BBC Unveils Latest Details of Gary Lineker Podcast Venture After Departure from Match of the Day
BBC recently confirmed the specifics of a podcast licensing deal with Gary Lineker’s production company, Goalhanger. The former England footballer, who is gearing up to leave his role as the presenter of BBC’s Match Of The Day after a successful 25-year tenure, will now host two podcasts through his co-founded company on BBC Sounds.
The first podcast, “The Rest Is Football,” will be led by Lineker alongside former players Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. This podcast is scheduled to release one episode per week starting from November 27, with availability on BBC Sounds two days after the general release. Another podcast from Goalhanger, “The Rest Is History,” hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, will also be accessible on BBC Sounds. Following a prosperous trial period from September 2022 to January 2023, this podcast will be aired twice weekly, with the first episode set to debut on November 29.
Jonathan Wall, the director of BBC Sounds, expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership, stating, “We’re delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Goalhanger, adding not one but two outstanding The Rest Is podcasts to our existing world-class history and sports content on BBC Sounds.” He further highlighted the importance of these podcasts in expanding the audio offerings for listeners and driving growth in the UK podcast industry.
The agreement between the BBC and Goalhanger is set for one year, with the possibility of extension, ensuring that episodes will be accessible on BBC Sounds for three years. Tony Pastor, the co-founder of Goalhanger, shared his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We’re excited to announce that episodes of The Rest Is Football and The Rest Is History are now available on BBC Sounds, giving listeners even more ways to enjoy the shows.”
It was noted that Lineker’s departure from presenting Sports Personality Of The Year in 2023 marked the conclusion of his time in that role. However, Lineker will continue to present live football on the BBC until after the 2026 World Cup. The decision for Lineker’s exit from Match Of The Day is reportedly unrelated to contract negotiations, indicating a new chapter in his broadcasting career.
The announcement of Lineker’s podcast deal comes as a significant development in the world of sports broadcasting, signalling the shift in traditional media platforms to embrace digital content creation. With the landscape of content consumption evolving rapidly, collaborations like the one between the BBC and Goalhanger pave the way for more diverse and engaging programming for audiences worldwide. Lineker’s transition from television to podcasting reflects the changing preferences of consumers and the importance of adaptability in the media industry.