Match of the Day scores viewing figures success with BBC’s new digital strategy

Highlight clips available at 8pm on Saturday for first time

Match of the Day host Kelly Cates (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Match of the Day’s viewing figures have increased considerably this season in a vindication of the BBC’s new digital strategy, according to data obtained by the Guardian.

Traditional linear viewing of the Saturday and Sunday evening highlights programmes had declined by 770,000 to 6.88 million average weekly views last month compared with December 2024 but MOTD has gained 1.52 million viewers by making highlight clips available on its website and app at 8pm on Saturdays for the first time.