Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about Match of the Day. Click on a question to reveal the answer.
How do you decide the running order for the programme?
The running order is decided upon by the programme editor once all the matches have taken place. The order can be dictated by the quality of the game, the importance of the result in deciding the title or relegation, or purely by the amount of goals scored.
Why is my team always on last?
Since regaining the Premier League highlights rights in August 2004, our aim has been to provide a more comprehensive review of Saturday's Premier League action. It's our intention that we do not show less than five minutes of a game - in fact we frequently show more.
The running order for each programme is determined by the day's big stories, talking points and most entertaining games. There is certainly no perceived bias against or in favour of certain teams. Each match takes its place in the running order on its own merit. And it is precisely for that reason that we send a commentator to every Premier League game on Saturdays and Sundays. The show is always transmitted live which means plans may change at the last minute if a big story breaks.
Is Match of the Day available on BBC iPlayer?
Yes. Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 will be available for live streaming on BBC iPlayer. It will now be available on iPlayer shortly after midnight on the day of broadcast.
Why don't you show a repeat of Match of the Day later on a Sunday?
Due to the terms of our contract with the Premier League, the repeat has to be off-air before 10.30am so a later slot on BBC One is not an option.
Why is there a midweek MOTD some weeks, but not others?
Unless special dispensation is agreed, under our current contract, there have to be at least six Premier League fixtures in a given midweek for us to be allowed to mount a programme.
Do you have a commentator at every match?
Yes, we send a commentator to every Saturday and Sunday match.
Why is Goal of the Month no longer a competition?
Under the new competition regulations at the BBC dating from 2008, a number of compliance measures (including a bounce-back text acknowledging receipt of every entry) were required. The competition was therefore costing thousands of pounds from the MOTD budget (ultimately licence fee-payers' money) to administer every season. The prize was limited under the regulations to two Premier League tickets for the winner, and the vast majority of viewers never entered but just enjoyed the month's best goals as a videotape sequence. It was therefore decided, starting with the 2009/10 season, to retain the concept of Goal of the Month and Goal of the Season as an entertaining watch, but to save the disproportionate expense of running a competition out of the programme's budget.
