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Sportscene
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| Sportscene | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sport |
| Presented by | Jonathan Sutherland (Sunday Highlights, Friday Championship Live) Steven Thompson (Saturday Highlights, Sportscene Live) |
| Country of origin | Scotland |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Production locations | BBC Pacific Quay Glasgow, Scotland |
| Running time | Varies |
| Production companies | BBC Sport Scotland (BBC Sport) |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One Scotland BBC Two Scotland (before 2019) BBC Scotland (2019–) |
| Release | 9 August 1975 – present |
Sportscene is the name of a range of Scottish sports television programmes produced by BBC Scotland.
History
[edit]Sportscene's predecessors were Sports Special from Scotland and Sportsreel,[1] which was broadcast every Saturday at around 5pm (results and reports) and 10pm (highlights) in the 1950s, 1960s and the early 1970s. By the mid-1970s, a Sportscene format of a 5pm programme called Scoreboard presented by Gordon Hewitt (as a regional opt-out from Grandstand), plus a 10pm show with highlights from one English and one Scottish league or cup match, was established. Sportscene also covered European and international matches, which usually involved highlights but occasionally live coverage. The show was presented by Archie Macpherson with commentary by Macpherson, Alastair Alexander or Peter Thomson.
Shows
[edit]
A number of shows come under the Sportscene brand.
- Sportscene is broadcast on Saturday and Sunday evenings on BBC Scotland with a late night repeat on BBC One Scotland and is presented by and Steven Thompson Saturdays and Jonathan Sutherland on Sundays. The show produces highlights of all the week's matches from the Scottish Premiership. Sutherland is joined by two studio guests who discuss the results. Guests have included Pat Nevin and Packie Bonner. Commentators include Rob Maclean, Liam McLeod, Paul Mitchell, John Barnes and Alasdair Lamont.
- Sportscene Live is the name used for all live football matches broadcast by BBC Scotland. It is mostly presented by Steven Thompson and Leanne Crichton on the BBC Scotland channel and some live matches are presented by Rob Maclean on BBC One Scotland. Coverage includes the Scottish Championship, the Scottish Cup and Scotland international matches.
- Most other football related programming is simply branded as Sportscene. This includes highlights packages and other one-off specials. The main exception is a TV simulcast of the Open All Mics service provided by BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound, which airs on the BBC Scotland channel on Saturday afternoons.
Previous shows
[edit]- Sportscene Results was broadcast on Saturday afternoons on BBC One Scotland and occasionally BBC Scotland (formerly BBC Two Scotland) until January 2025. The programme offered a round-up of the day's main football results, whilst debating the major Scottish football stories of the week. It sent reporters to every game in the Scottish Premiership, certain games in the Scottish Championship, as well as Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup games. BBC Scotland had historically produced a Saturday teatime results round-up programme as an opt-out from Grandstand, initially known as Scoreboard which launched on 16 August 1975, but in 1989 a new programme called Afternoon Sportscene was launched. It ran for the entire duration of the time allocated for the day's results, starting at some point between 1 and 5 minutes before the network aired English counterpart Final Score. At the start of the 2001/02 season the programme was renamed Sportscene Results to co-inside with the programme, and Final Score, becoming programmes in their own right. Sportscene Results presenters included David Currie, Peter Thomson, Sandy McLeish, Murdoch McPherson, Brian Marjoribanks, Alastair Alexander, Gordon Hewitt, Bill McFarlan, Rob Maclean, Jim Craig, Dougie Donnelly, Hazel Irvine, Alison Walker, Dougie Vipond, Stuart Cosgrove and Eilidh Barbour. The show also gave football experts like Pat Nevin and Tony Higgins an opportunity to give their views on the day's results and the past week of football. The very last edition of Sportscene Results aired on 2 January 2025; its timeslot was taken by a simulcast of BBC Radio Scotland's Open All Mics.[2]
- Sportscene Rugby Special was the title of BBC Scotland's domestic rugby union programming when it held the rights to the Scottish leagues with the live matches & highlights broadcasting on BBC Two Scotland on Sunday teatimes starting on 30 October 1994 until the end of the 1996–97 season[3] also on Sunday lunchtimes for the 1997–98 season[4] for the 1998–99 season it was broadcast on Monday teatimes[5] and for the 1999–2000 season on Sunday nights moving to BBC One Scotland[6] before the 2000–01 season on Saturday nights after Sportscene: Match of the Day[7] although this didn't last long as BBC Scotland lost the broadcasting rights of the Scottish rugby at the end of 2000 to rival Scottish Television which launched Scotsport Rugby Round-Up on 14 January 2001, The last Sportscene Rugby Special programme was on 4 November 2000 (highlights)[8] and 18 November 2000 (live)[9]
- Friday Sportscene was the name of the football preview programme that went out on BBC One Scotland on Friday nights from 11 August 1989[10] – 25 May 2001[11] The programme's format was later moved to Saturday lunchtimes in place of Football Focus from 28 July 2001 but has been absent from the schedules since BBC Scotland lost the live rights to the Scottish Premier League in 2004.
