ITV’s World Cup studio is facing an even bigger problem than its sexism row – raucous parties at the hotel next door.
Presenters on the show risk being drowned out by the blaring music from the rooftop parties in Brooklyn, New York, which are directly over the road from the studio.
The events are taking place from 2pm to 10pm every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at the same time as World Cup games are happening.
During one party on Thursday this week the music was so loud it could be heard from the Brooklyn Bridge hundreds of yards away.
ITV is already facing intense criticism for its decision to make Emma Hayes, who is one of the show’s pundits, give her analysis from what looked like a kitchen.
Ms Hayes, who is head of the US women’s national team and won a record 15 trophies when she coached the Chelsea women’s team, had to write on a blackboard rather than a digital touchscreen used by the men.
She stood in front of what appeared to be a set of cabinets, prompting some on social media to ask: ‘Why the hell have they got Emma Hayes doing her analysis from a kitchen!’
Photos taken by the Daily Mail show that ITV’s studio – at the Panorama studios by the Brooklyn Bridge – is on the rooftop on the 11th floor, meaning it is around 170ft from the ground.
Presenters in ITV’s World Cup studio (left) risk being drowned out by the blaring music from the rooftop parties in Brooklyn, New York, which are directly over the road (right)
The events are taking place from 2pm to 10pm every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at the same time as World Cup games are happening
ITV host Laura Woods was among those hit by windswept conditions while live on air this week
Pictured are ITV football pundits Roy Keane and Ian Wright
High winds forced host Laura Woods to move to a backup location on Thursday midway through the Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina match.
Woods along with pundits Juan Mata, Karen Carney and Patrick Vieira all moved downstairs as gusts blew up to nearly 50mph.
But across the road at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, whose guests have included rapper Jay-Z, the party was in full swing.
Hundreds of people crammed onto the rooftop, which includes a pool and a bar, to dance to DJs blasting out house music.
People could be seen pumping their arms and fists into the air during the party, which carried on until 10pm.
Pictures taken by the Daily Mail show that ITV’s studio and the 1 Hotel rooftop are directly opposite each other with barely 80ft separating them.
The Thursday and Saturday parties are called Above (Ten) and videos posted online show pounding music coming out of the speakers and revelers knocking back drinks.
The next one takes place today (Saturday) and begins at 2pm local time. An hour later the Netherlands plays Sweden, followed by Germany against the Ivory Coast.
Across the road at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, whose guests have included rapper Jay-Z, a party was in full swing
Hundreds of people crammed onto the rooftop, which includes a pool and a bar, to dance to DJs blasting out house music
The party will still be going on at 8pm when Ecuador plays Curacao, creating a potential nightmare for ITV.
The Sunday parties are called Sol Together and also go from 2pm to 10pm and will also features DJs.
The party this Sunday will happen at the same time three games are due to take place: Belgium vs Iran at 3pm local time, Uruguay vs Cape Verde at 6pm and New Zealand vs Egypt at 9pm.
ITV’s elaborate setup in New York was in stark contrast to the BBC which decided to anchor its World Cup coverage from Salford with a virtual studio.
Some have criticised the BBC for not being adventurous while others have praised the corporation for saving money.
But at least when it comes to the ratings, the splurge by ITV appears to be paying off.
According to figures from Barb, which measures audience numbers, England’s opening game against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday had a peak audience of 15.4million viewers on ITV and an average of more than ten million.
Those are the highest UK TV viewing figures of the year on any channel or streamer, beating The Traitors at 9.9million.
Games during the World Cup have been split up between ITV and the BBC as they have been since 1966, with both showing the final live.
The BBC chose more games in the knockout stages where it hopes to catch up with the viewing figures.
ITV faced criticism for its decision to make Emma Hayes, who is one of the show’s pundits, give her analysis from what looked like a kitchen.
So far the BBC’s biggest viewing figures have been France vs Senegal on Tuesday which got a peak audience of 6.7million.
That was still behind ITV which had the second highest viewing figures in the first round of group games, the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
That game attracted a peak audience of 7.7million.
The Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.
