BBC pundits address ITV ‘rivalry’ at Euro 2024 and compare live England coverage to MOTD
Alan Shearer was asked about the 'rivalry' between BBC and ITV pundits at Euro 2024, with the two UK broadcasters sharing the rights to show the tournament.
The BBC's Euro 2024 coverage is presented by Gary Lineker [L] (Image: BBC Sport)
Alan Shearer has shut down talk of a rivalry existing between BBC and ITV pundits at Euro 2024. Both UK broadcasters have been airing the tournament and competing for viewing figures since it kicked off in Germany on June 14.
ITV exclusively broadcasted the opening match between Germany and Scotland in Munich, as well as England's final Group C game against Slovenia. Meanwhile, the BBC aired England's first two matches.
Each broadcaster boasts its own team of pundits and commentators for tournaments, sparking an ongoing debate among fans over which offers superior coverage. That led Micah Richards to read out a fan question on The Rest Is Football podcast, asking Shearer if the competition for viewership extends to the pundits themselves.
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When initially asked if the pundits still socialise with each other, Shearer, who works with Richards for the BBC, joked: "You have, you've had dinner or lunch with some of the guys, haven't you? You told us that you sat with Roy Keane on the way home."
Shearer continued: "I've been texting Roy. I'm waiting for a couple of days off so I can go and have lunch with him."
Richards then asked: "Is there no rivalry? Because I've asked Gaz (Gary Lineker) this before, is it forbidden?”
Micah Richards claims punditry for the Euros is much harder than his role on Match of the Day (Image: YouTube/the Rest is Football Podcast)
The Newcastle icon replied: "No it's not forbidden, they're pals aren't they? Whether there's competition between the top management, I don't know. They always look at the viewing figures don't they and they want the biggest views. I don't think there's a competition there between the pundits, do you?”
“I wouldn't say there's competition but you want to do well, don't you," Richards added. “It comes with pressure doesn't it and you want to perform."
The friendly rivalry between ITV and BBC pundits was evident at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they took part in a football match in the searing heat. An ITV clip posted on social media showed Keane netting the decisive goal against Richards, which he celebrated by taking his shirt off.
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Ex-Manchester City star Richards also insisted that his punditry faces more intense scrutiny during the tournament compared to his usual Match of the Day appearances, saying: "Definitely! Saturday night on Match of the Day is a piece of p***!
“Honest to God. People don't understand, when you're just chatting here everything is laid back, we say what we want and we know certain parts can be edited out. But when you're doing live TV and you're trying to navigate your words so you don't disrespect someone.
"For one you don't swear. But also you're trying to give insight and educate people. When big games like England games are on, that's when you want a really good performance."