BBC scrap legendary Ski Sunday after 50 YEARS in major broadcasting change

THE BBC have decided to scrap iconic Ski Sunday show after nearly 50 years. The programme was a staple over the winter months during Sunday afternoons. Ski Sunday has been axed by the BBC after nearly 50 years Credit: PA The BBC will continue to show the Winter Olympics Credit: AFP But various off-piste changes to the sports programming and cut backs means Ski Sunday got the chop. Ironically, the decision comes just months after Team GB won only its second-ever skiing Winter Olympic medal as Zoe Atkin followed in the footsteps of sister Izzy and claimed women’s halfpipe bronze at Milan-Cortina. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! The BBC said: “Following careful consideration, BBC Sport has decided to say farewell to Ski Sunday, ending a remarkable run over nearly five decades. “Since its debut in 1978, Ski Sunday has become an iconic part of the winter sports calendar, bringing the excitement, drama and beauty of the action on the snow to audiences across the UK. “Throughout its long run, the programme has played a key role in showcasing outstanding athletes and telling the biggest snow sport stories. “The success and longevity of Ski Sunday is a testament to the extraordinary people who have worked on the programme throughout its history, both on screen and behind the scenes. “Their brilliance, passion, expertise and dedication have made the programme a trusted and much-loved destination for winter sports fans. “Changing audience behaviours and the tough financial decisions needed to meet savings requirements mean BBC Sport must continually review how it delivers value for licence fee payers and serves audiences across all platforms. This decision forms part of that process. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “BBC Sport will continue to showcase the biggest winter sports moments, including at the Winter Olympics.” Head of BBC Sport Events Philip Bernie added: “Ski Sunday has been a truly iconic programme and a much-loved part of BBC Sport’s output for many years. “Generations of viewers have enjoyed its coverage of the best in winter sports. “We are enormously proud of the role it has played in bringing these moments to audiences across the UK, and extremely grateful to the brilliant people who have delivered them, not least the current outstanding team. “These decisions are never easy, but as audience viewing habits evolve and we work to deliver value for licence fee payers, we have to make tough choices. “We remain committed to bringing audiences the very best of winter sport, above all at the Winter Olympics, across BBC Sport’s platforms.” Some fans were gutted by the news there will be no more Ski Sunday – although others could not resist the chance of a cheeky quip. One typed: “Game’s completely gone.” Another replied: “That’s so sad, I’m not into skiing but as a kid used to watch that with my dad with David Vine on comms.” A third joked: “Had been going downhill for a while to be fair.” And a final user mocked: “It was on a slippery slope to be fair!” Comment now