BBC Sport will bring football fans comprehensive coverage of the 2013-14 season across a variety of platforms.
With the new season kicking off this weekend (August 3-4) and 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil already beginning to loom large on the horizon, the corporation starts the build-up with comprehensive coverage of the 2013-14 season.
This year the BBC will be giving fans of the game greater access to commentary, goals, news, highlights, interviews, analysis, debate and discussion than ever before, with more ways to watch and keep on top of developments than anywhere else.
Every goal from every game in England and Wales will be available every Saturday night.
All of the BBC’s platforms – TV, radio, digital, online and social – will all combine to give audiences access to uninterrupted coverage of every aspect of the game no matter where they are, with all the action and news delivered by the most respected names in football broadcasting.
Barbara Slater, Director BBC Sport, says: “This season the BBC’s commitment to football coverage is greater than ever.
“We’ll be bringing all the excitement of the new season to our audiences with the return of our iconic football shows, led by Match Of The Day, which reach combined audiences of around 10 m across the weekend.
“Our digital offering continues to grow enabling fans uninterrupted access to all the key action and events as they unfold, wherever they are, with access to news, scores, TV shows and live radio commentaries on the go.
“This coupled with highest values of sports journalism and standards of coverage continue to make the BBC the most trusted home of football amongst fans.”
Jonathan Wall, Controller of BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra, says: “It’s going to be another great season of football coverage from Radio 5 live, and I’m delighted to welcome Ian Wright, Kelly Cates and Dan Walker to regular slots on the network.
“Kelly’s knowledge of the game coupled with Ian’s experience as a player will make the new Sunday 606 a really engaging and entertaining listen.
“Dan’s journalistic credentials and his big guests will ensure that Friday nights become the flagship start to the sporting weekend.
“These shows, alongside our live commentary of 128 Premier League games, with new regular pundits Chris Waddle and John Hartson, mean our listeners will be able to get right to the heart of the footballing action and debate this season.”
| MATCH OF THE DAY |
Match of the Day makes a return to BBC One on August 17 at 10.30pm.
For the first time ever, the BBC’s flagship football programme of the week will be available to watch via the BBC iPlayer.
Regularly attracting audiences of more than 4 million, this season Gary Lineker returns as master of ceremonies with regular faces Alan Shearer and Alan Hansen.
They will be joined by Les Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Mark Lawrenson, Michael Owen, Gus Poyet, Robbie Savage, Peter Schmeichel and Gianluca Vialli.
Ahead of celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, the new series gets underway featuring Manchester United in action away at Swansea as David Moyes leads Manchester United in the Premier League for the first time.
The show will also see Roberto Martinez and Mark Hughes make their managerial debuts and capture all the intrigue and excitement of the first day of the Barclays Premier League season.
New for the 2013-14 season from midnight on Monday night, the latest episode of Match of the Day will be available to view and download on the BBC iPlayer, meaning users will have even more access the nation’s favourite football show.
There’ll also be a new look to the programme with Opta analysis tools, refreshed graphics, enhanced statistics, new social media features and the opportunity to get a referees view on any contentious issues.
The BBC’s commentary team of instantly recognisable voices return to guide viewers through the twists and turns of every match, with Guy Mowbray, Steve Wilson, Jonathan Pearce, Simon Brotherton, John Motson and Steve Bower covering the lion’s share of games between them.
For highlights of every pass, tackle, shot, save and goal that matters, Match of the Day remains in a league of its own.
| MATCH OF THE DAY 2 |
MOTD2 will be on hand to ease audiences back into the working week with its trademark light-hearted look at Sunday’s fixtures, as well as a review of all the weekend’s action.
Now settled into its new home of Sunday nights BBC One for a second season, the new series returns on August 18 at 10.25pm.
Taking over stewardship of the show this season will be Mark Chapman, who replaces Colin Murray.
He will be joined by a range of favourite faces throughout the year, including Dion Dublin, Alan Hansen, John Hartson, Martin Keown, Kevin Kilbane, Mark Lawrenson, Danny Mills, Danny Murphy, Michael Owen and Alan Shearer.
From midnight on Tuesday night, MOTD2 will be available to view and download on the BBC iPlayer.
Back by popular demand, fan’s favourite 2-Good-2-Bad, returns offering a humorous look at the goings on of the football weekend in the Premier League and there’ll be a new look MOTD3, the online analysis show, with Mark and guests available first thing every Monday morning.
In the second week of the season, MOTD2 moves to the Monday night especially to bring highlights of the huge match between Manchester United and Chelsea.
David Moyes’ first game at Old Trafford sees the visit of Jose Mourinho’s side in a Bank Holiday showdown.
