BBC World News kicks off spirit of World Cup

In the lead up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, BBC World News channel will feature ongoing sporting analysis, news coverage and documentaries on TV, radio and online.

Content will feature exclusive interviews with star players, intimate recording sessions with Brazilian musicians and specials on Brazil’s economy and national identity. Part of the BBC’s enhanced coverage also includes the appointment of a new South America Business Correspondent, Katy Watson, based in Sao Paulo.

BBC World News TV (@bbcworld)

The BBC’s global 24 hour news channel will broadcast a variety of content in the countdown to the FIFA World Cup™ including:

Brazil and the Beautiful Game, a new two-part series presented by former English football international and 1986 Golden Boot winner, Gary Lineker. The series explores the mystique of Brazilian football and features some of the country’s biggest stars – it goes from the Favelas of Rio to the Estádio do Maracanã where local hero Neymar hopes to be crowned World Champion in July. The series broadcasts Saturday June 14 at 12.10 and Sunday June 15 at 19.10 (AEST).

Soccer Cities – this documentary will focus on some of the Brazilian cities which will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ including: Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Brasília, Manaus, Salvador and Recife. Using experimental filming techniques, including the BBC’s hexacopter camera – a small aerial camera – to provide shots of the stadiums and cities, the programme also relies on local insight from BBC Brasil. This documentary will give international audiences a preview of some of the host-cities and broadcasts Saturday June 14 at 19.10 and Sunday June 15 at 07.10 and 12.10 (AEST) on BBC World News. Soccer Cities will also be available online at bbc.com and BBC Brasil from Wednesday 7 May as a new 6-part video series.

During the FIFA World Cup on BBC World News TV:

The BBC’s Jon Sopel and Peter Okwoche will be anchoring live from Rio, and reporting on the big news stories and events for BBC World News.

The channel will also be broadcasting special editions of Football Focus, hosted by Dan Walker live from Brazil from June 12 with all the latest news, results and updates.

Sport Today will have reporters across the country bringing audiences pre and post-match build up. The programme will feature expert analysis in the studio from the BBC’s global football experts and former professionals, and cover the impact of the FIFA World Cup™ on Brazil and the legacy it will leave behind. The show is presented by Ollie Foster with reporters Alex South, Seth Bennett, John Bennett and correspondent Alex Capstick live daily, from 01:30 (AEST).