BBC axes iconic Football Focus after 52 years

The BBC has scrapped Football Focus after 52 years on television.

The Saturday lunchtime show, first broadcast in 1974 with Bob Wilson as host, provides interviews, analysis and stories ahead of the weekend’s football fixtures.

The show is currently hosted by former Arsenal and England defender Alex Scott, who took over from Dan Walker in 2021.

However, the BBC has pointed out that television viewing figures have gradually declined since 2018, with audiences turning more to digital platforms to get their pre-match content.

The show has suffered a drastic drop in viewing figures in recent years, falling from 957,000 in 2019-20 to 687,000 three years later. Last season had a minor upturn with 739,000.

The BBC said in a statement that ‘changing audience behaviours mean fans are now increasingly consuming football content in different ways and we need to respond appropriately as we face difficult decisions around how the licence fee is spent’.

Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: ‘Football Focus has been a hugely important programme in the history of BBC Sport and has played a key role in telling the stories of the game for generations of viewers.

Football Focus presenter history

Bob Wilson – 1974 to 1994
Steve Rider – 1994 to 1996
Gary Lineker – 1996 to 1999
Ray Stubbs – 1999 to 2004
Manish Bhasin – 2004 to 2009
Dan Walker – 2009 to 2021
Alex Scott – 2021-present

‘This decision was made before last week’s wider BBC savings announcement, reflecting the continued shift in how audiences engage with football and our commitment to evolving how we deliver content to reach fans wherever they are.’

The 12.45pm slot on BBC1 on Saturday will be taken next season by The Football Interview show, where presenter Kelly Somers will talk to top names within football.

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