Football Focus to end after 52 years on BBC TV | OneFootball

Long-running programme is set to stop airing at end of Premier League season

The BBC have confirmed that they will stop production of Football Focus after 52 years on our TV screens.

The show, used to preview the weekend’s Premier League action on a Saturday lunchtime, was first aired in 1974.

However, viewing figures have nosedived in recent years, which have resulted in the show being scrapped.

Football Focus, previously hosted by Dan Walker and now fronted by Alex Scott, will finish at the end of the current Premier League campaign.

The BBC revealed that they will be investing in their multi-platform digital content, with director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski saying in a statement: “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.

“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.”

From next season, Football Focus will be replaced in the Saturday lunchtime slot on BBC One by Kelly Somers’ ‘The Football Interview’, with the popular watchalong programme ‘Final Score’ - presented by Jason Mohammad - brought forward to a 3.45pm BST start.

The reshuffle will not affect either Match of the Day or Match of the Day 2, which will continue to run in their scheduled Saturday and Sunday night slots.

Football Focus was previously part of the ‘Grandstand’ series, with Sam Leitch fronting ‘Football Preview’.

It was renamed Football Focus, with Bob Wilson moving into the chair, in 1974, before Steve Rider, Gary Lineker, Ray Stubbs, Manish Bhasin and Dan Walker all presented the programme.

Former presenter Walker, now at Channel 5, responded to the news on X.

“Really sad to hear about the end of Football Focus,” he wrote.

“I loved that show growing up. I used to watch it every week with my dad and I remember how proud he was when I got the job.

“It was such a privilege to sit in the chair for 12 years, work with an amazing team on and off air and form so many lasting friendships. Saturdays were always special.

“The football landscape is constantly changing and it’s disappointing that there isn’t space for a show that has meant so much to so many people for so many years.”