Alex Scott breaks silence as BBC axe iconic soccer present after 50 years
Alex Scott has broken her silence with a post on Instagram after BBC announced it was axing Football Focus after over 50 years on TV screens
(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Alex Scott has broken her silence after BBC decided to axe iconic show Football Focus on Thursday.
The BBC announced the decision in a statement on social media – and Scott has now addressed the decision with a post of her own. She said: “After 52 years on air, Football Focus is coming to an end. To have been part of it has been incredibly special, and I’m so grateful and proud of the eight years I’ve been involved, including the five years I’ve had the honour of presenting it.
“It has been such an important part of my life, working with some of the very best people in the business, both on screen and behind the scenes.
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“I’ve loved so much of it, the conversations, the laughter, and sharing so many big moments with you, the audience. Thank you for being part of it.
“I always knew this would be my last season on the show, which the BBC were aware of too. My intention was to move quietly into the next chapter, but sometimes things change.
“When this show began all those years ago, social media wasn’t a driving force, podcasts didn’t exist, and there was no instant access to information in the way there is today.
“Now, by the time we go on air, the reality is you’ve already seen it, debated it, and lived it across so many platforms. That shift has changed the whole industry. TV audiences have been declining for years, while digital and on-demand viewing continues to grow.”
BBC’s statement read: “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 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.
“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.
“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.
“Football Focus is currently fronted by the brilliant Alex Scott, who will remain at the heart of BBC Sport’s football coverage and biggest sporting moments.
“Alex will play a key role across this year’s FIFA World Cup, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and BBC Sport’s ongoing coverage of the Women’s Super League.
“She 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,” reports the Mirror.
