BBC ending Ski Sunday after nearly 50 years on air

The BBC is ending Ski Sunday after nearly 50 years, according to BBC Sport. The program first broadcast in 1978. Ed Leigh and Chemmy Alcott are the program's most recent presenting team, with Alcott having become lead co-presenter alongside Leigh in 2021.

A BBC Sport statement explained: "Changing audience behaviours and the tough financial decisions needed to meet savings requirements mean BBC Sport must continually review how it delivers value for licence fee payers and serves audiences across all platforms. This decision forms part of that process."

Philip Bernie, head of BBC Sport events, said Ski Sunday "has been a truly iconic programme." He added: "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."

Bernie stated: "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."

The Guardian's reporting notes the decision comes amid scrutiny over the BBC's approach to sports rights.