**Roman Kemp Lands Prominent Sky Sports Football Gig Amid Mixed Fan Reaction**
Roman Kemp, well-known for his presenting role on BBC’s The One Show and his outings in radio, is set to make the leap into football broadcasting, having been unveiled as the host of Sky Sports’ latest football programme. The move comes as part of Sky’s significant ramping up of its Premier League coverage for the upcoming 2025/26 season, promising more backgrounds and perspectives for viewers, but not everyone is thrilled about the appointment.
Sky Sports, already recognised for its extensive coverage of the English Premier League, is expanding its footprint by broadcasting a record minimum of 215 matches during the new campaign. As the broadcaster approaches 80% domination of all televised Premier League fixtures, it’s unveiling a refreshed schedule to deliver even more dedicated football content for fans.
Amongst the enhancements is the introduction of The Premier League Show, a weekday magazine-style programme set to air every evening at 5pm. Kemp has been tapped to anchor the Friday night slot, providing previews and build-up to the weekend’s biggest games. The network believes Kemp’s dynamic style and evident enthusiasm for the sport will inject a fresh energy into its football offering.
Sky’s official announcement praised Kemp’s passion for football and suggested that his involvement would lend “a new and different point of view” to their coverage. Broadcasting live from the studio each Friday, the presenter is tasked with both engaging hardcore fans and appealing to broader audiences, combining up-to-the-minute news, exclusive features, and expert analysis in a digestible format.
Commenting on his new role, Kemp expressed genuine excitement, saying: “Football means more to me than anything. To be a part of a show like this, building up to the biggest games in world football, is a real privilege. I can’t wait to get going and, as a fan, do this show justice.” His remarks were met with congratulations from supporters in the entertainment sector, but the football community’s response has been more divided.
Many fans took to social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to voice their concerns about Kemp’s appointment. Some questioned whether the choice of a celebrity host over a former footballer or tactical analyst would offer sufficient insight, with one social media user lamenting, “When can we go back to having real football experts on the shows to give proper insight, instead of celebrities?”
Others have raised concerns about a perceived “dumbing down” of Sky Sports’ football coverage. Criticism has focused on the idea that the show may prioritise entertainment over tactical depth, with a fan stating, “Most viewers want more shows like Monday Night Football, with in-depth tactical analysis and intelligent thinking, not shows where everyone pretends to laugh endlessly to fill time.”
Nonetheless, Sky is banking on Kemp’s wide-reaching appeal and energetic delivery to revitalise its Friday night viewing – a slot that often sets the tone for the weekend’s action. The first edition of Kemp’s run is scheduled for Friday, 15 August, leading into Liverpool’s anticipated opener against Bournemouth.
Industry observers suggest that the broadcaster’s decision reflects a broader trend in sports media to balance entertainment with analysis, aiming to capture both dedicated followers and casual viewers. Whether this will satisfy a diverse Premier League audience remains to be seen.
The critical social response highlights the passionate views held by football fans regarding the presentation and analysis of their sport. As broadcasters continually revise formats and look to reach wider demographics, choices like Kemp’s appointment spark ongoing debate about the best approach for engaging modern audiences while retaining credibility among longstanding fans.
As anticipation builds for the new programme and the curtain rises on the 2025/26 Premier League season, Kemp’s debut is sure to be closely watched – both for his presenting style and for how successfully the new format balances entertainment with the rigorous analysis that many football supporters still crave.