There’s also extended highlights of Sunday’s games between Cardiff and Manchester City and Swansea’s visit to Spurs, along with a catch up on all Saturday’s goals.
New host Mark Chapman said: “We’ll be analysing and talking about all the matches, the stats and the key figures in the game and whatever happens on the pitch, in the dressing room or even the stands we’ll cover it on MOTD2.
“We’re starting off with Jose Mourinho’s return to the Premier League as Chelsea take on Hull and we welcome back the irrepressible Ian Holloway to the top flight with Crystal Palace.
“I have my fingers crossed Alan Hansen won’t describe my own performance as ‘shocking’.”
| MATCH OF THE DAY 2 EXTRA |
In an innovative cross-platform first, the BBC unveils a new programme to its football schedules for 2013-14 – Match of the Day 2 Extra.
Presented by Mark Chapman, MOTD2 Extra is a live news and chat show simulcast across BBC One, BBC Radio 5 live and streamed live via the BBC Sport website.
Airing at 12.20pm every Sunday lunchtime, the 40 minute-long programme will feature a mix of guests including MOTD2 and Radio 5 live contributors, BBC commentators and national newspaper journalists, each with their own distinctive take on the most important stories of the day.
Starting in September, each week the MOTD2 Extra team will debate the talking points from Saturday’s matches, mull over Sunday’s fixtures and discuss the key issues dominating the headlines.
Manager and player interviews will also feature, along with preview material and live links to the Premier League grounds hosting the big Sunday afternoon fixtures.
Fans will also be able to play their part in the programme with interactive features and opinion cast via Twitter and other social media.
| FOOTBALL FOCUS |
Dan Walker will once again be bringing his award-winning brand of sports broadcast journalism and popular presenting skills to the 40th season of Football Focus.
Carving out a reputation for big name interviews – including last season’s rare in-depth one-on-one with Sir Alex Ferguson and other big names such as Rafa Benitez, David Moyes, Andre Villas Boas, Brendan Rogers and Paolo Do Canio – Football Focus continues to build on its reputation as the number one destination for leading news and unrivalled access.
Setting the agenda for the weekend ahead, Football Focus returns on Saturday, August 17, at the brand new time of 12.00pm on BBC One and BBC One HD with a special report on Jose Mourinho, a behind the scenes look at Crystal Palace and an exclusive interview with Mark Hughes, who opens the season with a trip to Anfield.
Following on from his new Friday night show on BBC Radio 5 live, Dan will be getting to the heart of the stories that matter, giving viewers the chance to hear from some of the games favourite faces and most successful stars.
Over the last few seasons, Football Focus has been access all areas at all 20 Premier League clubs and this year the show will continue its popular on-the-road presentation with trips to Hull, Crystal Palace and Cardiff.
Celebrities will continue to offer their Premier League Predictions and thoughts on the coming season; the likes of Piers Morgan, Russell Brand, Robbie Williams, Andy Murray and Mo Farah have taken on Mark Lawrenson in the past.
To celebrate four-decades on BBC One, the popular magazine show will also be delving into the archive for a weekly 40 Years in Focus feature.
Packed into 45 minutes of dedicated discussion, the show will be available to stream live via the BBC Sport website for UK users, continuing to be a source of invaluable news and insight straight from some of the game’s most experienced players, managers and commentators.
| FINAL SCORE |
Final Score returns to BBC One and BBC One HD on August 3 at 4.25pm, with the full extended version including Premier League results returning on the Saturday, August 17.
With scrolling news, live on-screen score updates, pitch-side reports and special studio guests, everything that happens in football on a Saturday afternoon, happens here.
For the first time this season Final Score will be live at all the Premier League grounds and hear from managers and players before the games kick off, savouring all the pre-match build-up.
With a fresh look and feel this season, the show also welcomes a new presenter in the shape of Jason Mohammad.
An experienced sports broadcaster, Mohammad is a familiar face on BBC One after presentation roles on the Six Nations, London Olympics, Confederations Cup and World Snooker Championships.
Mohammad will be bringing his knowledge and passion for football to the Final Score, keeping fans up-to-date with all the key on-field events as they unfold.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be the new presenter of Final Score, it’s going to be really exciting to be bringing football fans the sheer drama of a Saturday afternoon.
“We’ll be offering fans the most up to date and immediate results, updates and news from all the day’s football.
“I grew up watching the show and I’ve been a reporter for many years, so cannot wait to get started in what’s set to be a thrilling season.”
In addition to its network slot, Final Score is available on the red button between 2.30pm and 6.00pm every Saturday, as well as through live streaming on the BBC Sport website, the BBC Sport app and Connected TV’s.
| THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE SHOW |
Outside the Premier League a vast array of talent will be showcasing their skill and determination as they compete in some of the toughest and most entertaining leagues in the world.
