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BBC Sport has announced that after 52 years on air, the long-running football television programme, Football Focus, will be coming to an end. The show, which first launched in 1974, had been a staple for fans seeking interviews, analysis, and stories from around the football world ahead of weekend matches. Over the decades, it became a familiar part of many football supporters’ Saturdays.
In recent years, however, viewing habits have evolved significantly. The rise in digital platforms and on-demand viewing options means that audiences are increasingly accessing pre-match content online, leading to a steady decline in traditional television viewers since 2018. As a consequence of these shifting trends, BBC Sport has decided to conclude Football Focus at the end of the current season.
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, reflected on the programme’s legacy, stating, “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.” He also emphasized that the decision to end Football Focus was made independently of the wider BBC savings announced recently, highlighting instead the ongoing change in how football audiences engage with content. Kay-Jelski reaffirmed the broadcaster’s commitment to adapting and expanding its coverage across digital channels to meet fans wherever they choose to follow the sport.
Looking ahead, from next season BBC One will introduce Kelly Somers’ The Football Interview on Saturdays at 12:45 BST, with Final Score moving to an earlier slot at 15:45 BST. Notable football figures such as Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike, and Manchester United’s Michael Carrick have recently appeared on The Football Interview. BBC Sport also plans to increase its digital football output, including exclusive shows on YouTube, aiming to provide more accessible and engaging coverage. Football Focus began as part of the Grandstand show, evolving from a predecessor known as Football Preview. Bob Wilson, a former Arsenal goalkeeper, became an iconic presenter during his 20-year tenure starting in 1974. Other hosts over the years included Steve Rider, Gary Lineker, Ray Stubbs, Manish Bhasin, and Dan Walker, who presented the show for 12 years. The programme’s final presenter will be Alex Scott, who has been hosting for the past five years and remains an influential figure at the BBC. Kay-Jelski praised Scott as “one of our finest presenters,” noting her popularity across both men’s and women’s football and her ongoing role in major football events including the upcoming men’s World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Scott herself described her time on Football Focus as “incredibly special” and spoke warmly about the honour of presenting the show and working alongside talented colleagues, sharing her comments on Instagram
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