Football Focus has been a lunchtime fixture on BBC One for more than 50 years, but the Corporation has now confirmed the beloved Saturday show will be taken off air at the end of the season due to shifting audience habits
Former Football Focus presenter Dan Walker has given his response to the news that the show is being axed. The BBC has announced that the show will end this season after more than 50 years on air.
Walker presented the show for 12 years before leaving in 2021. He was replaced by Alex Scott, who still hosts the show now.
Taking to X, Walker said: “Really sad to hear about the end of Football Focus. I loved that show growing up.
“I used to watch it every week with my dad and I remember how proud he was when I got the job. It was such a privilege to sit in the chair for 12 years, work with an amazing team on and off air and form so many lasting friendships.
“Saturdays were always special. The football landscape is constantly changing and it’s disappointing that there isn’t space for a show that has meant so much to so many people for so many years.”
READ MORE: BBC announce ‘very exciting’ plan for Alex Scott as Football Focus cancelledREAD MORE: BBC AXE Football Focus in shock move as flagship show cancelled after over 50 yearsThe Saturday lunchtime show was first broadcast in 1974, but the BBC have stated in a press release that “changing audience behaviours” had driven the move. The BBC’s head of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, confirmed the decision had been taken prior to last week’s announcement that the broadcaster needed to slash £500million in costs over the next two years.
“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,” Kay-Jelski said.
“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.”
Kay-Jelski went on to say that regular Football Focus presenter Alex Scott would “remain at the heart” of the BBC’s sport output, including its coverage of next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The BBC confirmed that The Football Interview would take over the Saturday 12.45pm slot from next season. This season, the programme has featured interviews with Bukayo Saka, Emma Hayes, Bernardo Silva, Hugo Ekitike and Michael Carrick.
A BBC statement provided further background on the reasoning behind the decision to bring Football Focus to an end. “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,” it stated.
“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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