22 September 2023 , 07:55
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The BBC have denied they are planning 'urgent' talks over the future of Football Focus after reports the programme has seen a a dramatic drop-off in viewers.
The iconic programme has been on screens for nearly 50 years but concerns were raised it could be axed after MailOnline claimed a huge chunk of its viewership has switched off in just four years. Their report claims BBC executives are due to hold urgent talks with a major rebrand being considered ahead of the programme’s 50th anniversary.
They cited a decline in average viewing figures since August 2019, while the BBC's outgoing director of sport, Barbara Slater has prioritised getting Football Focus back on track in the immediate future. But representatives for the BBC have denied this is the case and suggested the show is actually attracting more viewers than it was four years ago.
They point to the most recent set of viewing figures which they claim measured an average of 725,900 viewers compared to 643,500 on the same weekend back in 2019. The Mail's report claims the show is currently tracking at around 564,000 on average.
While Football Focus still appears popular among BBC viewers, there are still question marks over its longevity moving forward. Mark Lawrenson, who appeared on Football Focus for around 25 years, said: “It has served its time. It’s a football magazine show, but there are so many other options for viewers these days and so much competition.
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“It doesn’t surprise me. Football Focus is coming up to 50 years, which is an unbelievable run, although there was no competition 50 years ago.”
A BBC Spokesperson has insisted the programme still remains a key part of the channel’s weekly football coverage, with viewership remaining strong in its assigned time slot. A statement read: “Football Focus continues to herald the start of a whole weekend of sporting coverage across BBC Sport. Week-on-week it is the most watched programme during that time slot and iPlayer viewing figures are also strong, so we know its popularity is enduring for fans.”
Alex Scott has presented Football Focus since 2021 (Getty Images)Do you watch Football Focus? Share your thoughts on the programme in the comments below
Football Focus recently had a major switch-up among the presenting team. Alex Scott made history by becoming the first female host of the programme in May 2021.
She was preceded by Bob Wilson, Steve Rider, Gary Lineker, Ray Stubbs, Manish Bhasin and Dan Walker. The highly rated Scott is also reportedly set to be handed a prominent presenting role at the Olympics, due to take place in Paris next year. Speaking after being confirmed as Walker’s successor back in May 2021, she said: “When I was a kid, I would never have watched television and thought someone like me could be presenting a programme like Football Focus.
“For the BBC to trust me with this role and allow me to be my true, authentic self means a lot. To say I’m the Football Focus presenter feels surreal. I’ve had some amazing messages and an incredible reaction on social media - I want to thank everyone for their support.”
Football Focus will next be on screens on Saturday afternoon. Coverage gets underway at 12pm BST, with Scott hosting as usual.