BBC axe ANOTHER sports show: Ski Sunday comes to an end just four months after Football Focus was cancelled

BBC have decided to cancel their Ski Sunday show after nearly 50 years on air.

The programme, which was first aired in 1978, had become a recognisable part of the winter sports calendar, detailing all the latest news across the likes of the Winter Olympics to viewers.

The decision comes just over four months since long-running football show Football Focus was also axed.

And, just like with Football Focus, the reason why was attributed to viewing habits. 

Philip Bernie, Head of BBC Sport Events, said following the decision: ‘Ski Sunday has been a truly iconic programme and a much-loved part of BBC Sport’s output for many years. Generations of viewers have enjoyed its coverage of the best in winter sports. 

‘We are enormously proud of the role it has played in bringing these moments to audiences across the UK, and extremely grateful to the brilliant people who have delivered them, not least the current outstanding team.

‘These decisions are never easy, but as audience viewing habits evolve and we work to deliver value for licence fee payers, we have to make tough choices. We remain committed to bringing audiences the very best of winter sport, above all at the Winter Olympics, across BBC Sport’s platforms.’

BBC Sport chief Alex Kay-Jelski, meanwhile, said upon the cancellation of Football Focus that the decision reflected ‘the continued shift in how audiences engage with football and our commitment to evolving how we deliver content to reach fans wherever they are.’

Just like the football show, Ski Sunday formed part of weekend show Sunday Grandstand.

It was presented by David Vine for a number of years, with ex-skier Graham Bell taking the reins alongside former snowboarder Ed Leigh.

Chemmy Alcott, who participated in four Winter Olympics, meanwhile, joined the show alongside Leigh five years ago. 

More to follow.