The One Show, a staple of BBC One's evening schedule since 2006, has been taken off air for four weeks, leaving regular viewers wondering why. The programme, which airs weeknights at 7pm, is on a summer hiatus to make way for Wimbledon and other major sporting events.
Why is The One Show not on?
Wimbledon, which began on June 29 and runs until July 12, takes priority across BBC One and BBC Two, causing a significant television shake-up each year. The One Show's summer break also accommodates the Commonwealth Games, scheduled from July 23 to August 2. Co-host Alex Jones informed viewers on the last show before the break, saying: 'Now it is our last show before we take a four-week break. So tonight, we're gonna be celebrating some of the highlights of the year so far.' Her co-host JB Gill added that the break was to 'make way for more incredible sport'.
When is The One Show back?
The One Show returns to screens on July 27. The programme, currently co-hosted by Alex Jones, Roman Kemp, Ronan Keating, and Lauren Laverne, runs all year except for a two-week Christmas break and a four-week summer holiday. In recent years, other events like the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Sports Personality of the Year Awards have also forced it off air.
BBC schedule changes and cost-cutting
The hiatus comes amid reports of £800 million worth of proposed cuts at the BBC, which could lead to 550 hours of content being cut across TV and radio. BBC Breakfast will no longer air on Sunday mornings from September, and Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg and Newsnight will be merged. Radio 4's The World Tonight, a 56-year-old programme, is also said to be affected. Director general Matt Brittin has told staff that the BBC will try to spare jobs as cuts happen.
Other sports affecting the schedule
The World Cup, airing from the US, Canada, and Mexico until July 19, is also causing schedule changes on BBC and ITV. Soaps like EastEnders on BBC One have been moved to different time slots or to BBC Two to make way for matches. ITV's Emmerdale and Coronation Street are similarly affected.
The One Show returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on July 27.
