An Interactive Cup of Nations
When I last blogged, I mentioned that football's was one of several sporting events coming up which the ´óÏó´«Ã½ would be televising, as well as carrying coverage on this website and on our radio stations.
Now this biennial event is upon us, getting under way in Ghana on Sunday with a match between and . It runs until 10 February, with 32 matches packed into those three weeks.
All of those matches will be screened by the ´óÏó´«Ã½ to viewers in the UK, mostly on interactive, or red button, television.
The ´óÏó´«Ã½'s World Service, meanwhile, will be offering fantastic radio coverage of the event in Africa, where it is Fast Track radio programme is hugely popular with football fans, and beyond.
But these events always showcase the best of the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s richly diverse output. As well as the traditional sporting platforms, like ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport and Radio 5 Live, there will be coverage of the Nations Cup on Radio 1Xtra, for example.
I have pulled together these various strands of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ in order to give the audience the very best that this organisation can offer around this tournament, and hopefully showcase it in one place, which will be .
During the tournament this page will feature the latest audio packages from World Service's team in Ghana, features and analysis from journalists on the ground there, text commentaries, match reports and photos put together from London, the chance to interact with other fans and with journalists, and easy-to-follow results, fixtures and tables.
There's also additional content like a game from Farayi Mungazi who listeners of Fast Track will know well. Have a try and see how you get on.
I'm also very interested to see the results of an experiment we're conducting in bringing together the web community on 606 and the television coverage in the UK. At half-time in some of the evening matches in the group stages, the studio panel will take questions from the 606 website and discuss them on air.
This conversation will also be streamed on the website. So there's a chance to join the conversation and get your question read out!
Unfortunately, we will not be showing the matches on this website in broadband, as regular users of this site in the UK will be used to. Most of the events which the ´óÏó´«Ã½ has the rights to televise are now also shown as a simulcast on this site for people in the UK, but the rights deal for the Nations Cup does not allow this.
This is a shame, but it actually shows how far we've come in getting all our rights deals inclusive of the web that it stands out when there's one event we cannot do this for - and I'm also hoping the web-TV tie-in at half-time will bring the television coverage closer to the community of fans discussing it on these pages.
So lots to look forward to, and I'm beginning now to get a real sense of how excited people are about this tournament. Meeting people from around the ´óÏó´«Ã½ in the build-up to this tournament gave me a taster of this, and the journalists in Ghana have really been reflecting this to.
So here's to a great competition, and, as ever, please do let me know what you think of our coverage across any of our platforms.
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Waow. This is my first African Nations Cup since I came to the UK and I was worried I would miss the matches. I was even thinking of taking a holiday to Ghana to see the matches. ´óÏó´«Ã½'s coverage is so very welcomed and appreciated. Never knew the game in Africa could generate so much media interest. The media interest is a first step to the larger society's interest. I am sure by the time people see the matches they will see what passion about football really means and that it's no all about money.
Thanks, guys
I think the African Cup of Nations is like the Copa America and like Euro 2008 its a continent playing their football and having fun in a competion between 32 countries. The only bad thing about it is its in January (1/2 way through the season)but there is an upside about that, its in the January transfer market. But I totally agree with the FiFa's comment to move it to June because its preventing Premiership's team managers to be harassed in the transfer market to possibly get a replacement. But top team like Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd have loads of african players and they've got to get a top class replacement. Not only is it causing that but also when the players return their going to have to have at least 5 days rest untill they can play for their clubs. As, if the competition was in the summer it would give the players a few weeks relaxing instead of panicking to go to the match when he isnt fully fit.
Isnt it a waste of time putting it on ´óÏó´«Ã½i when we have ´óÏó´«Ã½2 open to use!
Its simple, you wouldnt do this for the Euros this year so why treat the African Nations Cup different?
Im sure that Eurosport wouldnt treat the event like this so why the ´óÏó´«Ã½?
Plus what were the reasons for why the event couldnt be put on the internet?
I see no reason for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ to be covering this tournament - another clear case of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ believing football and only football, however uninterested the average fan might be, can fill their sport quota.
I partly agree with brekkie. If they show the african cup of nations then why dont they show the rugby tri nations?
How much has this cost the ´óÏó´«Ã½? Wouldn't the money be better spent on programming for a wider audience rather than a rather niche football fan?
the above comment is disgracefull. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ have plenty programmes they show other than football on their channels.
Such comments are unhelpfull, unwise and lack of appreciation. Why should the ´óÏó´«Ã½ not show African Football, the writer does not mention why the bbc should not show this tournament.
Go the ´óÏó´«Ã½ go
Just to pop into Lewis's blog, purely with some information for Andrew in #3 and others...
