This week brought news that the BBC’s long-running show Football Focus will be cancelled, more than half a century after it first hit our screens. The Beeb cited “changes in viewer behavior” as a key factor in a statement confirming the decision to end the show. Football Focus has had a number of hosts over its long run, with Dan Walker and Alex Scott most recently serving as regular hosts. However, with reports of a decline in viewership in 2023, the two sides were at odds over the future of the program.
“It’s tough to see Football Focus struggle,” said Walker, who hosted the show from 2009 to 2021. “I’ve loved Football Focus since I was a kid, and it was an honor to present the show, and I still have fond memories of it. We put everything into that show every week and worked hard to keep it relevant. We hope it remains a part of television,” Scott replied with a GIF, urging Walker to clarify his statement and wish his fellow broadcasters well. Not to be outdone, the former England women’s international also provided a sharp reminder of what lies ahead.
“Tomorrow we have a big interview scheduled for the award-winning Football Focus with Ange Postecoglou and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Make that your headline,” she added. The broadcast in question was broadcast ahead of Postecoglou’s first game as Tottenham manager, a North London derby, which ended 2-2.
When the BBC confirmed the cancellation of Football Focus, it made clear that Scott’s role in the broadcast line-up was far from over. “Football Focus is now led by the brilliant Alex Scott and will continue to be at the heart of BBC Sport’s football coverage and sport’s biggest moments,” the statement read in part.
“Alex will play a key role in this year’s FIFA World Cup, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and BBC Sport’s continued coverage of the Women’s Super League. She will also be one of the hosts of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards this year, and further new and exciting projects with Alex will be announced in the coming months.”
BBC Director of Sport Alex Kagelski described Scott as “one of our best presenters” and hinted at “very exciting” business with Scott to be announced soon. Kay-Jelski also shed more light on the reasons behind the decision to discontinue Football Focus after such a long period on terrestrial television.
“Football Focus is a hugely important program in the history of BBC Sport and has played a key role in telling the story of the game to generations of viewers,” Kay Jelski said in a statement. “This decision comes ahead of the BBC’s wider savings announcement last week and reflects the continued changes in the way viewers engage with football and our commitment to evolving the way we deliver content to fans wherever they are.”
