The One Show, a staple of BBC One's evening lineup since 2006, has been taken off air for four weeks as major sporting events dominate the schedule. The chat show, which typically airs weeknights at 7pm, will return on July 27.
Why Is The One Show Not On?
The summer hiatus is primarily due to the Wimbledon Championships, which began on June 29 and run until July 12. The tennis tournament takes priority across BBC One and BBC Two, causing a significant television shake-up each year. Additionally, the Commonwealth Games, scheduled from July 23 to August 2, further disrupts the regular programming.
Co-host Alex Jones informed viewers on the final show before the break: '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 after a chat with Alexander Armstrong that the break was to 'make way for more incredible sport'.
Other Events That Have Displaced The One Show
In recent years, The One Show has also been pushed aside for coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the Sports Personality of the Year Awards. The BBC's FAQ explains: 'Due to breaking news or coverage of live sports, there may be occasions where the schedules might be a bit more flexible than usual. We do consider any changes very carefully, though, and try to make sure they have as little impact as possible.'
Broader BBC Schedule Changes
The hiatus comes amid reports of £800 million worth of cuts proposed at the BBC, with plans to cut 550 hours of content across TV and radio. This includes BBC Breakfast no longer airing on Sunday mornings from September, and the merging of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg and Newsnight. Radio 4's The World Tonight, after 56 years, is also reportedly affected. New director general Matt Brittin has assured staff that the BBC will try to spare jobs during the cost-cutting.
Impact of Other Sports on BBC Schedule
The World Cup, airing from the US, Canada, and Mexico until July 19 across the BBC and ITV, is also causing schedule changes. Soaps like EastEnders have been moved to different time slots or shifted to BBC Two to accommodate matches. ITV's Emmerdale and Coronation Street are similarly affected.
The One Show returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on July 27.
