In general, news channels will provide previews to the tournament with the main aim being to provide action, insight, exclusive interviews and topical features to Indian audiences, which are not directly connected with the Fifa WC in the absence of the national team in the tourney.

As is the new trend, most sports and news channels get former players to speak on the game. Not only this gives the viewers a feeling of being addressed by an expert, but adds to the glamour quotient.

Bhaichung Bhutia to share his experties on CNN-IBN

CNN IBN, for example, will have a six-minute capsule with Indian football’s poster boy Bhaichung Bhutia called Bend it like Baichung as a run-up to the World Cup.

India’s ace striker and captain Bhutia on the show will offer tips on how to play and share some of his own experiences besides giving views on various teams vying for glory.

Stephen Constantine on Times Now 'Boots Of Gold'

Similarly, Times Now will have on board Stephen Constantine, former Indian football coach and a UEFA pro licence holder, who will give his expert views on a show called Boots Of Gold. Sports buff and model Kelly Dorjee will anchor the show.

At Headlines Today, the executive producer S Srinivasan states that the channel is featuring a special segment Sports Quarter at 8 am and 8 pm. In the run-up to the World Cup, the channel is already airing a half hour programme The Greatest Show on Earth.

Srinivasan confirms that the channel is looking at roping in two experts and is in the final stages of signing them up.

With increasingly sports becoming entertainment, TV channels don’t leave stones unturned to hype events.

Channel7, for instance, will be doing their stunts at the German ambassador’s residence in Delhi during the opening.

Says CNN IBN’s Venkatraman, “We will be showcasing the inaugural match from the residence of the German ambassador in Delhi where our anchor will host the show, interact with people and have reactions on this wonderful game.”

As far as the foreign news broadcasters are concerned, CNN International will have two of its reporters representing world sport and two producers, plus a number of CNN news reporters from its bureaus in Germany, backed up by staff from London.

CNN's World Sport anchors Patrick Snell and Mark McKay will provide extensive coverage of the 2006 World Cup in Germany from 9 June with analysis, interviews, updates and, of course, all the latest results on the most sought after football tournament.

“We will have insight throughout the tournament from all the key story makers, players and coaches....legends like Pele, Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Bobby Charlton are all regulars on CNN. And they know what it takes to win a world cup too,” Snell said.

On the other hand, BBC World has branded the event as Football Fever. Promising a variety of football-focused programmes, including a documentary about the great Brazilian player Pelé, the channel will look at two promising young football players in Football and Freedom, which examines whether the boys' social and economic status in post-apartheid South Africa would allow them to achieve their dreams.

Football Magic looks at what happens when 21st century football collides with a centuries-old African tradition. Sport Today will be bringing all the latest sports coverage and results from around the world, with extra editions of the programme being shown throughout the duration of the World Cup.

As far as the other highlights go, the channel will feature My World Cup attempting to have a universal appeal with an aim to capture the build-up and excitement to one of the most widely anticipated sporting events of the year.