Match of the Day’s overall audience has increased significantly this season, buoyed by the BBC’s new digital strategy, despite a 10% drop in traditional linear viewing. The Saturday and Sunday evening highlights programmes on BBC One and BBC Two averaged 6.88 million weekly viewers last month, down 770,000 from December 2024, but the show has gained 1.52 million viewers by making highlight clips available on iPlayer and the BBC website from 8pm on Saturdays.
Combined viewing figures for Match of the Day on iPlayer, covering both the evening programmes and clips, reached 61.9 million by the end of December, a substantial rise from 45.4 million over the same period last season. Digital consumption has nearly doubled since the 2022-23 season, when the total stood at 33.1 million by December.
The BBC introduced the 8pm digital highlights at the start of a new four-year Premier League deal in August, describing it as a “gamechanging way to stay immersed in the action”. The corporation’s sports team has increasingly invested in clip rights, signing highlights deals with La Liga and the Bundesliga this season.
The 10% fall in linear viewing follows Gary Lineker’s departure as Saturday presenter last summer after 26 years. The BBC opted not to appoint a direct replacement, instead sharing duties among Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates. The BBC declined to comment, but sources said the linear decline is consistent with broader trends in live television.
