BBC defends decision to bump Theresa May for Derby vs Southampton

BBC One continued its live football broadcast while Theresa May made her statement
BBC One continued its live football broadcast while Theresa May made her statement Credit: BBC

BBC One has defended its decision to shunt a live Brexit speech from Theresa May on to BBC Two so the channel could instead screen penalties from an FA Cup third-round replay.

News at Ten was also delayed after the channel chose to instead screen uninterrupted coverage after Derby County staged a late comeback against Southampton to force the game into extra time. Viewing figures for the football initially dipped from 3.9milllion to 3.3m as 2.5m viewers instead tuned in to the Prime Minister's scheduled 10pm speech.

However, after watching the Brexit address, viewers flooded back to the football, which eventually reached a peak of audience of 4.6million as Frank Lampard's Championship team won in the shootout.

Some of those tuning in were critical that the BBC had apparently prioritised football over the Prime Minister's announcement. In response, Gary Lineker tweeted a screen-grab of the figures, and wrote: "Moral of the tale: stick to football."

The broadcaster said: "When the match went to extra time and penalties, we provided a live news special on BBC Two, and pointed viewers to this with on air and in vision signage. We also made clear that the news would begin straight after the match's conclusion."

During Wimbledon season, the corporation regularly moves the tennis from channels BBC One to Two to ensure it does not impact on scheduling. When asked why it had not moved the football, the BBC was not immediately able to clarify whether the broadcaster is contractually obliged to keep the FA Cup on the same channel.

After seeing off a vote of no-confidence in her Government on Wednesday, Mrs May invited the other party leaders for individual talks to find a way forward on Brexit. "I believe it is my duty to deliver on the British people’s instruction to leave the European Union and I intend to do so," she told viewers who tuned in to BBC Two.

BBC and BT Sport have the rights to The FA Cup until 2021. Some fans have been critical that many kick off times were staggered over third-round weekend.

The BBC is contracted to show FA Cup matches on BBC One, according to one source close to the deal. There were no advance planning discussions over potentially switching channels between the BBC and the FA ahead of Wednesday night’s broadcast.

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