Football Focus will not be shown during the new Premier League season after the legendary BBC show was cancelled at the end of the last campaign. The programme was on the airwaves for 52 years before the corporation decided to axe it due to "changing audience behaviours".
BBC Statement on Cancellation
The news was announced in April earlier this year, with a statement from the BBC reading: "Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has decided to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season. First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have worked on it over the years and, of course, the audience."
The statement continued: "The programme has been a staple of the BBC’s football coverage for decades, providing fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game ahead of the weekend’s fixtures. But changing audience behaviours mean 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."
Shift to Digital Content
The BBC added: "Fans are accessing discussion, highlights, analysis and news through digital platforms and on-demand viewing and as viewing habits continue to evolve, it is right that BBC Sport adapts how it brings football coverage to the widest audiences across television, radio, online and to its extensive social platforms."
The statement also noted: "BBC Sport boasts a strong football rights portfolio and is set to significantly expand its digital output this year growing content across BBC platforms, as well as a bold new slate of exclusive shows on YouTube. Featuring fresh formats, big personalities and more frequent, always-on content tailored for digital audiences, the expansion will bring fans closer to the game than ever before delivering more high-quality, accessible and engaging football coverage at scale. We will release further details on these plans in the coming months."
Replacement Show and Host
Football Focus' usual Saturday 12.45pm slot has been replaced by The Football Interview, which airs its first episode of series two this weekend. The show will be hosted by presenter Kelly Somers, who has previously interviewed Bukayo Saka, Michael Carrick and Emma Hayes on the programme.
Former Arsenal and Lioness icon Alex Scott was the last-ever host of Football Focus and remains an integral part of the BBC's plans, having fronted coverage of the World Cup 2026 earlier this summer. Part of the BBC's statement read: "She [Alex] will also once again serve as one of this year's hosts of the BBC Sport Personality of the Year Awards, with more new and exciting projects with Alex due to be announced in the coming months."
