Exclusive: BBC axes Match of the Day for Gen-Z

MOTDx, the Jermaine Jenas-fronted Match of the Day spin-off, has been quietly axed, raising further questions about the wisdom of the BBC’s “lurch to youth”.

The corporation has confirmed the show, which sought to capture the coveted 16-34 market by mixing football, music and culture, has been cancelled after four years.

News of its demise emerged less than a month after a row broke out over the future of Football Focus, which has haemorrhaged viewers since Alex Scott replaced Dan Walker as its presenter.

It also came weeks after Jenas, who has fronted a campaign to protect football match officials, was forced to apologise for calling a referee a “complete s---house” on X following his former club Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League draw at Arsenal.

Stressing the decision to axe MOTDx had been made before the start of the season, a BBC spokesperson said: “We have made some changes to our football output this season which means we will be producing even more digital content for audiences across BBC Sport platforms.

“Whilst we are proud of MOTDx and would like to thank everyone involved, it will no longer continue.”

The BBC Three programme provided a platform for Jenas, who now co-hosts the primetime The One Show, to hone his presenting skills, sparking talk he was being groomed to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day itself.

Football Focus row

Scott has also been linked with the Match of the Day role but her bid arguably took a hit last month when it emerged Football Focus had suffered a dramatic fall in viewing figures since she replaced Walker.

The news triggered a public spat between the pair after Walker, who defected to Channel 5 last year, posted on X: “It’s hard to see Football Focus struggling. I loved it growing up and it was an honour to present it and I still miss it.

“We poured everything into that show every week and worked hard to keep it relevant. I hope it stays part of the TV landscape.”

Scott replied “interesting” in what readers online viewed as a dig at her predecessor, before Walker said the show faced challenges in a competitive market.

“I’m not saying you haven’t [worked hard] Alex,” Walker said. “It’s a saturated market and it’s hard work every week. I hope you have a good show today.”

Mark Lawrenson, who was let go last year after appearing on the programme for 25 years, said Football Focus has “served its time” but the BBC insisted the show remained popular among viewers.

The corporation’s ongoing search for a youthful audience recently suffered a blow when polling revealed it had been deemed uncool by young people.

That was two years after it announced plans to reinstate its youth-skewing BBC Three television channel with a £72 million budget in an attempt to attract viewers under 34.

In 2020, Ofcom found the over-55s were displeased with the broadcaster’s new direction.

Last year, Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, announced that the “lurch to youth” would be abandoned.