BBC's World Cup coverage drew laughs and criticism after a graphic blunder showed Houston's skyline with mountains. The broadcaster kept its analysts in England, not sending them to U.S., angering fans who saw it as cost-cutting.
To quell backlash,BBC let some journalists tour its Salford studio before tournament began. Some reporters liked what they saw,noting the use of a “giant wraparound LED screen” to show host city scenes. Games in New York and Boston went fine,with familiar sights like New York Harbor,Charles River .
But Houston's portrayal fell flat . During chatter about Portugal and Congo's draw,LED screen showed Houston skyline with TC Energy Center…and mountains . Nowhere in Texas. Observers quickly mocked it,with one social media user calling out BBC's apparent unfamiliarity with Houston.
“@BBC adding mountains to the green screen background of Houston is one of most dubious things I’ve ever seen,” tweeted Reed Wilburn, Houston-based doctor.
Fans hit social media,amused by BBC's error. One joked BBC must've confused Houston with mountain region,another quipped about “Highlands of Pasadena,” nodding to city's flatness. BBC's attempt to jazz up Houston skyline with fake mountains became a
Houston Dynamo,the city's MLS team,joined the fun,tweeting a photo of Shell Energy Stadium,edited with same mountains. “You just can't beat this view,” they wrote,poking fun at BBC's mishap.
As World Cup rolls on,incident is a reminder of challenges broadcasters face covering events from afar. BBC's studio setup might've wowed some,but misrepresenting Houston's landscape leaves many doubting its coverage. Better luck next time…
