The BBC has confirmed plans to expand its football content across all platforms, though sadly this will involve the end of one of its longest-running shows. Football Focus, which launched back in 1974, will air its final episode at the close of the current season, the broadcaster announced.
Currently hosted by Alex Scott, the programme's cancellation has been put down to audiences' changing viewing habits – with a "bold new slate" of YouTube content and other digital output set to arrive in the near future.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, 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.
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"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."
He added: "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.
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"We are also working on a very exciting new project with her – more to come on that soon”.
Reacting to the news on Instagram, Scott captioned a video: "52 years of an iconic football show... It’s a show that I’ll forever be honoured to be associated with and one that has made me grow as a presenter in a way I’ll always look back on with pride.
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"Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey, from the bottom of my heart it means so much. Time to get excited for big summer of sport ahead."
Football Focus previously aired as part of Grandstand on BBC One, before getting its own standalone show in 2001. Previous hosts have included Sam Leitch, Bob Wilson, Steve Rider, Gary Lineker, Ray Stubbs, Manish Bhasin and Dan Walker.
Football Focus airs on Saturdays at 12pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online, specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who'll listen.
