World Cup 2014: additional programming on the BBC
There will be a wide selection of programmes on BBC TV related to the tournament, reflecting the culture, news and wonder of Brazil.
Published: 7 May 2014
BBC One and BBC One HD see four documentaries:
The Beautiful Game is a new one hour documentary presented by Gary Lineker set to broadcast just before the start of the World Cup, where he meets legendary Brazil striker Ronaldo for a frank and illuminating insight into the pleasure and pain of playing for Brazil, and features revealing interviews with key figures like World Cup winning player Leonardo and manager Mario Zagallo. Focus also falls on Pele; his gifts, global appeal and role in cementing Brazil and Brazilian football firmly in the hearts and minds of the world. The programme asks why we all love Brazil and, from Brazilian football's year zero - the arrival of Charles Miller in 1894, it explores the history, mystique, roots and romance of Brazil and the Beautiful Game.
David Beckham embarks on a top secret expedition to the Amazon that will see him encounter the other side of Brazil and journey through the tropical rainforest. The documentary will broadcast on BBC One and BBC One HD in June.
In this special 1x90 documentary film, the global superstar and his friends Derek White and Dave Gardner experience the isolation of the jungle on a once in a lifetime expedition, with world renowned director Anthony Mandler capturing their exploits on film.
Beckham, one of the most decorated football players of all time, flies over 5,000 miles from his home in London to South America to experience the “real Brazil”. In this TV first, we follow Beckham as he cooks, camps and fishes with his friends in the heart of the dense Amazon rainforest.
Alan Hansen – King Of Pundits will air just towards the end of the World Cup, marking Alan’s retirement from the pundits chair on Match Of The Day. Having been a central character in the BBC's football coverage since 1992, Alan Hansen hangs up his mic after the World Cup in Rio. In a rare interview, the self-effacing Hansen opens up to friend and colleague Gary Lineker.
Diminished by injuries at the age of 36 after an illustrious career as a player, the former Scotland and Liverpool captain left with a legacy that would stand up to the fiercest scrutiny - and the same will be said of him as a pundit when he departs this summer. Hansen arrived on the punditry scene in 1992 and made a strong impact, unafraid to criticise footballers or the establishment with a style that was passionate, forthright and intelligent.
This very private man opens up about his Scotland and Liverpool career, his friendship with Kenny Dalglish, his passion for golf, Hillsborough, his highs and lows as a player and pundit, why he never became a manager and why he likes analysis so much.
Rio In Rio sees Rio Ferdinand taking viewers on his World Cup journey to Rio as a football fan, pundit and tourist, in this one off documentary to broadcast on BBC One and BBC One HD at the end of the World Cup in July.
Through meeting ‘Cariocas’ as the locals are called, Ferdinand will sample not only the World Cup through their eyes but also the city of Rio famous for its breathtaking landscape, its laidback beach culture, good food, party music and its annual carnival. Beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema, the Christ The Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue, the stadium of Maracanã and Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) are all well-known haunts but he is keen also to visit the less touristy areas like the favelas, local community, art and football projects for the less privileged. The man from Peckham, an active campaigner on racism, poverty and inner-city violence, will visit these areas for himself to see how the World Cup impacts on the locals. He will also keep an expert eye on the football!
On BBC Three and BBC Three HD, Rio Ferdinand and Olly Murs present The World Cup’s 50 Greatest Moments, and what a list it is including England winning the World Cup in 1966; Cruyff’s turn in 1974; Gordon Banks’ amazing save from Pele in 1970; Maradona’s two goals against England in 1986; the all-dancing Roger Milla; Ally’s Tartan Army in 1978; Big Jack Charlton’s Republic of Ireland’s heroics on the pitch; Frank Lampard’s goal that never was; and of course Gazza’s tears and plenty of penalty shootouts that end in heartbreak. This programme has them all with contributions from World Cup winners Thierry Henry, Sir Bobby Charlton and Leonardo, plus England’s goalscoring legends Michael Owen and Gary Lineker, DJ’s Trevor Nelson and Greg James, comedian Russell Brand and pop stars JB from JLS and Lethal Bizzle. The programme will broadcast in early June.
Also in June on BBC Three and BBC Three HD to broadcast will be World Cup's Best Ever Goals Ever! - a comic guide to the greatest goals in World Cup history presented by character comedian Simon Brodkin, playing spoof Premier League footballer Jason Bent.
BBC Four features a four-part series Danny Baker’s World Cup Brush Up – the World Cup show with no actual football. Danny Baker goes for a ramble around the periphery of the tournament, the folk and the tales that gush from the blowhole of this sporting whale every four years. Fans, players, mascots and all manner of ne'er do wells are probed, as is Paul The Psychic Octopus and that young lad who cultivated a Sven Goran Eriksson hairdo. The series starts in June.
FIFA World Cup Official Film Collection
As part of our FIFA World Cup programming we will transmit the entire FIFA World Cup Official Film Collection, which covers the 1930 to 2002 competitions, as well as seminal documentaries The Story Of The 2006 World Cup and Match 64: The Final Of The FIFA World Cup 2010, featuring behind-the-scenes footage from each event.
This is the first time the entire FIFA Films collection has been transmitted by the BBC, delivering a comprehensive review of previous FIFA World Cups to sit alongside our 2014 World Cup output.
The FIFA World Cup film collection comprises feature length movies produced at the time of each tournament and which include enhanced coverage and greater perspective than are available from conventional footage. The 14 films present a unique insight to the events and include the colour record of England’s 1966 World Cup win, Maradona’s key role in 1986, as well as the classic 1970 Mexico tournament.
