FIFA World Cup 2014 - Brazil

So, as it stands, England v Costa Rica on Tuesday could be meaningless with England already out and Costa Rica already through.

So ITV will do the sensible thing and show the England match on ITV4 :-;

But in all seriousness, Italy v Uruguay could be a cracking match. Surely it's not a straightforward decision . . .

It is straightforward, they will show England regardless.

At the 1988 European Championships England lost their first two matches and the BBC opted to show the Republic of Ireland vs Netherlands match instead. I think this is the only England match at a major championship since 1966 not be broadcast live.

England...hahaha!

I'm sorry, that was childish of me.

Exactly. A shame it wasn't a draw really as Costa Rica now have little to play for - the potential Group C opponents doesn't really give them incentive to play to ensure they win the group, and I think they've pretty much won it on goal difference anyway as it's safe to say England won't thump them.

Indeed, I now look forward to following the other home nations throughout this tournament.

My thoughts were the same, put the Uruguay v Italy game on ITV1, relegating England v Costa Rica to ITV4. The common sense approach dictates this should be the case.

The commercial approach, however, does not.

Remind me, how are a Scotland doing in this World Cup?

Exactly. ITV is a British Public Service Broadcaster and therefore should be showing one of the Home Nations before they look at showing any other Nation...England are the only Home Nation in the tournament therefore they will be on the main channel (The PSB - ITV). If you add the commercial sense to this, it really is a no brainer.

When's the next flight from Brazil to Heathrow?

Ooooh the English have their knickers in a twist yet again. God, you should know that us Scot's rip England a new one in big competitions like this...

I think a simpler way of looking at it is, ITV are first and foremost a commercial broadcaster. Broadcasting the home nation game on the main channel will bring in the most viewers and therefore the most advertising revenue. Even though expectations for England were all round exceedingly low this year, just look at the ratings for the previous two games on BBC and ITV respectively. It's still an event to watch the home nation play.