BBC
BBC admits it has binned sports quiz show Sports questions The show ran for 53 years, making it one of the longest-running television programs in the world.
A BBC spokesperson stressed that production had only been halted for now and that it was “not the final whistle” and that the program could return in the future, but due to declining ratings and budget cuts. Apparently, it was finally canceled due to the influence of… The show was no longer the primetime ratings juggernaut it used to be.
The show was first broadcast in 1970 and was hosted by sports presenter David Vine, with a simple format in which two teams of sports stars competed to answer a series of sports questions. Later hosts included presenter David Coleman, former tennis player Sue Barker and comedian Paddy McGuinness.
At its peak in the 1980s, the show drew huge audiences. A 1987 episode in which equestrian Princess Anne appeared as a guest brought her 19 million viewers.
When Barker stepped down in 2021 after 24 years as host, many thought it was the beginning of the end. Not only was the new host McGuinness not an athlete, but the guests were also chosen from celebrities rather than athletes.
Commenting on the decision to cancel the program, the BBC said: “Due to inflation and funding issues, difficult decisions have to be made. sports questions Not in production at this time. ”
The BBC reports that the decision to cancel production is related to declining viewership and declining viewership on iPlayer, which last year saw fewer than 1 million viewers.
Former national rugby team captain Bill Beaumont, who served as team captain on the show for 14 years, said of the news: I think it’s a shame that it’s over, and it’s sad that an era is coming to an end.
“It’s amazing how many people approach me when I’m passing through things like train stations.” [say]”I used to watch it with my dad.”