Presenters, commentators and reporters
[edit]Sportscene's main hosts are David Currie, Steven Thompson and Jonathan Sutherland, with Amy Irons filling in when the latter two are unavailable.
Previous Sportscene presenters include Peter Thomson, Sandy McLeish, Bill Malcolm, Archie Henry, Murdoch McPherson, Glen Gibson, Brian Marjoribanks, Alastair Alexander, Charles Munro, Archie Macpherson, Gordon Hewitt, Andrew Alexander, Dougie Donnelly, Bill McFarlan, Jim Craig, Derek Johnstone, Laura McGhie, Hazel Irvine, Jock Brown, Mark Souster, Alison Walker, Mike Abbott, Richard Gordon, Jill Douglas, Amy Irons, John Beattie, Dougie Vipond, and Stuart Cosgrove.
The programme's main commentary and reporting team consists of lead commentator Liam McLeod, Paul Mitchell, John Barnes, Kheredine Idessane, Al Lamont, Jane Lewis and Chris McLaughlin.
Previous lead commentators include Archie MacPherson (1969–1990), Jock Brown (1990–1997), Rob MacLean (1997–2004) and Paul Mitchell (2004–2010).
Reporters on Sportscene Results have included Jonathan Sutherland, Chris McLaughlin, Brian McLauchlin, Tam McManus, Kenny Crawford, Scott Davie, Martin Dowden, Jim Spence, Charlie Mann and Sandra Brown.
Sportscene celebrated its 50th anniversary in August 2025 with special episode wherein Archie MacPherson, Dougie Donnelly and Rob MacLean returned to reprise their previous roles. MacPherson, now 91 years of age, commentated on a scoreless draw between St Mirren F.C. and Motherwell F.C..
Online
[edit]
Sportscene has begun simulcasting certain live matches via both the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport mobile app. The 2006-07 UEFA Cup tie between Molde FK and Rangers F.C. was one of the first to feature online. Most programmes now feature on the BBC iPlayer service, depending on rights restrictions.
In popular culture
[edit]The programme is regularly parodied in the Scottish football impressionist show Only an Excuse?. Munchtime Sportscene is a name often used by the programme's makers, presumably a play on the currently rested Lunchtime Sportscene programme.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Q & A". thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "BBC Scotland announces change to football coverage as popular show axed". The National. Archived from the original on 9 January 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ The Guardian - 30 October 1994 - Page 99, via Newspapers.com
- ^ The Guardian - 23 November 1997, Page 184, via Newspapers.com
- ^ The Guardian - 19 October 1998, Page 51, via Newspapers.com
- ^ The Observer - 21 November 1999, Page 131, via Newspapers.com
- ^ The Observer - 8 October 2000, Page 182 via Newspapers.com
- ^ The Guardian - 4 November 2000, Page 441, via Newspapers.com
- ^ The Guardian - 18 November 2000, Page 405, via Newspapers.com
- ^ "Register". Retrieved 8 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ The Guardian - 19 May 2001 - Page 282, via Newspapers.com
External links
[edit]- Sportscene at BBC Online
- Sportscene at IMDb
Sportscene
View on GrokipediaOverview
Format and Content
Sportscene is a range of Scottish sports television programs produced by BBC Scotland, primarily focusing on football coverage of the Scottish Premiership and domestic cups.[5][6] The standard format consists of 30- to 60-minute episodes that feature curated match highlights, expert analysis from studio pundits, player and manager interviews, and comprehensive results round-ups from Scottish leagues. Episodes typically open with studio introductions linking to key action, followed by goal compilations and post-match breakdowns emphasizing tactical insights and standout performances unique to Scottish competitions, with occasional live links to venues for on-site reporting. This structure prioritizes post-match analysis to provide viewers with in-depth context on games, distinguishing it as a multimedia highlights program rather than live broadcasts.[5][7] Since its launch in 1975, Sportscene has evolved from a results-oriented service, influenced by earlier programs like Sportsreel, into a dynamic platform incorporating video highlights, archival footage, and interactive elements to enhance engagement with Scottish sports audiences. In August 2025, the program marked its 50th anniversary with a special broadcast featuring returning presenters.[7] The emphasis remains on football, delivering content tailored to regional leagues and tournaments while adapting to technological advancements in broadcasting.[7]Broadcast Details
