Football Focus to end after 52 years

Football Focus is to end after 52 years, BBC Sport has announced. Launched in 1974, the Saturday lunchtime television programme provided fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game before the weekend's fixtures. Changing audience habits have meant a growth in the use of digital platforms and on-demand to get the same pre-match content.

As a result, linear television viewing figures have gradually declined since 2018. Football Focus will run until the end of the season. Alex Kay-Jelski - director of BBC Sport - said: "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.

"This decision was made before last week's wider BBC savings announcement, reflecting the continued shift in how audiences engage with football and our commitment to evolving how we deliver content to reach fans wherever they are. " From next season, Kelly Somers' The Football Interview will move to Saturday at 12:45 BST on BBC One. Final Score with Jason Mohammad will start on BBC One earlier than it has this season - at 15:45 BST.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike and Manchester United boss Michael Carrick are among the players and coaches to have featured on The Football Interview this season. BBC Sport says it will expand its digital output across BBC platforms, including exclusive shows on YouTube. The intention is to deliver more high-quality, accessible and engaging football coverage at scale.