BBC ends Ski Sunday after nearly 50 years

The BBC has announced that its long-running winter sports programme Ski Sunday will no longer be produced, bringing to a close a show that has been part of the broadcaster's output for almost five decades. The programme, which first aired in 1978, has been a staple of BBC Sport's winter coverage, presenting alpine skiing action alongside features on a range of snow sports.

The decision was confirmed by the BBC in a statement, with the corporation citing ongoing cost-cutting measures as the reason. The broadcaster said: "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."

The move follows the earlier cancellation of Football Focus, which ended after 52 years on air earlier in 2026. The BBC has said it will continue to show parts of the Winter Olympics, as reported by The Independent.

A broadcasting institution

Ski Sunday was originally launched in 1978 to follow on from the 1976 Games in Innsbruck, and later formed part of Sunday Grandstand. It was fronted for many years by David Vine, with former skier Graham Bell and snowboarder Ed Leigh later forming a popular presenting partnership. Four-time Olympian Chemmy Alcott joined the programme alongside Leigh in 2021, with the pair serving as its final presenters.

The show created household names in the UK out of alpine skiers like Franz Klammer, Konrad Bartelski and Michela Figini, as reported by Manchester Evening News. It also became known for its theme tune, a violin-led arrangement called 'Pop Looks Bach', composed by Sam Fontey.

One of its most famous broadcasts was a 1981 World Cup men's downhill race from Val Gardena, in which British outsider Bartelski finished second. That moment prompted Vine to say: "The race we thought was all over – and then the Union Jack came down the hill like a rocket."

In recent years, Ski Sunday evolved into a magazine-style programme with a broader winter sports remit.

Reactions and context

Philip Bernie, head of events at BBC Sport, said: "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."

He added: "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."

The end of Ski Sunday is part of a wider programme of cuts at the BBC. In July, the corporation confirmed the cancellation of three other shows: Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind, and Live At The Apollo. The BBC has said it aims to make up to £500 million in savings over the next three years, as reported by Manchester Evening News.