BBC will not fund pundits working for rival podcasts as the Licence fee payers’ money will not be used this summer.
During this summer’s World Cup, the BBC has made it clear that it would not utilise licence fee payers’ money to assist prominent experts like Micah Richards in working for competing podcasts.
The majority of the World Cup will be presented by the BBC from its Salford studios due to budgetary and environmental concerns, with Richards anticipated to play a key role. He has, however, also agreed to participate in The Rest is Football podcast, which Gary Lineker will host in New York.
for Euro 2024 the then BBC three of Lineker, Richards and Alan Shearer shot episodes of The Rest is Football together in Berlin, but the BBC’s decision to stay at home and Lineker’s split from the corporation last year have caused issues in terms of recording together for the World Cup.
Another issue is that due to a distribution agreement with Netflix, which will make the podcast available on its platforms following a £14 million deal reached last month, The Rest is Football is anticipated to be shot to better production standards this summer.
According to reports, Netflix’s agreement with Lineker’s production firm, Goalhanger, includes a pledge to create over 40 Rest is Football video podcasts throughout the World Cup. The streaming service will aim to include as many well-known guests as possible.
Throughout, Lineker will be at the Netflix studio in New York, with additional commentators joining him when they become available. The BBC has advised its commentators that it is fine for them to pursue other media work during the World Cup and many are likely to do so, but it will not pay the expense. Thus, Netflix or Goalhanger will have to cover Richards’s trip expenses.
Shearer has a greater possibility of presenting The Rest is Football alongside Lineker in person because he will be in the US for the duration of the competition as a co-commentator for the BBC.
For the most of the World Cup, Match of the Day presenters Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates, and Gabby Logan will be based in the Salford studio; however, if England or Scotland advance to the later stages of the competition, one or more of them may visit the United States.