There will be nightly highlights of the group stages on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three at 7pm in addition to the live coverage on the red button. The peak-time quarter-finals will be live on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three, as will the 8pm semi-final. And then the final will be live on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two on February 10th.
Lewis & Roger, really just posting to thank you and your colleagues in charge of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport's remit for purchasing rights to Ghana 2008, the 26th African Cup of Nations.
I've been a massive fan of African football for as long as I can remember, and have followed this competition particularly closely thanks to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ taking an interest in it around the turn of the century.
However after coverage of the last tournament two years ago, Egypt 2006, was moved from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two to being solely on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three, I wasn't hopeful that you'd be renewing your contract with the event. So I'm delighted to be proved wrong, what a pleasant surprise.
Being a football fan (and a Cameroun fan - Vive Les Lions Indomptables!), for me this is the sporting event of the year, especially now that we know no British teams have qualified for Euro 2008.
I also see that you will be showing most games (bar those on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two and Three) live via ´óÏó´«Ã½ Interactive, much like you did with the Women's World Cup last autumn (another event I really wanted to be able to watch, and again it was a pleasant surprise that the ´óÏó´«Ã½ purchased full live rights to it).
This worked really well at China 2007, as it not only allowed fans like myself to watch every second of the tournament, but at the same time meant that coverage didn't annoy those who weren't so interested by disrupting the regular schedules of the four main channels, which I'm sure would attract many complaints. This does seem to be the perfect scheduling situation, so hopefully in turn will allow the ´óÏó´«Ã½ to increase their sports portfolio.
Regarding the highlights show on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three at 7pm - I have mixed feelings on this one.
On one hand, it seems like a great idea to schedule a show there in order to air action from the 5pm early kick-off, as many fans will miss live coverage on interactive of these games due to work commitments.
However it's scheduling means that these shows will clash with the day's late game, which could mean a fair proportion of the target audience will be flicking over to ´óÏó´«Ã½i before the show has finished! In my opinion, perhaps a half hour programme ending ahead of the 7.30pm kick-offs would have been better, and/or post 10pm highlights would have been better.
But that is a mere minor gripe. As well as covering the live games - the broadcast team you have chosen looks excellent, particularly the use of Simon Brotherton & Mark Bright as the main commentary team (on this subject, may I ask which co-commentators will be working with John Roder & Martin Fisher on the secondary games?) - and I am really looking forward to watching, and listening, to coverage from Ghana.
Again, well done and thank you on your top work with the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports output, particularly under the particular remit of interactive coverage (where all the best ´óÏó´«Ã½ sport seems to be these days!).
Here's to a great Cup of Nations.
Got to agree with comment number seven and also I don't believe that the African Cup of Nations is a niche market, there are many more football fans who appreciate and further more, watch the ACN due to the vast number of Premiership and European based footballers on show.
Good on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ showing this tournament and for all of us who appreciate good football no matter where it is played, please continue to do so.
Re:#7 - to put it bluntly it's the African Cup of Nations - and though in an ideal world the ´óÏó´«Ã½ would be able to provide all people with all services they'd like, realistically there are choices to be made - and IMO with ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport being so football dominated the money here would have been better spent on rights to other sports.
I would suggest people actually READ the main blogs. It quite clearly states that ´óÏó´«Ã½ website coverage is unavailable due to the nature of the contract.
Roger Mosley : Dont just put the final on ´óÏó´«Ã½2!
Put the whole Tournament on ´óÏó´«Ã½2!
As I said, you wouldnt put Euro 2008 on ´óÏó´«Ã½i so why the African Cup of Nations on ´óÏó´«Ã½i and ´óÏó´«Ã½3 when ´óÏó´«Ã½2 can ube used?
Surely with the amount of sport it has, surely the British public wouldnt mind it being used for a Football Tournament?
You used ´óÏó´«Ã½2 for the Womens World Cup?
and why arent the highlights on ´óÏó´«Ã½2 after Newsnight, not all of us can watch ´óÏó´«Ã½3 at 7pm!
C'mon ´óÏó´«Ã½, this is disgraceful coverage for a Football Tournament like the African Cup of Nations!
Good on you ´óÏó´«Ã½. Highlights at 7 every day. I am supporting Zambia as I was born in Kitwe and Junior Agogo will be top scorer and then take Forest back to where they belong. This is a tournament for dreamers rather than a lifeless Serie A (does anyone watch that boring package any more ?) and a pumped up Premier League. The more I read about it the more fascinating it becomes. Lets get lost in planet football. The time is right for major interest in this dramatic tournament. I hope the politics don't interfere with the hopes and dreams of the people and that the ´óÏó´«Ã½ coverage hooks real football fans thirsty for passion and the theatre that sport can provide. Beats Swindon vs Forest on a wet Saturday. I am staying in for the next month for a feast of free football.
