay on the current MOTD, and with him currently working on ITV for the FA Cup and for England games, Wright’s inclusion would be a no-brainer for ITV chiefs.
However, having already shown solidarity with Lineker (albeit for a very different reason), Wright may choose not to return in a similar capacity and instead stay as a match day pundit.
Other options ITV could opt for include Karen Carney, Jermaine Defoe, Joe Cole and Lee Dixon.
COMMENTATOR – SAM MATTERFACE
Sam Matterface is currently the lead commentator for ITV football coverage, so there seems little sense in changing this.
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Similarly to MOTD, there would likely be a high number of commentators working during a match day.
This could see the likes of Clive Tyldesley given more work while MOTD commentators such as Guy Mowbry could also be drafted over.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