Promotion, play-off and relegation campaigns will get underway from day one of the season, with the Football League Show returning on Saturday, August 3 at 11.45pm.
Manish Bhasin is back to deliver Saturday’s match highlights across The Championship, League One and League Two in the regular company of Leroy Rosenior and Steve Claridge.
Queens Park Rangers, Reading and Wigan Athletic will be looking to quickly adjust to life outside the top tier in a bid to bounce-back within a single season.
Standing in their way will be a familiar mix of talented and determined squads including Gianfranco Zola’s play-off runners-up Watford, a new look Nottingham Forest, while newcomers Doncaster, Bournemouth and Yeovil, fresh up from League One are looking to build on their recent promotion.
Lower down the leagues, Wolves will be looking to arrest their alarming free-fall from the topflight, as they dust themselves off and prepare for life in League One.
Having fought their way out of the Conference, League Two newcomers Mansfield Town and Newport County will be making their debuts on The Football League Show.
Mark Clemmit will be access all areas across the Football League with regular Saturday night reflections from the key game of the day and in-depth previews on Football Focus.
Getting underway straight after Match of the Day every Premier League Saturday night, viewers in the UK will also be able to follow a live simulcast of the show on the BBC Sport website, as well as catching up on the BBC iPlayer, for an unparalleled parade of league football highlights.
| WOMEN’S FOOTBALL |
The BBC will be bringing comprehensive coverage of Women’s football through the 2013-14 season on TV and radio, with match action, on-demand highlights, news, interviews and reviews available on the BBC Sport website.
The 2015 Women’s World Cup qualifying matches get under way from September 2013 and are due to conclude a year later in September 2014. England’s matches will be shown live on BBC Two and BBC Two HD, starting with England v Belarus on Saturday 21 September.
Also in England’s group are Ukraine, Turkey and Montenegro, as well as England v Wales on Saturday 26 October, which is sure to be an electric encounter. BBC Radio 5 live will bring all the news of the qualifiers, as will the BBC Sport website.
England matches will also be streamed on the BBC Sport website, on desktop, mobiles, tablets and BBC Sport app.
Jacqui Oatley presents four further editions of The Women’s Football Show on BBC Two and BBC Two HD.
She is joined in the studio by Sue Smith and Faye White both of whom have played over 90 times for the national side.
The programmes feature match highlights, goal round-ups and special features capturing all the key action from the very best of women’s football in England. The Women’s Football Show is also available on the BBC iPlayer for a week afterwards.
The shows are broadcast on Monday 5 August (00.20-00.50), Monday 19 August (23.20-23.50), Monday 2 September (23.20-23.50) and Monday 16 September (23.20-23.50).
In addition BBC Radio 5 live sports extra will also be offering live commentary from selected mid-week Women’s Super League matches with expert summarisers Sue Smith and Lucy Ward.
The BBC Sport website features video match highlights and goals round-ups presented by Emily Croydon, which also forms part of Friday’s Sportsday on the BBC News Channel.
There are also match reports, news and features and a regular column by England captain Casey Stoney.
Over the last year the BBC has greatly increased its coverage of Women’s football, recently bringing the Women’s Euros to audiences across TV on BBC Two and BBC Three, Radio 5 live and online, with a total audience reach of 9.9m.
| FOOTBALL ON BBC RADIO 5 LIVE |
BBC Radio 5 live’s football coverage will be second to none this coming season with rights to air more games than any other broadcaster.
This includes live commentary rights to 128 Premier League matches, with Saturday lunchtime kick-offs, first choice at Saturday 3pm, Sunday 4pm kick-offs, plus Monday and Tuesday night matches.
The home of live football commentary on the radio will also feature the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League, hom nations’ internationals and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Kicking off the weekend of football on the BBC, Dan Walker will be the new host of 5 live’s Friday night flagship weekend preview show (7.00pm-10.00pm), in addition to his role as host of BBC One’s Football Focus.
The new Friday night show will be the go-to place for audiences to start their football and sporting weekend, with a strong journalistic focus featuring the biggest talking points, guests and debate.
Dan says: “I can’t wait to get stuck into this show on 5 Live.
“It’s exciting to host such an important slot which will explore some the big stories, the characters behind them and – with the help of some top guests – provide the perfect warm-up for the sporting weekend”.
Live football commentary in 5 live Sport on Saturdays and Sundays kicks off on Saturday 3 August from the Championship with Burnley v Bolton.
Mark Pougatch and Mark Chapman will be the main presenters of 5 live Sport on Saturdays (12.00pm-6.00pm), with Ian Payne presenting on Sundays (11.00am-6.00pm).
