BBC broadcasts it is scrapping iconic sports activities present after 52 years
The BBC have introduced that its iconic present, Soccer Focus, can be coming to an finish this summer season after 52 years.
Soccer Focus was first launched in 1974 and have become a staple programme on the BBC each Saturday all through the season.
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However the resolution has been made to scrap the present, which offers evaluation, interviews and extra earlier than the weekend’s video games.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson was the primary Soccer Focus host over half a century in the past, with Steve Rider, Gary Lineker, Ray Stubbs, Manish Bhasin and Dan Walker all taking the position too.
The present and now remaining host has been ex-Lioness Alex Scott, with issues coming to an finish on the finish of this marketing campaign.
Saying the cancellation of the programme, the BBC wrote: “Following in depth consideration, BBC Sport has made the tough resolution to say goodbye to Soccer Focus on the finish of this season.
“The programme has been a staple of the BBC’s soccer protection for many years, offering followers with interviews, evaluation and tales from throughout the sport forward of the weekend’s fixtures.
“However altering viewers behaviours imply followers at the moment are more and more consuming soccer content material in numerous methods and we have to reply appropriately as we face tough choices round how the licence charge is spent.”
Director of BBC Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, stated: “Soccer Focus has been a vastly vital programme within the historical past of BBC Sport and has performed a key position in telling the tales of the sport for generations of viewers.
“This resolution was made earlier than final week’s wider BBC financial savings announcement, reflecting the continued shift in how audiences interact with soccer and our dedication to evolving how we ship content material to achieve followers wherever they’re.”
The BBC can be reshuffling its Saturday protection following the scrapping of its iconic, long-running present.
From the beginning of the 2026/27 season, The Soccer Interview, hosted by Kelly Somers, will transfer to the 12:45pm slot on the channel, whereas Last Rating will begin at 3:45pm, which is sooner than this 12 months.
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Scott staying put
Ex-England worldwide and Arsenal defender Scott can be transferring on from internet hosting Soccer Focus after the cancellation.
Nonetheless, the BBC have confirmed she can be staying with them.
They wrote: “Alex Scott is one in every of our best presenters, is vastly common throughout the boys’s and girls’s recreation and is a giant a part of our current and future
“She is going to stay on the coronary heart of our sports activities output throughout each the boys’s World Cup this 12 months and the Girls’s World Cup in 2027.
“In addition to persevering with her lead position on the Girls’s Tremendous League and BBC Sports activities Character of the 12 months.
“We’re additionally engaged on a really thrilling new venture along with her – extra to come back on that quickly.”
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‘Actually unhappy’
Former Soccer Focus host Walker has given his ideas on the BBC’s cancellation of the long-lasting programme.
He wrote on X: “Actually unhappy to listen to in regards to the finish of Soccer Focus.
“I cherished that present rising up. I used to look at it each week with my dad and I keep in mind how proud he was once I bought the job.
“It was such a privilege to sit down within the chair for 12 years, work with an incredible staff on and off air and type so many lasting friendships.
“Saturdays have been all the time particular.
“The soccer panorama is consistently altering and it’s disappointing that there isn’t house for a present that has meant a lot to so many individuals for thus a few years.”
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Responses