Latest news with #AlexKayJelski
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Emma Raducanu drives record audiences across BBC Sport with blockbuster Wimbledon match
Emma Raducanu's latest Centre Court appearance attracted a peak TV audience of 5 million – the third-highest peak for a non-final match in 4 years behind only her own fourth-round clash with Lulu Sun last year and Andy Murray vs. John Isner in 2022. The match also dominated digital platforms, with over 1.2 million requests on BBC iPlayer, making it the most-streamed match of the day and reaffirming BBC Sport's position as the UK's go-to destination for live tennis. So far, BBC Sport has recorded an incredible 31.6 million online requests for Wimbledon 2025, which is a 50% increase year-on-year and the highest-ever digital engagement for the tournament's opening week. The momentum has been building since day one. Opening day alone saw a total of 7.3 million online requests – a considerable increase from 5 million in 2024 with fans flocking to watch Carlos Alcaraz's epic five-set battle against Fabio Fognini, setting the tone for what has become a record-breaking start to the tournament. As Raducanu continues to make headlines on court, BBC Sport is breaking records off it, delivering unmissable moments to audiences across TV, radio, BBC iPlayer. Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, says "Wimbledon has the ability to mesmerise the nation, and the Sabalenka vs Raducanu match was one of those special moments that brought audiences to BBC Sport in their millions. We're proud to make these iconic and unforgettable sporting moments available to everyone free-to-air across TV, radio and online and there's still plenty of drama to come in week two'. Wimbledon continues across BBC Sport on TV, radio, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website/app and social platforms. Read more: Wimbledon 2025 - How to watch on TV and BBC iPlayer and follow across Radio, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport online CF Follow for more
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Five million watch Sabalenka beat Raducanu
A peak TV audience of five million people watched Aryna Sabalenka beat Emma Raducanu in straight sets in the third round of Wimbledon. Raducanu's latest Centre Court appearance attracted the third-highest peak for a non-final match in four years behind only her own fourth-round clash with Lulu Sun last year and Andy Murray's match with John Isner in were also over 1.2 million requests on BBC iPlayer, making it the most-streamed match of the Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: "Wimbledon has the ability to mesmerise the nation and the Sabalenka v Raducanu match was one of those special moments that brought audiences to BBC Sport in their millions." He added: "We're proud to make these iconic and unforgettable sporting moments available to everyone free-to-air across TV, radio and online - and there's still plenty of drama to come in week two."BBC Sport has recorded 31.6 million online requests for Wimbledon 2025, with 7.3 million of those coming on the opening 31.6 million online requests is a 50% increase year-on-year and the highest-ever digital engagement for the tournament's opening continues across BBC Sport on TV, radio, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website/app and social platforms.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gary Lineker's bitter feud with BBC worsens as final interview with Mo Salah BLOCKED amid fear pair ‘would discuss Gaza'
BBC chiefs delivered a final snub to Gary Lineker when they axed his last interview without warning — just before his final Match of the Day. He was due to talk to Liverpool goal hero Mo Salah, but there were fears Lineker — involved in an online row over an antisemitic post — would say something controversial about Gaza. 3 3 A source said the plug was pulled by director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who got the job last summer. The Sun has revealed there was 'no love lost' between Lineker and Kay-Jelski — with the ex-England hero allegedly giving him the cold shoulder at the FA Cup final. An insider said: 'The plan was for the interview to be shown across the BBC the weekend of Gary's final Match Of The Day. 'That would include on Football Focus the day before as well as online and on social media. 'Out of nowhere, it got cancelled. "Some people think they didn't want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza. 'Salah has spoken out in his support for Palestinians living in Gaza and Gary has made his feelings clear too. "It felt like it may have come up naturally in conversation. 