BBC Moves Today At Wimbledon Show to Late Night Slot

Sunday, June 21, 2026

The BBC has moved its Wimbledon highlight show, Today At Wimbledon, to a late-night slot on BBC2, replacing the traditional prime-time format with a shorter highlights program. This change reflects the BBC's strategy to attract younger viewers through digital platforms but has sparked criticism from longtime fans concerned about the shift away from the established broadcast style.

The BBC has shifted its long-standing Wimbledon nightly highlight program, Today At Wimbledon, to a new late-night slot, marking a significant departure from its traditional prime-time scheduling. The show, which has been a summer fixture since its debut in 1964, will now air from 11 p.m. to midnight on BBC2, replacing the previous format that featured a full presenting team with a basic hour of highlights.

Today At Wimbledon, known for its in-depth analysis and expert commentary by broadcasters such as Clare Balding, Sue Barker, John Inverdale, Des Lynam, and Harry Carpenter, had historically been scheduled between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., catering to a wide audience. The move comes following a prior attempt by the BBC in 2023 to modernize the broadcast by introducing a more digital and social media-oriented format hosted by Qasa Alom, which was met with considerable viewer dissatisfaction.

The decision is reportedly influenced by Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC Sport director, who aims to capture a younger demographic increasingly turning to digital platforms for sports content. The new schedule reflects a strategic shift towards encouraging audiences to access Wimbledon highlights via the BBC Sport website and app rather than traditional television viewing.

The change has drawn criticism from some quarters who view it as a disregard for long-time viewers loyal to the program’s traditional format. A source close to the BBC described the decision as "totally misjudged," suggesting it neglects older audiences who have supported the show—and contributed to the license fee system—over many decades.

Despite the absence of Today At Wimbledon from the BBC’s recent press release outlining this year’s Wimbledon coverage, the corporation announced several notable additions to its team, including former Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi, doubles specialist Jamie Murray OBE, and players Genie Bouchard and Laura Robson. Meanwhile, Qasa Alom's role has been reduced to that of a commentator following the earlier format overhaul.

The BBC’s move underscores ongoing challenges traditional broadcasters face in balancing legacy programming with shifting viewer habits amid the rise of digital sports consumption.