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BBC chairman hints major broadcast change to Match of the Day when Lineker exits

talksport.com, 10 March 2025, 16:47
BBC chairman Samir Shah has flagged a controversial change to its flagship show Match of the Day.

In an interview with The Times, Shah, who was appointed as BBC chairman in March last year, proposed the idea of cutting down on the amount of highlights being shown on the program.

Shah believes many viewers will have already seen all the Premier League goals and highlights online, well before Match of the Day begins on Saturday and Sunday.

It's why Shah is adamant Match of the Day 'should not be built around highlights'.

"It should be built around analysis and examination of the match to give viewers a deeper insight," Shah said.

The BBC has an agreement to display highlights of all top-flight matches until the end of the 2028/29 season.

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Shah's idea of more punditry instead of highlights has not gone down well with fans.

In a poll on the BBC site, only eight per cent claim they want more analysis and less action.

Instead, 46 per cent would like more action and less analysis while the other 46 per cent prefer to keep the show's format as it is.

One individual who won't be around for any changes to the show's format, if they do eventuate, is current Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.

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Lineker will step down from his role at the end of the season, bringing an end to his 25-year stint as host.

However, Lineker will remain as part of the BBC's football coverage and will present the FA Cup next season as well as the 2026 World Cup.

The BBC opted to replace Lineker as Match of the Day host with Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman sharing the role.

The trio will split hosting duties across Match of the Day, MOTD: Champions League and Match of the Day 2.

The daughter of Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish, Cates has previously worked for the BBC as a presenter on Radio 5 Live.

"We are all friends and we've known each other for a long time and that's a really lovely part of it," Cates said, who will also continue to work for Sky Sports.

"Not only is it a great role just on its own but I'm sharing it with two people I really admire, respect and genuinely like. It's a great set-up."

Regular pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will continue working on the show.

BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski said: "I know viewers will love these three incredible broadcasters and journalists at the heart of our football coverage next season.

"They're brilliant at what they do and MOTD viewers can be sure they will be well looked after as the big football talking points are expertly analysed.

"Gary has done a phenomenal job at Match of the Day for the last 25 years, he'll be missed greatly and we all still get to enjoy him on our screens across some of football's greatest tournaments."

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