BBC to scrap iconic football show after 52 years with Alex Scott stripped of role | Football | Sport
The BBC have canned Football Focus (Image: Getty)
The BBC have announced that they are cancelling Football Focus at the end of the season. Having debuted in 1974, the flagship football programme has kept fans across the country informed through the 3pm blackout.
However, after 52 years of broadcast, the corporation have decided that Football Focus has run its course due to ever-changing audience behaviours. A statement confirming the news read: “Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has decided to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season. First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have worked on it over the years and, of course, the audience.
“The programme has been a staple of the BBC’s football coverage for decades, providing fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game ahead of the weekend’s fixtures. But changing audience behaviours mean fans are now increasingly consuming
“Fans are accessing discussion, highlights, analysis and news through digital platforms and on-demand viewing and as viewing habits continue to evolve, it is right that BBC Sport adapts how it brings football coverage to the widest audiences across television, radio, online and to its extensive social platforms.
“BBC Sport boasts a strong football rights portfolio and is set to significantly expand its digital output this year growing content across BBC platforms, as well as a bold new slate of exclusive shows on YouTube.
“Featuring fresh formats, big personalities and more frequent, always-on content tailored for digital audiences, the expansion will bring fans closer to the game than ever before delivering more high-quality, accessible and engaging football coverage at scale. We will release further details on these plans in the coming months.”
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Football Focus has been broadcast for more than half a century (Image: Getty)
As a result of the decision, Alex Scott – who presents the widely-watched programme – will instead focus on being “at the heart of BBC Sport’s football coverage and biggest sporting moments.”
The pundit will play a major part in this summer’s World Cup as well as the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the BBC’s ongoing coverage of the Women’s Super League.
The 41-year-old will also remain as one of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards hosts, and has “more new and exciting projects” round the corner according to the Beeb. These will be confirmed in the coming months.
Speaking on the move, director or BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski 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.
“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.”
Through the move, The Football Interview will move to Saturdays at 12.45pm on BBC One next season. Final Score – fronted by Jason Mohammad – will also start at the earlier time of 3.45pm on the same channel.
