Simon Jordan has lashed out at proposed changes to Match of the Day following the departure of Gary Lineker that would see more talk and less Premier League action
Simon Jordan condemned proposed changes to Match of the Day as he ordered BBC bosses to listen to fans.
The iconic highlights show is about to enter a new era with long-time host Gary Lineker stepping down and being replaced by a rotating cast of presenters, Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman.
The show could also see a wider revamp after BBC chairman Samir Shah suggested the show could see fewer highlights and more analysis, with the belief being that many viewers will have already seen the key moments from games. However, a poll conducted by the BBC showed that just 8 per cent of viewers want to see more analysis, with 46 per cent actually preferring to see more action.
The remaining 46 per cent would stick with the show’s current formula. With that in mind, talkSPORT pundit Jordan has slammed the suggestions for a revamp.
He said: “The bottom line is if Match of the Day goes down the parameters of what this idiot controller is suggesting that it should be doing, it’s basically saying less game, more speech, less clips, more commentary.
“I mean, have you ever heard such balderdash? No one in their right mind would possibly suggest that the viewing public [would want that]. In fact, the vox pop that was done suggested the viewing public does not want to hear more chat.
“They want to see the clips with less chat, yet this clown is suggesting that Match of the Day needs to morph into more commentary, less clips.”
The former Crystal Palace says the show must be preserved and not go down the same route as Football Focus, which has been consistently losing viewers recently.
“Match of the Day was so important to football because without it, Sky would never have got traction,” added Jordan. “The reason why Sky got it is because they were prepared to give a highlights package for Match of the Day and keep it on terrestrial TV.
«So Match of the Day was absolutely fundamental to the value of the increase in opportunity for broadcasters like Sky to be successful.
“So to diminish it and turn it into something that’s not valuable would be a fool’s errand. If they turn it into something that resembles Football Focus then they’ll destroy it.”
However, Chapman has insisted that, aside from the rotation of hosts, viewers will see few changes. Speaking at the recent SJA Awards, he said: «Nothing different. I know people keep saying, ‘Oh this will change or that will change.’ I genuinely don’t think anything will change.
«It will still be showing all the highlights and having a bit of a chat. So, if you’re wanting a lot of change, I suppose you’re going to be a bit disappointed by it. I think we are still just going to do the same thing and talk about football and have a laugh and that will be that.»
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