As the SWR also announced on Friday in Mainz, a woman will also comment live on the final for the radio for the first time in ARD history. It is not yet clear who that will be. Last July, Julia Metzner from SWR was the first woman to report live from the final of the European Championship in London for public radio. Until then, a final commentator at a men’s World Cup or European Championship had only been available on private radio in Germany.
ARD is setting up a joint broadcasting center and studio with ZDF in Mainz for the World Cup, also to save costs. Fewer employees than before would have to travel to the World Cup. ARD and ZDF had already worked closely together at previous major sporting events.
SWR announces critical reporting on Qatar
The SWR will follow the World Cup critically. There will be a report with ex-professional Thomas Hitzlsperger and a contribution in the “Story im Erste” series in advance. Qatar has been criticized as the host for the human rights situation and the conditions for foreign workers.