Ian Wright sends ITV 'how it should be' message after BBC World Cup criticism

Ian Wright sends ITV 'how it should be' message after BBC World Cup criticism Ahead of the start of the World Cup today, one of Ian Wright's comments stood out amid the rivalry between ITV and the BBC's coverage of the tournament Arsenal legend Ian Wright said "as it should be" as the ITV team showed off their spectacular World Cup base. Ahead of the start of the tournament, Wright, Roy Keane and ITV presenter Mark Pougatch watched England's friendly victory over Costa Rica from their spectacular set in New York City. The infamous skyline of the Big Apple dominated the background as Keane, Wright and Pougatch pawed over Thomas Tuchel's side's 3-0 victory. It's a contrast to the BBC, which has opted to analyse the World Cup from their studio in Salford. BBC director Alex Kay-Jelski recently justified their decision to remain in the UK by reminding critics any investment into an on-site studio in the US and flying out reporters and television teams would come from the taxpayers' pocket. As ITV marvelled over their New York set, Wright made an interesting comment about their base. At the start of the broadcast, Pougatch began by saying: "Welcome to our New York loft apartment, home for six weeks of coverage of the World Cup. "We hope you will love this view as much as we do, a view of the buildings of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge. You are thinking it must be AI; I promise you it is real." JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page After Keane replied "Amazing, fantastic," Wright chimed in by replying: "It's amazing, unbelievable set. It's the World Cup, it should be this, it should be grand, massive." It's a stark contrast to the BBC's set back in Salford. The Beeb were heavily criticised for their decision to keep the heart of their World Cup broadcast team in the UK. Only a small number of sports reporters have been sent across the pond for the competition. BBC director of Sport Kay-Jelski recently justified this decision, telling the Daily Mail: "Right now, I'm incredibly happy with it. "To have what would probably be an extra couple of hundred people out there – and that's before you build a studio – you’re talking millions. If I was standing here saying everything is going to be done from a studio in Dallas, you would rightly be saying to me, 'How can you justify that expense? "I don't think the answer from a financial sustainable point of view is to say everyone can go. I don't think that is a very clever way of me to spend licence fee money." Keane has also opened up about the rivalry between ITV and the BBC, even saying it filters down to the pundits who work on the respective broadcasters. On Sky Bet's Road To American mini-series, he said: "The rivalry between the BBC and ITV pundits is a bit strange, but I think it's good that there's a bit of tension. "I think you need a bit of competition. Let's not kid ourselves, there is definitely tension. Even from pundits who work with other pundits. The BBC might have the younger pundits, but they're two completely different shows. "The people who work for the BBC and ITV in the background, they are about numbers, and maybe that filters through to the pundits." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL. Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.