Sky’s Soccer AM set to end after 28 years on air

The end of an era

Sky is reportedly cancelling its popular football talk show Soccer AM after nearly three decades on air. The show first aired in 1995 and became known for its fun games and celebrity guests. After reports of the impending cancellation, a Sky spokesperson said that the programme had played an important role in the broadcaster’s coverage of football for the past 30 years, adding “we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our customers”.

The final episode

The show’s last episode is set to air on May 27, when the current Premier League season ends. Soccer AM was originally presented by Helen Chamberlain and Tim Lovejoy, before featuring presenters John Fendley and former footballer Jimmy Bullard. Over the years, Soccer AM has interviewed many high-profile football players, as well as a range of other celebrities, such as singer-songwriter Noel Gallagher and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Soccerette controversy

Soccer AM’s “Soccerette” segment, which featured young women modelling Soccer AM T-shirts, was cancelled in 2015 amid accusations that it was outdated. During the segment, presenters would ask women whether they were single or in a relationship – and reactions to their answers were based on what they said. Some former Soccerettes have since found success in the entertainment industry, including TalkSport presenter Natalie Sawyer and Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe.

A loss for fans

The possible cancellation of Soccer AM reflects an ongoing struggle for football broadcasters, as they try to move beyond traditional formats and engage with fans in new ways. Sky, which is owned by Comcast, has not commented further on the cancellation.

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Credit: https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/national/23405968.sky-set-cancel-soccer-nearly-three-decades-air/

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