The noise from rooftop parties across the street is so loud it can be heard from the Brooklyn Bridge, hundreds of yards away. And it is blasting out at the same time ITV's pundits are trying to analyse World Cup games from their 11th-floor studio in New York.
The broadcaster has set up for this summer's tournament at the Panorama studios next to the Brooklyn Bridge, hoping for picturesque skyline views. Instead, it has been hit by raucous parties at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opposite — the same hotel where rapper Jay-Z has previously stayed.
“ITV's World Cup studio faces noisy parties opposite amid sexism row over Emma Hayes' blackboard setup.”
According to the Daily Mail, blaring music from the hotel's rooftop, where guests have been seen partying next to a swimming pool and DJ set, has caused problems. The sound carries from around 2pm to 10pm every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and a further party is due to begin at 2pm on the day of the Netherlands-Sweden match, with Germany playing Ivory Coast and Ecuador facing Curacao later.
The disruption is the latest blow for ITV, which has already faced accusations of sexism over its treatment of Emma Hayes. The Chelsea manager, who won a record 15 trophies at the club, was provided with a stick of chalk, a blackboard and little else for her World Cup analysis. One TV source told the Daily Mail the setup was “hugely embarrassing”, adding: “Can you imagine ITV putting Gary Neville on a set like that? No chance that would happen.”
BBC presenter Dan Walker also weighed in, saying: “I really like Emma Hayes and I think she’s an insightful pundit. I’m not sure why they have decided to make it look like she’s writing the specials on a bistro chalkboard.”
SunSport has contacted ITV for comment on the noisy parties and the sexism row, but has yet to receive a response.