Sportscene primarily airs on BBC One Scotland during evenings and weekends, featuring highlights programs such as Saturday editions typically broadcast around 10:30 PM following Premiership matches.[8] Additional slots are available on the BBC Scotland channel, which has hosted extended coverage since its launch in February 2019, replacing the previous opt-out service on BBC Two Scotland.[9] Prior to 2019, many episodes, including results shows, were scheduled on BBC Two Scotland, though Saturday afternoon results broadcasts transitioned to an audio-led format via BBC Radio Scotland's Open All Mics on BBC One Scotland starting in January 2025.[10] The program is produced at BBC Pacific Quay in Glasgow, utilizing a multi-camera studio setup for studio segments and integrating remote feeds from match venues for live and highlights content.[11] This facility, located on the River Clyde adjacent to the Glasgow Science Centre, supports the production of key segments like analysis and interviews, ensuring seamless integration of on-site and off-site elements.[12] Typical scheduling includes Saturday night highlights of Scottish Premiership games on BBC One Scotland, midweek results and analysis episodes often on BBC Scotland, and occasional live broadcasts under the Sportscene banner for select matches, such as up to 30 live Scottish Championship games per season as part of expanded coverage in 2025.[13] For instance, live transmissions have included events like the Scottish Masters Cup in November 2025 and select international qualifiers.[14] These slots prioritize comprehensive post-match coverage while accommodating live programming when rights permit. Broadcasting rights for Sportscene are secured through agreements with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), granting BBC Scotland exclusive access to Premiership highlights until the end of the 2028/29 season, alongside up to 20 live Scottish Championship games per season, typically on Friday nights.[15] A December 2024 renewal enhanced this deal by increasing live Championship fixtures to 30 per season and adding highlights from lower leagues, effective from 2025.[13] Rugby coverage under Sportscene was historical; the BBC held domestic rights from 1993 to 1999, ending the dedicated Sportscene Rugby Union segment. Current BBC rugby rights include shared coverage of Scotland's home internationals in the Six Nations until 2029, but these are not part of Sportscene.[16]History
Origins and Launch
Sportscene was established in 1992 as a retailer specializing in sports-inspired streetwear, footwear, apparel, and accessories for men and women.[17] Initially independent, the brand was acquired by The Foschini Group (TFG) later in 1996, integrating it into TFG Africa's portfolio and enabling rapid expansion across southern Africa.[2] This acquisition aligned Sportscene with TFG's strategy to target the mid-to-upper income youth market, leveraging the growing demand for trendy, urban fashion in post-apartheid South Africa.Key Developments and Milestones
Under TFG ownership, Sportscene focused on omnichannel growth and brand refinement. In 2016, the brand launched its dedicated online platform to complement physical stores, enhancing accessibility for digital-savvy customers.[3] This was followed by the introduction of a mobile app in 2021, offering exclusive content, shopping, and trend updates to engage its core 18-25 demographic.[3] A significant restructuring occurred in 2018 when Sportscene's sub-brand Archive was separated to operate as an independent entity, allowing Sportscene to sharpen its focus on core streetwear offerings while Archive targeted premium casual apparel.[3] The brand continued physical expansion, reaching 387 stores across southern Africa as of 2025, up from 383 the previous year.[1] In March 2024, TFG secured a franchise agreement with JD Sports, bolstering Sportscene's sports division through co-located stores and shared expertise in global sportswear trends, with initial outlets opening later that year.[4] This partnership supports TFG's goal to double the Sports Division's turnover to R20 billion over five years, positioning Sportscene as a key driver in the region's lifestyle retail market.[1]Programming
Sportscene, as a South African retail brand specializing in sports-inspired streetwear, does not produce or feature any television or broadcast programming. Content describing BBC Scotland's Sportscene television program has been removed due to topic mismatch; refer to the separate article on the BBC program for details on its shows and history.[1]Personnel
Sportscene operates as a brand within The Foschini Group's (TFG) Africa division, specifically under the Sports and Lifestyle portfolio. Management and strategic oversight are provided by TFG's executive team. As of 2025, key figures include:- Anthony E. Thunström, Chief Executive Officer of TFG, who leads the group's strategy for the Sports and Lifestyle division, including expansions like JD Sports franchises that complement Sportscene's offerings. Thunström joined TFG in 2015 and oversees the division's growth targets.[18]
- Ralph R. Buddle, Chief Financial Officer, responsible for financial management across TFG's divisions, including Sportscene's 387 stores in southern Africa. Buddle joined in 2023.[18]
- S. A. Baird and G. S. Naidoo, Group Directors - Retail, who handle retail operations for TFG Africa brands, including merchandising and store expansion for Sportscene.[18]
