MATCH OF THE DAY last night received its largest audience since November.
The programme was watched by 2.58 million people – up nearly 500,000 from last week’s 2.09m viewership.
The BBC aired a shortened 20 minute highlights package at 10:20pm last night.
Following the mutiny sparked by Gary Lineker’s suspension after his tweet likening the language used in introducing the government’s controversial Illegal Migration Bill to that of 1930s Germany, the bizarre version of the show featured no studio punditry.
Regular analysts and presenters Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to fill in, plunging the show into crisis.
The broadcast didn’t feature a host or even commentary, instead moving from game to game showing just the highlights.
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No interviews with players or managers were included, with stars not asked to give interviews to Match of the Day.
Despite the large viewership, many fans were left unimpressed by the stripped-back version of the show.
One fan wrote: “Even the Match of the day intro is protesting!”
Another asked: “Why am I sat commentating on Match of the Day myself?”
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“Match of the Day with no commentary – what a farce,” declared another.
A fellow viewer wrote: “Surreal watching a silent match of the day.”
While another said: “Match Of The Day on BBC One with zero commentary is…different.”
One added: “Bit speechless watching Match of the day.”
Some, however, didn’t mind the unusual show.
One fan wrote: “Fantastic match of the day instead of listing to all the b******s!”
Another said: “Honestly. This match of the day without presenters and over the top commentary is f***ing miles better !!!”
The 2.58m viewership was the largest since 2.63m tuned in on November 5.
On that day, fans watched Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Fulham, Leicester 2-0 triumph at Everton and Leeds’ thrilling 4-3 victory over Bournemouth, among other games.
Sun columnist Piers Morgan was not impressed by last night’s reduced offering.
He wrote: “BBC should now adjust the licence fee so that everyone on Twitter pretending to prefer Match of the Day in the new format can pay £1 less a month but only ever watch it that way in future.
“Spoiler alert: nobody would take that deal. It’s s***.”
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Match of the Day 2 is now in the balance this evening, with regular host Mark Chapman backing Lineker.
Pundit Jermain Defoe has also announced he will not be appearing on the show.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
