BBC Media Correspondent Torin Douglas reports on the issues at stake for both sides in the dispute

Live programmes are being disrupted by a 24-hour walkout, by members of the Bectu - the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union - who are in dispute with management over working practices.

Striking technicians have warned they will pull the plug on the football and also black out other sporting highlights such as Wimbledon and Royal Ascot.

Coverage of the first cricket Test match between England and South Africa is expected to go ahead despite falling on the same day as the current stoppage.

But news and other live programmes are being affected.

Battle in France

Another one-day strike is planned for Tuesday and further action will be planned as the World Cup opens with Scotland's first match in Paris on Wednesday, unless the dispute is settled.

The BBC is planning to present its World Cup coverage live from the French capital. But this together with vital matches involving England and Scotland could be hit as Bectu has urged French broadcasting unions to help.

Bectu official Gerry Morrissey said: "The six French broadcasting unions have pledged their support.

"They have agreed to call meetings with their members to discuss industrial action if progress is not made by us.

"There is no question that we can take these matches off the air with French support. We could also stop the Radio 5 Live coverage of all the matches without outside help."

But the BBC is ready for this although details are not being made public.

A spokeswoman would say no more than: "We have contingency plans but we are not prepared to discuss them at the moment."

Recorded material

In the current dispute, Radio 5 Live was one of the first to be affected after midnight. Previously broadcast material was used in place of its normal live overnight and breakfast programming.

There was no Breakfast News programme on BBC1 and the Today programme was not broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

A day's shooting of EastEnders is likely to be disrupted

Talks between the union and management were adjourned late on Wednesday with an agreement to reconvene on Friday. The union has threatened another stoppage next week if the dispute is not settled.

Bectu members, who include camera operators, technicians and outside broadcast staff are striking over plans for the technical arm of the corporation to be reorganised as a separate company called BBC Resources.

The union claims the shake-up with BBC Resources could lead to job losses as expensive experienced staff are dumped and wages cut.

The BBC says it has no plans to privatise its studios, but insists it wants them to compete for work from outside programme-makers. It also claims licence payers expect it to employ modern working methods and the latest technology.