
Unscheduled ad breaks and production errors during Arsenal vs HB Koge match spark criticism from fans and broadcasters
AI-generated summary
Disney+ is in its second season of broadcasting the Women's Champions League, with matches produced by ESPN. The network introduced a new studio show format called 'The Hangout' this season.
A three-minute advert break during a Women's Champions League game was not scheduled, says Disney+.
Arsenal and HB Koge were drawing 0-0 in the second half on Tuesday when coverage was interrupted.
It was one of several technical issues during the coverage, which fans said was "gimmicky" and "undermines" women's football. One guest was a dog with 137,000 Instagram followers.
"We are aware that our customers experienced an unintended interruption during the second half of the match on Tuesday evening," Disney told BBC Sport.
"This was a technical issue and our team is taking steps to ensure it does not happen again.
"This was not an intended ad break and we understand the frustration this disruption caused to our customers watching the game."
Arsenal won 1-0 in their first game of this season's competition thanks to a stoppage-time Mariona Caldentey penalty.
Disney's coverage also featured a vegetable platter being served and a rotating floor.
Alex Scott hosted the first show of the season, alongside former England forward Lianne Sanderson, content creators Alex Bailess and Tyra Mills, and a dog called Barley Boy.
There was no explanation for his presence on set other than his Instagram following.
It was the second season of the Women's Champions League to be broadcast on Disney+. Matches are produced by ESPN.
New this season is "The Hangout", described by Disney as a live studio show billed as a "new match-day experience for fans, delivering pre-match build-up, half-time analysis and post-match reaction".
In a media release before the first round of fixtures, Disney said: "The Hangout will combine expert analysis with fresh perspectives and fan engagement."
However, the evening was marred by a series of technical issues – from players waiting to be interviewed but unable to hear questions from the studio, to a rotating floor that appeared to have a mind of its own.
There were also camera shots with cushions blocking the view of Scott, and audio synchronisation problems.
Italian reporter Roberto Perrone, in Milan for Inter Milan's match against Swedish side Hacken, also encountered audio problems.
When the sound returned, viewers were shown a non-football-themed quiz, with questions ranging from types of pasta to Italy's biggest city.
One fan wrote on X: "I think a lot of the problem with the debates in women's football broadcasting over analysis and punditry vs content creation and gimmicky fun, is that in men's football you can get both - and in different shows.
"In women's football, you get one show, and so they try to do it all."
Another fan wrote: "We want women's football to be taken seriously, yet coverage like this undermines that. Personality and fun have their place, but not at the expense of the football.
"The game doesn't need gimmicks to make it interesting. Give the players, the competition and the football itself the same focus, analysis and respect we expect elsewhere in the sport.
"Women's football is more than capable of being the main event."
Megan Ferina, a journalist for the Athletic, said: "Watching Disney's coverage is like going in and out of a lucid dream.
"Why is there a dog? Why is the couch spinning? Why do the adverts cut right into analysis?"
Flo Lloyd-Hughes, a broadcaster and writer for the Cutback, said: "Why does women's football coverage always have to be so gimmicky? It's the Champions League, not Blue Peter.
"Put some pundits who know about the teams in a studio, make sure the tech works and have a decent bit of time for build-up and analysis to contextualise everything."
Last November concerns were raised over the professionalism and legitimacy of the Women's League Cup quarter-final and semi-final draw, which was conducted by social media influencer GK Barry.
In the same month Sky Sports scrapped its new female-focused TikTok channel, Halo, after it faced a backlash online, with its posts described as "patronising" and "sexist".
Disney+ coverage continues on Wednesday with Chelsea hosting Austria Wien at 20:00 BST.

Defender of the Turkish football club Bandirmaspor Tolga Kalender died at the age of 25. This was reported by the Match TV channel with reference to the press service of the Turkish Football Federation. The cause of death has not been specified. According to the Aykiri portal, the football player died in hospital after treatment due to health problems. The funeral will take place on Wednesday. The Turkish Football Federation expressed its condolences to the family, loved ones and the football community.

Andre Agassi advised Emma Raducano to focus on daily performance without linking it to results, after the British player revealed that his biography inspired her in her attempts to overcome her decline in major tournaments. Virgil van Dijk also expressed his aspiration to see his former coach Jurgen Klopp before the match between the Netherlands and Germany in the European Nations League, with his hope of defeating him. Manchester United expects its revenues to rise in 2027 despite continued financial losses.

Jarrad Branthwaite expresses his happiness at returning to the England national team after repeated injuries, while Virgil van Dijk prepares to face his former coach Jurgen Klopp, at a time when Manchester United expects to increase its revenues despite continuing financial losses.

Dutch national team captain Virgil van Dijk is looking forward to facing his former coach Jurgen Klopp in his first match as coach of the German national team in the European Nations League, expressing his appreciation for their career together in Liverpool and his desire to achieve victory.

After a dismal start to the 2026 season, the Boston Red Sox have secured the futures of Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and manager Chad Tracy. A historic 30-game run propelled the team to the postseason, validating ownership's decision to maintain stability.

Mexican specialist Javier Aguirre took over the leadership of the Spanish football club Valencia. The contract runs until the end of the season with an option to extend. Aguirre takes over from Oscar Sanchez and the team is 19th in La Liga.