England TV viewers left in the dark as Gerrard nets
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}By Martyn Herman
LONDON (Reuters) - British broadcaster ITV apologized to viewers after thousands of England fans missed Steven Gerrard's opening World Cup goal on Saturday when a commercial was accidentally aired at the crucial moment.
The error did not affect ITV's standard service.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An ITV spokesman apologized for the "interruption" which left fans frustrated and angry.
"A transmission problem temporarily affected ITV1's HD service during the England/U.S. match. ITV standard definition service continued uninterrupted.
"We apologize for the interruption in transmission," the spokesman said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}One pub owner described scenes of pandemonium as fans realized what had happened.
"We couldn't believe it -- this advert popped up and then it goes back to the game and England are 1-0 up," Andy Quinn-Williams, landlord of the Three Tunnes in Stockport, was quoted as saying in the Sunday Telegraph.
"There was pandemonium in the pub -- it is outrageous. We all started calling friends and those watching it without HD were seeing the game without the advert."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(Editing by Jon Bramley)