Since Gary Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day, the BBC is feeling the pinch with a notable drop in viewership. Lineker, who had been a staple of the iconic Premier League highlights show since 1999, waved goodbye at the end of last season, passing the baton to the new hosting lineup of Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan, and Mark Chapman. But, despite this fresh team and the addition of Wayne Rooney as a pundit, viewer numbers haven’t bounced back.
Viewership figures have reportedly dipped from a consistent three million last year to scores that sometimes barely crossed two million this season. This represents a plummet of over 10% compared to the same period in the previous year. More fans appear to be opting for the BBC’s new online highlights, which are available well ahead of the traditional TV broadcast, leading to these lacklustre ratings.
Lineker’s exit came sooner than expected after a social media mishap, despite plans to host upcoming major tournaments like the FA Cup and the FIFA World Cup for the BBC. The transition hasn’t been easy, with some saying the programme lost ‘hundreds of thousands’ of regulars since he left.
Lineker hinted earlier in interviews that the broadcaster seemed keen to introduce new faces to the programme. He reportedly contemplated staying for another year but sensed that the BBC preferred to implement changes in line with the new broadcasting rights period.
With Match of the Day attempting to find its footing post-Lineker, the question remains whether this new era of presenters can entice viewers back to the couch on Saturday nights. Fingers crossed for Cates, Logan, and Chapman as they carry the torch forward!