'It seems they axed it rather than risk possible editorial issues. "They'd only just overcome one storm so to face another would have been a nightmare.' The Sun revealed Gary, 64, was l eaving the BBC after 26 years following his sharing of an Instagram post which criticised Zionism. It included an illustration of a rat — historically used as an antisemitic slur. With the BBC coming under increasingly intense pressure, Lineker issued two apologies, then agreed to step down from his £1.3million-a-year job The ex-Spurs star is understood to be focusing on his Goalhanger Podcasts business, as well as considering rival broadcasters' offers. He had been suspended from Match Of The Day in March 2023 after a post about the small boats controversy, but was reinstated after a boycott by his co-stars. The BBC said: 'The interview was cancelled because it was planned to air after Gary's last Match of the Day. 'It would be wrong to suggest anything else.' However a source insisted: 'A cross-platform interview with the Champions' star player could have aired anytime. "Salah wanted to speak to Gary so to axe it entirely seems short-sighted.' 3
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tour of Britain Women joins BBC Sport's line up of women's sport this summer
This summer, BBC Sport will bring even more women's sport to audiences, having secured the rights to show the Tour of Britain Women. The event, which will run from the 5-8 June, will see a record number of 18 teams compete across four stages; starting in the Tees Valley and concluding in Glasgow. BBC Sport will stream every stage live across all four days on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, bringing the race to fans wherever they are. Highlights, clips and key moments will also be shared across BBC Sport's social channels throughout the event. Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, says: 'The Tour of Britain Women will be another great moment for women's sport this summer and we're delighted to bring this event to fans across the UK through our popular digital platforms. The BBC has a strong track record of backing women's sport. Not just the victories, but the stories, the grit and the passion behind them. And as the UK's most-used sports broadcaster, we're proud to shine a spotlight on this race and its great cyclists.' Managing Director of British Cycling Events, Jonathan Day, says: 'We are really pleased that the BBC will broadcast the Lloyds Tour of Britain women during a huge summer of sport for women. The event is breaking records this year with the number of teams riding across the four stages, so it is brilliant news that the races will be available across BBC Sport's platforms, allowing the British public to follow the action from this sporting spectacle.' BBC Sport's roster of women's sport this summer includes Queen's, Wimbledon, Nottingham & Eastbourne, UEFA Women's Euro 2025, Women's Rugby World Cup, The Hundred and women's cricket international highlights, as well as the World Athletics Championships. Read more: Women's Sport takes centre stage across the BBC in summer 2025 RM4
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gary Lineker's brutal snub of BBC boss days before he quit revealed as he leaves channel for good in antisemitism row
GARY Lineker arrived to host his final Match of the Day yesterday — and we can reveal his bitter spat with his BBC boss. The former England footie captain, 64, looked relaxed in a checked shirt and jeans and smiled as he made his way into the studios. 6 6 6 But it came after he recently left colleagues in no doubt about his feelings on BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski. He was seen to snub his boss and made remarks about him in earshot of staff, it was claimed. Gary was yesterday gearing up to host the football highlights show for the final time after 26 years — having quit amid an antisemitism row. He started in 1999 alongside Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson and had been due to anchor the BBC's World Cup coverage next year after leaving MOTD. But he took the decision to quit the corporation altogether after he was blasted for reposting a video on social media which criticised Zionism with a picture of a rat — used as an insult to Jews by the Nazis. He has repeatedly apologised. Co-stars and close pals Micah Richards and Alan Shearer were also seen arriving at the MediaCity studios in Salford. Insiders said there was no love lost between Gary and his boss Alex, who took over the top job at BBC Sport from Barbara Slater last April. A source said: 'By the end of Gary's tenure at BBC Sport he didn't have much time for Alex. 'When he was working on the FA Cup final, just two days before he quit, Alex came over to where Gary was and he just walked off without a word. 'He made a couple of remarks about Alex in earshot of people working around them. It's clear there's no love lost. Gary is really well liked and there are plenty of people who joked that they agreed with what he said.' Gary Lineker apologises for antisemitic post and confirms he's quitting BBC next week 6 6
