TV viewers have slammed Channel 4‘s ‘awful’ and ‘painful to watch’ football coverage of England’s Nations League draw with Germany last night, with some fans complaining the left-wing broadcaster’s approach was too ‘woke’.
The TV channel – currently British Sports Network of the Year – beat competitors ITV and Sky Sports for the right to show all the country’s international matches, in a first foray into men’s football.
The deal will see England’s games in the Nations League, European Championship qualifiers and international friendlies on free-to-air television until 2024, with all the Three Lions’ previous Nations League games having been shown on Sky.
England football coverage is normally on ITV or Sky, while major tournament games are also sometimes on the BBC, but it is unusual for Channel 4 to show football.
Channel 4 have secured the rights to several high-profile sporting events in recent months, like Emma Raducanu’s US Open win and the thrilling finale to last year’s F1 season, and has been renowned for its strong Paralympics coverage since 2012.
But it has, however, come under intense criticism from viewers for the coverage of the Three Lions’ 1-1 Nations League draw with Germany in Munich.
Jules Breach – who previously said she was looking forward to bringing ‘fun, fresh energy to England’s upcoming matches’ – presented the action, with former England internationals Joe Cole, Jordan Nobbs and Michael Owen the pundits.
Owen was asked by Breach about his daughter appearing on Love Island, saying at the start of the show: ‘The father of Love Island’s Gemma Owen, Michael Owen here with us, a big night for the Owens last night Michael, how are you feeling today?’
And Michael Owen replied: ‘Jules, I came all the way to Germany to try to avoid all that back at home, and you’ve brought it up straight away. I’m feeling alright thank you. Yeah. This is taking my mind off it, so don’t bring it back up.’
However the presenters didn’t appear to discuss any political issues despite viewers complaining on social media that the coverage was ‘woke’ and ‘politically correct’.
TV viewers have slammed Channel 4’s ‘awful’ coverage of England’s Nations League match
One fan tweeted: ‘Sorry but moving it to Channel 4 is awful, all too PC.
‘Pougatch, Keane, Wright and Emma Hayes all on ITV are much better, I like Emma Hayes she knows her stuff. This new lot appeal to the woke, snowflake PC brigade.’
Another said: ‘Channel 4 Football Meeting: ‘This is very new for us having International Football, let’s make it as fresh and different as possible, what a great opportunity.’
”Nah, f*** it – let’s make it as woke as possible.’ Meeting Closed.’
A third added: ‘This channel 4 and football woke s*** has broken me, won’t be watching the rest. No politics and the like in a football match.
‘I watch it to get away from the world problems & woke stuff, not see more of it. Sod this. I’m not against it but just leave sport alone.’
Some fans were keen to share their views of how bad the coverage of the match was
Some fans were quick to criticise the presenting team that Channel 4 used for the match
More fans agreed that Channel 4’s coverage of England’s match against Germany was ‘painful to watch’.
Another stated: ‘Can we all agree @Channel4 coverage of football is awful.
One fan tweeted: ‘This @Channel4 coverage of @England is painful to watch. It’s amateur hour stuff, the presenting team are awful. The bloke that has lived in Germany the past 9 years, bore off!!’
Some even fans even went as far as stating they may not watch England games going forward due to the coverage.
Football fans took to social media to criticise Channel 4’s coverage of England’s match
Some even fans even went as far as stating they may not watch England games in future
One fan insisted that they should hand the England games to Sky for professional presenters
A fan posted: ‘@Channel 4 two games in and I don’t think I can watch England on your channel anymore. This is the worst coverage I’ve ever seen, my ears are bleeding. I’ve got to listen on mute. Absolute tools presenting and as pundits.
Yet another insisted: ‘Appalling coverage and presenters – wooden – hand it back to Sky. Let’s have some professional presenters and professional expert analysis.’
England salvaged a point against Germany to avoid a second successive defeat with Harry Kane netting a penalty late on to cancel out Jonas Hofmann’s opener.
Speaking last week when Channel 4’s coverage was announced, Jules Breach said: ‘Watching England games as a little girl with my dad is what made me fall in love with the beautiful game, so it is an absolute honour to be presenting the coverage on England’s new home for football – Channel 4.
Viewers blasted the coverage for being too ‘woke’ despite having the chance of a fresh start
One fan insisted that he watches football to get away from the world’s problems
‘We are so excited to bring fun, fresh energy to England’s upcoming matches that reflects the young, inspiring Three Lions squad we have all dared to dream with.’
Steve Bower was commentating with Graeme Le Saux as a co-commentator.
Speaking before the coverage, Bower said: ‘I was delighted to commentate on the lionesses on Channel 4 in 2017 and am now thrilled to be with the men’s team for exciting coverage across these games.
‘It’s a real privilege to call these national moments and I’m really looking forward to it.’
Gareth Southgate, manager of England, speaks to Jordan Nobbs and Michael Owen prior to the Nations League match against Hungary in Budapest on Saturday, which was also on Channel 4
And Channel 4’s head of sport Pete Andrews said last week: ‘We’re incredibly proud to have secured a fantastic line-up of some of the best talent in sport to front our coverage of the games.
‘Gareth Southgate’s England are a team we can all get behind and it’s a thrill to bring the matches live and free to everyone.’
Six England games will be shown live on Channel 4 this year starting with their match against Hungary last Saturday.
The next game will see Southgate’s team take on Italy at Molineux on Saturday.