Fans watching the Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City on ITV were in for a silent surprise. The broadcast on ITV’s HD channel kicked off without any sound for the first thirty minutes, leaving many viewers less than impressed. As social media lit up with grumbles, from jokes about muted commentary to questioning ITV’s tech checks, the frustration was loud and clear. Imagine gearing up for an exciting final only to be greeted by silent interviews with footy legends Ian Wright and Micah Richards!
ITV swiftly acknowledged the issue with a pop-up apology for the audio glitch, but that didn’t stop fans from having a cheeky dig. “ITV’s new take: Just subtitles for today!” and “If Gary Neville’s not commenting, maybe silence is golden?” were among the top quips flying around online. Another fan speculated if ITV had perhaps struck a unique deal with Sky Sports for visuals minus the sound.
The rights for the Carabao Cup final were shared with ITV as part of a sub-licensing deal made two years earlier, allowing some EFL matches to air on free-to-view television alongside Sky Sports’ own broadcasts. This collaboration reportedly brought in an extra £15 million to EFL clubs, supporting the growth of English football beyond the Premier League.
Despite the temporary silence, fans could still enjoy the excitement of the final across various Sky channels, ensuring that the beautiful game continues with its signature roar. Did you catch the match? How did you handle the silent treatment? Let us know in the comments! ⚽🔇📺