BBC confirms changes to two more shows as Football Focus scrapped after 52 years | Football | Sport
The BBC has announced changes to Final Score and The Football Interview ahead of next season. The broadcaster has unveiled a fresh weekend timetable as part of a scheduling overhaul, which will also see Football Focus axed.
Final Score has remained a fixture for generations of football enthusiasts throughout the UK, delivering match reports from across the nation. Initially part of Grandstand, it transformed into a standalone programme in 2001 and is currently hosted by Jason Mohammad. The Football Interview is hosted by Kelly Somers and offers a glimpse into some of the sport’s leading figures. This season’s participants have featured the likes of Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva and Liverpool forward Hugo Ekiktike.
Both programmes are set for new broadcast timeslots following the decision to axe Football Focus. The BBC has outlined how The Football Interview and Final Score will integrate into its revamped weekend lineup.
In a statement, Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: “From next season, The Football Interview will move to Saturday at 12:45 on BBC One, where the biggest names in the game open up about what makes them tick.
“This season has already seen some of football’s most talked‐about stars revealing their secrets to Kelly Somers, including Bukayo Saka, Emma Hayes, Bernardo Silva, Hugo Ekitike and Michael Carrick.
“Final Score with Jason Mohammad will start earlier on BBC One at 15:45, bringing fans all the goals, drama and decisive moments as reporters and a team of expert analysts break down every twist and turn from the afternoon’s matches.
“Both programmes will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer. “
The changes arrive following the BBC’s farewell to Football Focus. The enduring weekly programme was initially broadcast in 1974 as part of Grandstand.
Much like Final Score, the magazine-format show became an independent programme in 2001.
Alex Scott has fronted Football Focus since 2021. The BBC’s announcement stated the decision to end the show was taken owing to “changing audience behaviours” and the corporation’s “need to respond appropriately”.
Kay-Jelski remarked: “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.
“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.
“Alex Scott is one of our finest presenters, is hugely popular across the men and women’s game and is a big part of our present and future.
“She will remain at the heart of our sports output across both the Men’s World Cup this year and the Women’s World Cup in 2027, as well as continuing her lead role on the Women’s Super League and BBC Sport Personality of the Year.
“We are also working on a very exciting new project with her – more to come on that soon.”
