Since Gary Lineker’s departure from the BBC, “Match of the Day” has experienced a significant drop in viewership. Ratings have fallen by over 10% this season compared to last year, with average numbers decreasing from 2.68 million to 2.39 million. This decline highlights a shift in audience habits, as many viewers have turned to online highlights provided by the broadcaster.
Impact of Changes on “Match of the Day” Ratings
Lineker’s exit marked a turning point for the show. In his final year as host, “Match of the Day” attracted up to three million viewers on Saturday nights. However, this season, there were instances where viewership dipped below two million.
After sharing a controversial post on social media, Lineker left the BBC in May. His annual salary of £1.35 million made him the highest-paid presenter at the network. Despite previous controversies, he was not dismissed until this incident.
New Host and Format Adjustments
Upon Lineker’s departure, the show introduced a rotating lineup of presenters. Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates have stepped in, with Wayne Rooney joining as a pundit. These changes come amid broader adjustments to the show’s airing format.
- New presenters: Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates
- New pundit: Wayne Rooney
Shifting Audience Dynamics
This season, the BBC also began posting Premier League highlights online more than two hours ahead of “Match of the Day.” This strategy could be affecting traditional viewership. Reports indicate that these online clips are averaging 1.7 million weekly views, potentially drawing audiences away from the live show.
The decline in ratings for “Match of the Day” was evident even before Lineker’s exit. From August to October, the show saw more than an 8% decrease from the 2.92 million viewers it averaged during the same period in 2022.
As the BBC navigates through these changes, the future of “Match of the Day” and its audience engagement remains uncertain. The combination of presenter changes and new content delivery methods has created a challenging environment for this long-standing football program.
