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Match of the Day

Cates, Chapman, Logan named Match of the Day presenters

The BBC’s flagship football show, Match of the Day, will be presented by the trio of Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan from next season. Hosting duties for Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2, and the latest addition to the BBC’s football highlights portfolio, Match of the Day Champions League, […]

January 15, 2025

Lineker leaving Match of the Day

Gary Lineker will step down from presenting BBC’s flagship football, Match of the Day, after 25 years in the role. Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the current season (in May 2025), but he will still front BBC Sport’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup, as well as the BBC’s […]

November 12, 2024By Nik Roseveare

Research: BBC programme-making should be riskier

The BBC should take more risks when producing new programmes if it is to reconnect with viewers and listeners on lower incomes, according to new audience research from UK broadcast regulator Ofcom. In recent years, Ofcom’s research has shown that people in lower socio-economic groups – who account for almost a quarter of the UK […]

November 30, 2023By Colin Mann

BBC’s Slater retiring

In the week of her 40th anniversary working at the BBC, the first female Director of BBC Sport, Barbara Slater, has announced that she will be retiring from the BBC in spring 2024. Slater has transformed BBC Sport during her 14 years in the role. She has changed attitudes and increased the profile and interest […]

September 6, 2023

Troy Deeney, Jermain Defoe co-host new BBC podcast

To mark the start of the 2023-24 Premier League season, Defoe and Deeney Football Firsts launches on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live, alongside the return of the popular Footballer’s Football Podcast series 4. With 209 Premier League goals between them, Defoe and Deeney Football Firsts brings together former Tottenham, West Ham and England […]

August 15, 2023

BBC iPlayer improves availability, latency

The BBC has announced ‘under the hood’ updates to its iPlayer service. There are two key improvements: Rapid availability – The BBC has introduced a bit technology they’re calling pseudo VoD – which ensures programmes are now available to watch on demand on iPlayer much more quickly than they were before. Previously, if viewers missed […]

August 11, 2023

MPs to question grandees on BBC impartiality

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the UK House of Commons is to question Lord Birt, former BBC Director General, and Lord Patten, former BBC Trust Chair, on issues relating to BBC impartiality. The one-off session on March 28th follows recent issues culminating with the suspension and reinstatement of Gary Lineker on Match […]

March 27, 2023By Colin Mann

Resolution reached in BBC/Lineker dispute

Statements have been issued by Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC and Gary Lineker confirm that Lineker will return to sports presentation this coming weekend following the BBC announcing that he would “step back” from presenting Match of the Day until there was an “agreed and clear position on his use of social media”. There […]

March 13, 2023By Colin Mann

Increased listening for BBC Radio, BBC Sounds in Q4

More than 33 million people listened to BBC Radio stations live each week during the final quarter of 2022, according to new RAJARs. Radio 5 Live boosted its live audience to 5.57 milion with its news and sports content, including Formula 1 and 2022 FIFA World Cup. Radio 4 and its agenda-setting breakfast show, Today, […]

February 2, 2023

Survey: Most recognised TV theme tunes

A study by electronics retailer Currys has uncovered which TV theme tune is the most recognised, which one is most nostalgic and whether the UK has become a nation of intro skippers. The study surveyed 2,006 people in the UK to find out what TV theme tune springs to mind when first questioned. It turns […]

April 4, 2022