'It was Blue Peter does tennis'... BBC axes Wimbledon show's woke stunts in humiliating U-turn as it returns to conventional highlights package
BBC bosses are plotting a humiliating U-turn over their Wimbledon coverage after a raft of changes to the event's TV schedule and a new evening show were panned by viewers.
Two years ago, executives tore up BBC Sport's long-standing format and launched a new 'woke' highlights show, Today At Wimbledon, fronted by relatively unknown environmental activist Qasa Alom.
Previously a documentary presenter on Radio 4 and the BBC's Asian Network, his hosting and the style of the show were pilloried by tennis fans who vowed to switch off – labelling it 'truly dreadful to watch'.
And in an embarrassing admission that the new programme had proved a disaster, insiders have revealed the BBC plans to air a more conventional highlights package, made up of more match action and serious punditry, with fewer pre-recorded stunts.
Production executives from the failed show are set to be moved to the live coverage each afternoon, along with a reallocation of the budget and production staff.
A source said: 'The resources are being moved back to the main show, now hosted by Clare Balding, and the highlights show is going to become a more traditional package.'
The source said the revamp was a 'disaster' and viewers 'hated it', adding: 'It was like Blue Peter does tennis, so this will go back to being a proper sports show with footage from the day's play and serious pundits. The viewers want to watch tennis and see knowledgeable experts talk about it. Why that ever changed is ridiculous.'
Two years ago, executives tore up BBC Sport's long-standing format and launched a new ' woke ' highlights show, Today At Wimbledon, fronted by relatively unknown environmental activist Qasa Alom (pictured)
Insiders have revealed the BBC plans to air a more conventional highlights package, made up of more match action and serious punditry, with fewer pre-recorded stunts. One source said that resources are being moved back to the main show hosted by Claire Balding (right)
The annual tournament remains the jewel in the crown of the BBC's sports coverage, costing £60 million per year – the same as the organisation pays for Match Of The Day
The new-look show saw Alom, who runs his own YouTube channel focusing on the climate crisis and environmental issues, pre-recording interviews around the iconic venue in south-west London.
But viewers were unimpressed, with one writing online: 'Truly dreadful to watch. More bizarre ideas from the BBC. Sort it and bring the traditional format back.'
Another said they missed Wimbledon's familiar faces, writing on social media that they wanted John McEnroe brought back for the highlights show in the evening. While it is not known whether the BBC will land his signature, it is hoped that there will be some tennis legends.
The annual tournament remains the jewel in the crown of the BBC's sports coverage, costing £60 million per year – the same as the organisation pays for Match Of The Day.
The overhaul will be overseen by controversial new Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who is also spearheading the revamp of the flagship football highlights show amid Gary Lineker's departure as host.
Tennis legend Sue Barker, who used to present Wimbledon coverage before the failed revamp, said at the time she had decided to step away after predicting she would otherwise be 'phased out' by bosses due to her age.
