The BBC is scrapping its long-running Saturday lunchtime show Football Focus at the end of this season, ending a run that began in 1974. However, the broadcaster has confirmed that host Alex Scott will continue to play a central role in its sports programming.
Changing Viewing Habits
The decision to axe the magazine show, which has been a staple of BBC Sport coverage for more than half a century, comes as audiences increasingly consume football content through digital platforms and on-demand services. The BBC stated: "Fans are now increasingly consuming football content in different ways and we need to respond appropriately as we face difficult decisions around how the licence fee is spent."
BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski explained: "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."
Alex Scott's Future
Former England and Arsenal footballer Alex Scott, 41, has become one of the BBC’s lead sports presenters. Despite the end of Football Focus, she will remain a prominent figure at the corporation. The BBC confirmed her involvement in this summer’s Men’s World Cup, the 2027 Women’s World Cup, the Women’s Super League, and the Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
Kay-Jelski 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. We are also working on a very exciting new project with her – more to come on that soon."
The scrapping of Football Focus follows the BBC’s decision last year to part ways with Gary Lineker after more than two decades as presenter of Match of the Day.
