BBC explains shock decision to cancel Football Focus

• BBC is cancelling its long-running football magazine show, Football Focus, at the end of the current season after more than 52 years on air.
• The decision was made due to "changing audience behaviours" and the need for "difficult decisions around how the licence fee is spent”, reflecting a shift in how audiences consume football content.
• First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus previewed the weekend's action on Saturday lunchtimes and has been presented by Alex Scott since 2021.
• Alex Scott will remain with the BBC, fronting coverage for the men’s World Cup this summer, the Women’s World Cup in 2027, and regularly covering the Women’s Super League and BBC Sport Personality of the Year.
• A new show, The Football Interview, will take the vacated 12:45pm Saturday lunchtime slot, while the live scores programme, Final Score, will continue.

IN FULL

Football Focus axed by BBC after 52 years