Silent MOTD was ‘like first covid lockdown’ but some viewers preferred it
MOTD #MOTD
BBC One’s Match of the Day on Saturday was replaced with a ‘Premier League Highlights’ package with no pundits or commentary — and some viewers say they preferred the format.
A brief voiceover saw the BBC apologise for being unable to bring the normal Match of the Day due to the ongoing row about Gary Lineker’s social media use. The announcer said: “Now on BBC One we’re sorry that we’re unable to show our normal Match of of the Day including commentary tonight, but here now is the best action from today’s Premier League Matches.”
A short show branded ‘Premier League Highlights’, rather than Match of the Day, then began, minus the distinctive MOTD theme tune — and commentary and punditry.
The ‘new format’ divided viewers. Morten Morland tweeted: “This MOTD feels a bit like the first Covid lockdown.”
Cait Williams said: “No theme tune and no commentary. What is the point.”
Des Henderson described the format as a ‘barely believable embarrassment’. They tweeted: “BBC should have taken the decision not to broadcast. This is a barely believable embarrassment. Like their coverage, I’m totally speechless”
@rol1876 described it as being ‘like eating spaghetti bolognaise with spiral pasta.’ They tweeted: “Watching #MOTD without commentary is like eating spaghetti bolognaise with spiral pasta. It’s the same – just not as good and wrong somehow.”
However, Chella Bella thought it was “quite good”. They said: “Apart from no commentary #MOTD is quite good this evening.. If #EFL match only has 56 mins of football – then the #BBC can stop paying big ears and the rest of them, rely on commentary only, we dont need analysis – we need more football to be shown.”
And @Johnt-democracy said it was an improvement, tweeting: “Much better format for MOTD no talk just footy!”
And Pierre Jameston described the show as refreshing. They tweeted: “Was sceptical about MoTD without host nor commentary – found it refreshing and definitely the way forward for me.”