Euro 2012

UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) has come under scrutiny following the Euro 2012 football tournament for manipulating live coverage of the matches.

An investigation was started after footage of a German fan shedding a tear when Germany had conceded a second goal against Italy was shown.

Friends of the woman crying claimed that she had not cried after the goal but instead during the German national anthem. Continue reading »

BBC One’s coverage of the Euro 2012 final last night was far more popular than that of ITV1 according to ratings data.

Gary Lineker and co. averaged an audience of 10.03m while Adrian Chiles and his crew were watched by only 1.7m.

BBC One’s coverage was always going to beat that of ITV1’s but the gap was much larger than expected. Continue reading »

Italy’s surprise win over Germany in last night’s second Euro 2012 semi-final drew an average of 8.06m on BBC One.

Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli slotted both of Italy’s goals as they triumphed over the Germans 2-1.

BBC One’s coverage peaked at 11.5m from 9.15pm when Germany pulled one goal back thanks to a penalty. Continue reading »

Spain’s dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Portugal in the first Euro 2012 semi-final drew an impressive audience on BBC One.

An average of 8.84m (39.1%) tuned in from 7.45pm to watch the two Iberian teams go head to head, with a peak of 12.9m (55.9%) seeing the final 15 minutes.

Wimbledon was seen in the evening over on BBC Two by 1.4m with a further 906k watching Today at Wimbledon. Continue reading »

7:00pm Sunday 1 July on BBC ONE

Gary Lineker hosts live coverage of the final of Euro 2012, which is taking place in the Olympic Stadium, Kiev.

After 30 matches over the past three weeks, just two nations remain in the competition, and now they are playing for the right to be crowned European champions.

Four years ago, Fernando Torres was the hero after his goal in the final against Germany earned Spain their first major title for 44 years. Who will be making the headlines tonight?

Over 20 million Brits watched England tumble out of Euro 2012 last night thanks to a ghastly penalty shoot-out.

An average of 20.3 million viewers watched the live coverage on BBC One from 7.45pm with a peak of 23 million for the penalty shoot-out.

The entire coverage, including the pre-match build-up with Gary Lineker and co. averaged 17.4m.

TV critic Ian Hyland summed up the occasion well on Twitter: “23m watched England go out on penalties last night. That’s one of the highest ever TV audiences for a repeat.” Continue reading »

Gary Lineker has won a dare with Ricky Gervais over the use of a football cliché on Match of the Day.

During last night’s Czech Republic v Portugal game, Gervais tweeted Lineker daring him to use the phrase “it was a game of two halves” during his next link.

Gervais tweeted: “I am watching you on my TV. I dare you to use the phrase “it was a game of two halves”. I would enjoy that.”

Lineker replied: “I will suffer the abuse that will follow my uttering of the cliché, just because it’s you.” Continue reading »

The first of four Euro 2012 quarter finals has drawn an impressive audience on BBC One.

Last night’s Czech Republic and Portugal showdown was seen by an average of 7.91m between 7.30pm and 10pm, peaking at over 10m at 9.15pm.

The football easily beat ITV1’a primetime offering of Lewis between 8pm and 10pm, which pulled 3.4m. Continue reading »

Sunday, 1 July 2012, 7:00PM – 10:15PM

Adrian Chiles introduces live coverage of the Euro 2012 Final at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

After three weeks and 31 games of first class football, the champions of Europe will be crowned.

Four years ago Fernando Torres was the match winner for Spain in the last European Championship Final. Who will steal the glory tonight?

Commentary from Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend.

7:00pm Thursday 28 June on BBC ONE

Gary Lineker presents live coverage of the second semi-final of Euro 2012 from the Polish capital Warsaw.

The National Stadium was originally scheduled for completion last summer, but delays meant it was the last Euro 2012 venue to be finished.

Holders Spain reached the final in 2008 with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Russia. They met Germany in the final, who had a far harder task against Turkey and squeezed through 3-2.