Over the last 3 and a half weeks, we’ve produced 31 Women’s EURO 2022 matches with the BBC, which has been a massive team effort, from runners, through to camera operators, producers, editors, directors and talent.
The tournament has achieved record audiences, with 17.4M watching the final in the UK, making it the most watched women’s football game on UK TV ever and most watched programme in the UK so far in 2022.
Whisper CEO Sunil Patel, looked back on Whisper’s approach to women’s football, up until this point.
“Last night’s historic win caps a historic month of action and coverage, delivered by the BBC with Whisper.
“At Whisper in 2016, we set out a clear vision to target women’s sport as a whole. The target was not only to produce women’s sport, but to change the way it was produced. We wanted to elevate it and celebrate it.
“It hasn’t been easy. Budgets have been often been low and support has fluctuated. However, we’ve always invested in it, even if it hasn’t made commercial sense for the business.
“I think back to the early years of our FA and WSL coverage, when budgets were tight and the infrastructure was challenging. When you start from that position, you really value where we’ve collectively got to.
“Yesterday and throughout the last month, it feels like we’ve come close to delivering what we set out to in 2016. A tournament delivered that captured the nations hearts and minds. Production values on parity with the biggest tournaments in the world.
“Amidst the celebrations there’s also opportunity to learn. We can always get better and grow, no matter how experienced you are.
“Huge credit to the BBC for backing the EURO and Whisper so brilliantly. There have been others too, Channel 4 most notably in 2017.
“The peak of 17.5m on BBC One and the additional 6m online for the final will no doubt make headlines - well behind the formidable Lionesses on the pitch! What a squad of wonderful role models and household names.
“As Gabby Logan brilliantly said last night, ‘You think it’s all over, it’s only just begun’. We’ve been part of history, the start of something special and it feels like we are only just getting started.
“Thanks to our production team, on air talent, freelancers, partners, BBC, Lionesess and viewers for making the Summer of ‘22 one to remember.
“What a brilliant time for Women’s Sport. We are so happy to be a small part of it.”
