Originally Posted by NeilVW:
“I think it was arrogance on ITV's part, trying to make their mark, and fix something (poached from a rival) that wasn't broken. Same with Parkinson: he kvetched (after jumping ship) that his show was being pushed too late on BBC One, and when his ratings disappointed in core peak on ITV1, they put him in late night again! Incidentally, he had been due to be pushed later on BBC One after they won back the Premiership highlights.
As for MOTD's start time, it was probably easier for ITV1 to give the highlights a fixed slot at 22:30 (after three months of poor ratings at 19:00), as there was nothing of consequence that couldn't be booted out of the way for it. It might be different these days with X Factor finishing quite late sometimes (in recent times anyway). Timings will vary at the weekend, and I think viewers accept this. People know MOTD will start at some point in the 22:00 hour, after the news, and generally this is fine.”
It was arrogant on their part, but the football coverage needed shaking up, something the BBC weren't prepared to do (at the time). Tactics truck, the less said the better, but Pro Zone was innovative and having a representative of each club quarrel with one other on a Monday, on top of a quality journalist giving views -- what's there not to like?
MOTD is stale. The age of internet streams means if people want to see a match, they can instantly. So you have a sizeable audience watching the programme for its punditry -- can they spot something the average viewer hasn't? Of course, Sky's Goals on Sunday and MNF have an advantage because they are able to analyse and sleep on things, but surely MOTD2 can do the same? The Saturday action section is far too basic.
Originally Posted by Hassaan13:
“If it was to go out at 7pm, it would clash with Strictly though, wouldn't it?”
Of course. But so did Surprise, Surprise and it is pencilled in for the autumn again.
Originally Posted by Glenn A:
“However, tradition always wins out and viewers wanted MOTD back. Maybe, though, MOTD 2 was inspired by POM and a later development, The Championship, will have inspired Late Kick Off and TFLS, as lower league fans were complaining they were being ignored.”
But the Beeb have rested on its laurels for far too long. Hansen once upon a time provided thoughtful analysis on a consistent basis, now he has become a caricature of his former self, what with 'pace, grit, determination', et al. Shearer basically tries to paraphrase whatever Hansen says. Lawro is no better, but he was different than both of them so I am kinda sad that they have reduced his appearances.
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