How the BBC plans to protect Match of the Day’s brand

After 60 years, Match of the Day is abandoning its sole presenter format and taking on three people who will, in turn, host the show. It is a departure, but it is far from a new strategy in TV.

Match of the Day has, extraordinarily, had just five main presenters in its history – with Gary Lineker being in the hot seat for the past 26 years.

His replacements, who will take over the BBC One football highlights show next season, are all broadcasters rather than sports stars who have taken up broadcasting as a second career.

Lineker and, before him in the 70s and 80s, Jimmy Hill, were examples of former players who were comfortable taking the lead in the studio, but they were more an exception than a rule when it comes to hosting sports programmes.

There was speculation that footballer-turned-broadcaster Alex Scott would take over the show – but in the end, the names in the press release are all stalwarts of decades of live broadcasting.

The person who might be less familiar to the BBC TV audience is Kelly Cates. But the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has 26 years’ experience of live TV and radio on Sky and 5 Live. She knows football and she knows television.

Likewise, Gabby Logan has been presenting for 30 years. And Mark Chapman has 29 years under his belt and is already the face of Match of the Day 2 on Sundays.