Storm forces ITV to abandon New York rooftop studio mid-World Cup broadcast

A storm sweeping through New York compelled ITV to abandon its celebrated open-air studio mid-broadcast on Thursday, with presenter Laura Woods and her panel pushed indoors after battling gale-force gusts during coverage of Switzerland’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Woods, alongside pundits Juan Mata, Patrick Vieira, and Karen Carney, were visibly affected by the conditions on the network’s rooftop set in lower Manhattan. Woods was repeatedly forced to brush her hair from her face while presenting, and Mata’s shirt flapped sharply in the wind. Loud clattering noises in the background underscored just how severe the situation had become.

By the time coverage shifted to Canada versus Qatar, the production team had relocated to an indoor backup set, where Ange Postecoglou, United States women’s manager Emma Hayes, and Bradley Wright-Phillips were able to deliver their analysis in considerably calmer surroundings.

Viewers watching at home were quick to react. “The wind in the ITV studio is hilarious. Sounds like the place is completely falling apart in the background,” one wrote. Another noted: “It’s quite funny that after a week of people raving about ITV having a nice World Cup coverage view, it’s now so windy that it’s become borderline unwatchable.” A third simply declared: “ITV emergency indoor studio klaxon!”

The incident is a notable interruption for a studio that had earned widespread admiration since the tournament began. ITV chose to base its World Cup operation in New York rather than follow the BBC, which opted to lead its coverage from Salford. Anchor Mark Pougatch introduced the location at the outset of the tournament, describing it as “our New York loft apartment” with views of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge.

Roy Keane and Ian Wright were among those who praised the setting early in the competition. “Amazing, fantastic,” Keane said. Wright added: “It’s amazing, unbelievable set. It’s the World Cup, it should be this, it should be grand, massive.”

Thursday’s weather served as a reminder that even the most visually striking broadcast locations carry an inherent risk when left exposed to the elements.