The country’s leading voices of football – Alan Green, Mike Ingham, John Murray and Ian Dennis once again lead the station’s live commentary.
This year they will be joined by Chris Waddle and John Hartson as well as Steve Claridge, Martin Keown, Kevin Kilbane, Mark Lawrenson, Danny Mills, Pat Nevin, Robbie Savage and Graham Taylor, making a comprehensive team of some of the best insight and analysis on all aspects of the game.
The iconic ‘Sports Report’ returns from Saturday 3 August as the key Saturday appointment (5.00pm-6.00pm) for football fans with for all reports, results, and reaction to the day’s big sporting stories.
Mark Chapman continues at the helm of Monday Night Club (5 live Sport 7.00pm-10.30pm), setting the standard for football debate.
Featuring guests including John Motson, Steve Claridge, Chris Waddle and John Hartson.
When not providing live commentary on Monday night matches, the team will be tackling all the pressing news and issues thrown up from the weekend’s action and looking ahead to the next set of fixtures.
Mark Pougatch and Mark Chapman will continue to lead coverage during the week presenting 5 live Sport on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (7.00pm-10.30pm), with Eleanor Oldroyd presenting on Thursday nights (7.00pm-10.00pm), complimenting the station’s live football commentary with all the news, discussion points and interviews throughout the week.
| 606 |
The nation’s best loved football phone-in 606 returns for the start of the football season
Two new hosts join at the start of the Premier League season – Ian Wright and Kelly Cates have been announced as the new hosts on an extended Sunday programme from 6.00pm to 7.30pm.
The two will take together to the airwaves from Sunday 18 August to canvas opinion from fans the length and breadth of the UK.
Darren Fletcher and Robbie Savage will once again present 606 on Saturday nights.
Former England and Arsenal player and outspoken pundit Ian Wright is delighted to join 5 live, he says “It’s great to be back on the BBC. 606 is all about opinions and debate and I cannot wait to share that with the listeners.
“I’m looking forward to refereeing the best football discussion there is with Kelly and the fans, hearing from people all over the country and analysing the weekend’s action with listeners.
“I cannot wait to stir up opinion and take those calls.”
With over 10 years experience of Premier League, Champions League and a few World Cups under her belt Kelly is looking forward to getting into the studio:“It’s really exciting to be hosting 606 with Ian this season.
“It’s a great opportunity to hear what real fans have to say about their teams and the game, and really enjoy some passionate debate after all the weekend’s action.”
606 is the nation’s biggest football phone in and has been a fans favourite for many years.
The show follows hot on the heels of the day’s live football action, giving fans the opportunity to voice their opinions, vent their frustrations and describe how they would do it differently.
| ONLINE / DIGITAL COVERAGE |
For everything the football fan needs, BBC Sport website continues to be the place to go for the latest news, scores, interviews and analysis.
The website and its mobile version along with the BBC Sport app enable audiences to follow the whole season where they want and when they want across four screens – PCs, tablets, mobile and Connected TVs.
Adding even more value to the user experience, extra content online will include press conference video highlights, live text commentary of every Premier League and other high-interest games, live scores and stats, match reports and post-match quotes.
Regular reaction and interviews with key BBC pundits includes Pat Nevin’s Football Insight which will offer online graphical analysis of the latest tactics in the game, Lawro’s predictions and Garth Crooks’ team of the week.
Mark Chapman and Jason Mohammad will also feature regularly, with Robbie Savage’s ‘Savage Says’ being a regular feature looking at team tactics answering audience questions gathered on social media
On the Red Button and across our digital platforms, Midweek Final Score will keep fans up to date with all the latest scores via our graphics service.
Online, MOTD3 offers post-weekend analysis, views and opinions from the MOTD2 team. The website will also live stream Football Focus, Final Score, 606 and new for 2013-14 MOTD2 Extra which airs at 12.20pm every Sunday from September.
Making the most of new innovations and TV technology, this season’s digital football coverage with the BBC will be the most all-encompassing ever.
As well as the streaming of a number of the BBC programmes, additions to the platform include the arrival of Match of the Day on iPlayer and the new MOTD2 Extra simulcast, making digital coverage of the 2013-14 football season the most wide-reaching yet.
New for the 2013-14 season the website will also feature European clubs giving fans access to the latest news, team updates and match results from clubs on the continent.
This is in addition to current content across all four domestic divisions with dedicated pages to each club serving as a central resource for fans looking to stay abreast of the latest developments with their club featuring breaking stories, transfer bulletins, team developments, injury updates and comments from clubs, managers and players.
The BBC Sport website also provides comprehensive coverage of Scottish football and women’s football throughout the year.
The BBC Sport app this season will see fans being able to add their clubs to the Quick Links menu meaning they can access the latest news from their team even faster.
