FIFA World Cup 2014 - Brazil

I do think that the titles this time are better than the BBC's attempt four years ago. I found those ones far too 'clips-spliced-together' rather than enjoying any greater production. At least this one attempts to tell a story and features specially filmed footage, etc. I'm not sure that they quite work, however. I look forward to seeing ITV's effort.

I was of the opinion that the BBC Sport graphics did not need a change this World Cup (a completely opposite opinion to the one I held four years ago, when I thought the 2006-introduced graphics set dated very quickly and needed replacement) as the 2010 set does not look very dated and still works well. I'm not convinced by the new ones, truth be told. The glass effect is the way that Sky has gone over the last year or so, and I was hoping that the Beeb would continue blazing their own trail. But I'll let them grow on me during the context of the match and see what I think in a week's time.

BTW, are we assuming that the BBC will use their own graphics templates over the match footage once again, with ITV taking the HBS graphics - the form for the last three tournaments?

EDIT: I've just noticed - is this the first time that BBC Sport name astons now appear in the 16:9 graphics safe area (rather than 4:3)?

Hmm, not a big fan of the titles at all. Putting real heads on the figurines - not all that well, either - is real Uncanny Valley territory, and there's nothing to build the excitement. Just a bit flat, really.

She'll also be reporting for BT Sport, who are making use of ESPN's facilities.

There's also a stand-up position on the beach with a desk based on the competition's logo - you'll be able to see it on tonight's Baker & Kelly Not In Rio.

They're not great are they, the theme is rather forgetable while the logo at the end looks rather cheap.

Studio looks great though.

I'm liking the ITV set... It all begins now!

ITV have done it again, instead of broadcasting their world cup coverage they've played out the titles of Benidorm. Joining aside that title music will grow on purple.

ITV's position better than the BBC's. Probably cost them less money.

ITV's titles are much vivider than the Beeb's.

Fun, less serious.

I don't think I've ever seen an ITV World Cup studio so similar to the BBC one. The Beeb obviously paid a bit extra for wraparound windows, though.

Yet ITV have ended up with the better view.

Studios are pretty much equal. If the theme was just instrumental ITV would win that one, but neither really do it for me, while the ITV titles seem to be a throwback to the early 90s. Quite underwhelming all round really.

The ITV studio wins down to the backdrop, more on view in each shot down to the lower position. The real test will be when it gets darker.

Titles for both are underwhelming. The BBC's studio looks better to me.