Keep Sports Report for the full hour followed by 6-0-6 until 8.00pm. Any 5.15 commentaries should be on Sports Extra with updates on Five Live. When big events clash e.g. the Six Nations coming up Sports Report should be delayed to the end (7.00pm/8.00pm) but kept to the full hour, record interviews if necessary.
Whilst i'm sure my club will miss it's players i am very happy to see that the ´óÏó´«Ã½ is giving us the opportunity to watch the African Cup of Nations again. Good on you boys.
Africa is where the new brand of footballer, tall, athletic, technically superior is most abundantly apparent.
I am looking forward to watching the Toure's, Eto'o's, Drogba's that we all know but also getting to view the next big league superstars.
As for Brekkie. I understand where you're coming from but i think you need to understand too that whilst you may prefer other sports, football is the national game and long may it continue.
Glad that most of you are excited about the Cup of Nations. There's a good buzz in the office this evening as well. Plenty of quality football to ease us through the days ahead.
Lewis mentioned the interactive half-time forums. The first one takes place on Monday and former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh is among those on hand to answer your questions.
To get involved, follow this link: /dna/606/A31329452
Strange to call this an "interactive Cup of Nations" and then completely fail to have even the ´óÏó´«Ã½ 3 highlights package available on iPlayer! I f it's for rights reasons, then why wasn't the Net included in the package you bought? Makes a bit of a mockery of the incessant plugging of iPlayer I see inbetween virtually every ´óÏó´«Ã½ programme when it turns out that it's not "unmissable" after all if it's a sporting event it seems...
Great you are broadcasting all the games live. If you can add the schedule to the Freeview EPG then more people will know about it and those that wish will be able to set their PVR to record them to watch when they get home - just like any other program.
Is there a good reason why the programs on 301/2 are not treated like the vast majority? I can sort of see the concept of a red button to supplement a traditional broadcast but what has it got to do with a stand alone program.
Why do ´óÏó´«Ã½i pictures appear in 4:3 yet Eurosport are broadcasting in 16:9?
With half the people complaining there's not enough ACN and half complaining there's too much ACN on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ it seems that you cannot win! Personally I'm very happy with the ammount of coverage there is of the football and I would much rather be watching the African Cup than Copa America/CONCACAF.
As to the respondents calling for less money being spent on football and more on other sports - I'm not interested in 3Nations or Super 14, but I do miss having the Heineken Cup on the Beeb!!
Look forward to catching the Senegal v Tunisia game tonight - pitty that the best games of the day are the 17:00 KO as I do tend to miss the first 1/4hour. Perhaps someone should complain to the ´óÏó´«Ã½?!?!?!
Yes, further to Reply #20, it would be interesting to find out why ´óÏó´«Ã½i is showing the matches in 4:3 whilst Eurosport is showing the game in 16:9?
It is slightly spoiling what is excellent coverage by the ´óÏó´«Ã½.
Hi ´óÏó´«Ã½,
It's amazing that you are paying this much attention on the African cup of Nations.From where I stand,I don't remember the ´óÏó´«Ã½ focusing on the championship this much.
It is rather refreshing to note that one major world radio broadcaster is showing respect to our continent's football showpiece,although I should have expected this,given that Africa has its own Footballer of the Year title instituted by the ´óÏó´«Ã½..
Thanks ´óÏó´«Ã½.
The coverage is fine apart from the commentary being about one second ahead of the action. The commentator shouts 'Goal' before the ball has left the player's foot!
Is their a reason that both red button channels on freeview are showing the save kids programme tonight rather than one showing an ANC game, will this be the case every night or just a misshap tonight.
Cheers
Paul R
Further to Paul's comment above - having backed Guinea as dark horses I'd been looking forward to watching them progress from the group and seeing them shape up without Feindouno. So it was frustrating to say the least to be caught up in some Groundhog Day-style nightmare of an interactive Chuckle Brothers episode! Didn't know if there was a fault somewhere. Worst thing is there's no information or clear listings accessible - at least I've ended up here because of it! Can someone explain what happened - I'd assumed all games were available.
Judging by some of the shooting in this...it has to be said...poor quality* tournament, it proves that actually the 'unmissable' is 'missable'.
As for it being on ´óÏó´«Ã½i, I think it's a good use of resources. It's been an education for some of my work collegues who didn't even know they had ´óÏó´«Ã½i!
*Let me qualify that by 'poor quality' I mean this particular African Cup of Nations not previous ones which have been excellent.
Hail The Mighty Namibia!
Is there a playlist available for the music which is played during halftime on ´óÏó´«Ã½i?