[Scratch_Perry]

ITV ready to swoop for Lineker

www.dailymail.co.uk 

Would be very surprised if they did swoop at this time given that:

a) they already have a top-class presenter in situ, in the shape of Mark Pougatch, who is a good few years younger
b) they would also be going against the grain in recruiting a middle-aged, white male presenter (and he would be much older than when Des Lynam moved to ITV from BBC in 1999)

Also, what message would that send to Laura Woods, given that ITV are surely grooming her to take over from Pougatch?

[Stuart]

I’m surprised they are even bothering airing that embarrassment again on TV, unless it’s contractual

In your opinion! I thought it was their best edition they've produced for decades.

I watched with my neighbour, we both thought this format was a huge improvement.

[harshy]

No need for overpaid pundits we can make up our own minds and do our own analysis.

[London Lite]

What about blind football fans who rely on commentary?

[agentsquash]

I’m surprised they are even bothering airing that embarrassment again on TV, unless it’s contractual

In your opinion! I thought it was their best edition they've produced for decades.

I watched with my neighbour, we both thought this format was a huge improvement.

Then the Sky Sports website has everything you need!

[James2001]

Yeah, if people want to put together a quick compilation of commentary free highlights, they can.

I have noticed pretty much all the people across forums and social media who think tonight's MOTD was wonderful are the same ones who support Lineker's suspension and support the government... Just seen someone try to deny their enjoyment of MOTD was based on Lineker's suspension immediately followed by a big rant about Lineker's salary and bias.

[Rdd]

Interesting

twitter.com 

Maybe so, but it must be realised that from the FAPL’s point of view, the most important thing really is that the cheque (the payment for the rights) is handed over. Everything after that is secondary, including how the broadcaster fulfils their end of the bargain.

[JAS84]

Lew Stringer drew this gag.
lewstringercomics.blogspot.com 

Lew Stringer Comics: Sketch of the Day
Cartoonist Lew Stringer's blog about his work for Beano, Buster, Oink and ma…
  Source: lewstringercomics.blogspot.com

[Division2023]

I can see Channel 4 making a bid for Premier League highlights with Lineker on board when the rights is next up for grabs.

[DavidWhitfield]

I have noticed pretty much all the people across forums and social media who think tonight's MOTD was wonderful are the same ones who support Lineker's suspension and support the government...

I have no doubt that this is correct, but I could just as easily say that the vast majority of people who are most ardently sticking up for Lineker are people who agree with his anti-government sentiments.

Look at the users defending Lineker's right to give his opinion on this site over the past few days for example. Do we really believe that these same people would have all rushed to his defence had he been pulled for breaching impartiality rules by SUPPORTING the government's strong views on immigration? Somehow I think not.

It's not a one-way street. Clearly there are biases on both sides here, which, ultimately, is going to be inevitable in any story with a political element.