Alex has presented Football Focus since 2021 (Image: Matt McNulty – The FA, The FA via Getty Images)
The BBC has introduced several sweeping changes to its football programming since the beginning of the season. The broadcaster recently confirmed that Football Focus is to be scrapped at the end of this campaign, having first aired on Grandstand back in 1974.
A BBC press release stated that the decision to bring the curtain down on the long-running show, which has been fronted by Alex Scott since 2021, was driven by “changing audience behaviours” and its “need to respond appropriately”. Director of 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.” The removal of Football Focus from the BBC’s weekly schedule will have a knock-on effect on other football programmes next season, while this campaign has already seen significant changes to Match of the Day. Here, Express Sport rounds up how the broadcaster has altered its football output over the past year.
New weekend schedule
The void left by Football Focus has prompted the BBC to implement two scheduling changes for next season. The programme currently occupies a Saturday lunchtime slot, previewing the weekend’s fixtures.
It has been confirmed that The Football Interview, presented by Kelly Somers, will shift to 12.45pm on Saturdays for the 2025/26 campaign. Notable guests on the programme this season have included Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike and Manchester United boss Michael Carrick.
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Furthermore, Final Score will start at thea earlier time of 3.45pm, giving fans more updates on matches from around the country. Much like Football Focus, the show originally formed part of Grandstand before becoming a standalone programme in 2001 and is presented by Jason Mohammad. Both The Football Interview and Final Score will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Match of the Day name change
A subtle tweak was made to Match of the Day this season as the BBC scrapped the Match of the Day 2 title for the Sunday edition of the show. The broadcaster’s Champions League highlights show also uses the Match of the Day banner, making it easier for fans to find football highlights.
Jason Mohammad presents Final Score for BBC Sport (Image: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Ahead of the season, Match of the Day presenter Mark Chapman said to the Radio Times: “I’m intrigued, really, because I’ve never viewed Saturdays and Sundays as any different.” Fellow Match of the Day host Gabby Logan added: “In many weeks, Match of the Day 2 has been a stronger line-up. Match of the Day is Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays [for Champions League highlights]. It’s not Match of the Day 1, Match of the Day 2, it’s just Match of the Day.”
The BBC has further underlined its commitment to bolstering its online offering by making weekend Premier League highlights available at 8pm or 30 minutes after the final evening fixture ends. These video packages can be accessed via the BBC Sport app, website and iPlayer ahead of Match of the Day’s broadcast on Saturday or Sunday evenings.
Presenter shake-up
This season has ushered in a fresh chapter for Match of the Day following former presenter Gary Lineker’s departure. The 65-year-old had fronted the BBC’s flagship football programme since 1999.
Gary Lineker left Match of the Day at the end of the 2024/25 season (Image: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images)
The BBC revealed last year that three presenters would share the prestigious role. Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan have hosted the various editions of the programme on a rotating basis throughout the campaign.
Upon being confirmed as one of the three Match of the Day hosts, Logan admitted: “There’s an enormous responsibility to make sure we continue to evolve while at the same time respecting the traditions of Match of the Day. People want to see the goals, they want to see the incidents, they want to see the moments everyone’s talking about, so while we can tinker at the edges, the core is the football.”
Cates said about hosting the much-loved programme: “Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know that’s going to be a really incredible moment. I’ve worked with a lot of the pundits before and they’re all fantastic, so I’m just looking forward to getting started.”
On sharing presenting duties with Cates and Logan, Chapman said: “This isn’t about the three of us, it’s about the three of us plus our pundits, plus our editors, plus our analysts and stats people and production people, radio and online. Genuinely this is about all of us as a department working together.”