It’s the World Cup studio that has taken British viewers by storm.
While the BBC has opted for a controversial work-from-home operation this World Cup, ITV have made the ‘Greatest City In the World’ its home.
Nestled among the skyscrapers of the Concrete Jungle, the network has secured a prime location in New York City for its coverage of the blockbuster tournament.
So far, throughout the group stage, viewers have been treated to the breathtaking panoramic views of Manhattan’s iconic skyline and the city’s famous landmarks.
ITV has made the rooftop of Panorama Brooklyn Studios on the site of the Columbia Heights Watchtower complex – the abandoned global headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses – its base for the football extravaganza.
Stepping off the final rung of the metal steps onto the towering rooftop structure on a behind-the-scenes tour, the stunning view demanded an awed gasp.
ITV have made Columbia Heights Watchtower in Brooklyn their home for the World Cup
The rooftop studio boasts stunning view of the New York skyline behind ITV’s pundits
It should. After all, it’s a masterpiece that has taken almost two years in the making.
It was a process that began around 18 months out from the World Cup – which is being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico – when ITV Sport began scouting locations.
The team always knew they wanted New York to be their studio home for the tournament, which has stretched across 11 US host cities. Of course they did, it is one of the most iconic metropolitans in the States, if not the world.
The real question was; where could they find the perfect spot amid the bedlam of the Big Apple?
Luckily for ITV, they found it on the first try. Panorama Brooklyn Studios was the first location they viewed. And while they gave the other dozen properties they had lined up a fair shot, they knew it was the perfect fit.
From there, the real work began.
Set in the bustling heart of DUMBO, Brooklyn, rather than the swanky heights of Manhattan, the team wanted to capture ‘the greatest loft in the world.’
Striving to deliver that industrial yet hearty character of the beloved borough, ITV has blended real life set with advanced virtual production techniques.
The entire studio structure sits atop a three-meter platform atop the existing rooftop
The studio, which also combines virtual production, createst a true Brooklyn loft-style feel
A more relaxed sofa-style area sits in front of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge
The Statue of Liberty, along with Governors Island and downtown, can be seen in the distance
The concept produced 360-degree wraparound interior that integrates real-time video graphics into the studio.
The graphics enhance the loft experience, panning from the Maradona poster adorning the walls above the cast-iron pillars to the vintage camper van – a nod to ITV’s World Cup opening credits.
From the green screen, cameras are able to pan to the studio’s main seating area where viewers can catch Roy Keane, Ian Wright, Gary Neville and co. giving their expert analysis in front of one of the world’s most recognizable skylines.
The rooftop also features the controversial kitchen area where Emma Hayes was filmed breaking down plays and a more relaxed sofa-style area.
The entire studio sits atop a purpose-built structure three meters above the Columbia Heights Watchtower complex’s actual roof. The top of the studio – aka the ‘loft roof’ – sits rises another three meters above that towering over the Brooklyn Bridge to the right.
It took around five or six weeks to construct the entire studio structure – stilts and all – using local American contractors, just in time for the World Cup to kick off.
And it was all necessary to ensure a picture perfect display for the audience back home in the UK. Without the extra height of the three-meter stilts,viewers may have ended up with the Statue of Liberty growing out of Keane’s head or the Freedom Tower emerging from Mark Pougatch’s shoulders.
Of course, there were greater obstacles to navigate than Manhattan’s landmarks. Most notably, New York’s capricious climate.
The structure was elevated to ensure that the skyline sat perfectly behind Roy Keane and co.
The ITV gallery is also location, sat on the top floor of the building below the studio
In case of weather-related emergencies, a smaller indoor studio has been created
ITV were forced to abandon their New York World Cup studio due to strong winds in the area
The weather in the Big Apple can flip from 38-degree heat waves to thunderstorms to battering wins in the span of mere hours.
But have no fear, ITV has a contingency plan in place for everything – as Laura Woods discovered last week.
The strong winds in Brooklyn were a little too much for the team covering the group game between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina to face, and they were forced to retreat downstairs where an emergency indoor studio – normally acting as a green room – sits.
As for the extreme weather warning this weekend, when temperatures are set to soar to heights of 39 degrees Celsius, there is no need to be concerned of a sweating Keane or a sunstroke-hit Neville.
The flooring of the rooftop studio is fit with air vents at the base of each chair, blasting the relief of air conditioning up to their pundits.
It’s quite the contrast to the Salford-based studio the BBC have faced backlash for.
In the battle of the British broadcasters, the BBC opted to work from home rather than send pundits and presenters to the competition.
In reverse, ITV’s endeavors have ensure they have brought the Big Apple to Britain, making viewers feel as if they are sat on the banks of the East River rather than their sofas.
