MOTD Frequently Asked Questions

The Match of the Day and Football Focus editors post regularly about the show on BBC Sport's editors' blog.

They try to answer questions about the show and give an insight into how we bring the coverage to you, and we have summarised the answers below.

All complaints about the BBC, our programmes and services should be sent via our Complaints site:

bbc.co.uk/complaints

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Running orders Scheduling

Red button or web alternative

BBC HD Music Clock

Commentators Autographs Goal of the Month

Copies of the show

RUNNING ORDERS

HOW DO YOU DECIDE THE RUNNING ORDER FOR MATCH OF THE DAY?

The Match of the Day editor explains at length in this entry.

WHY IS MY TEAM ALWAYS LAST ON MATCH OF THE DAY?

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 Match of the Day editor explains more here.

The show is always transmitted live which means plans may change at the last minute if there is a big story.

WEBSITE/RED BUTTON ALTERNATIVES

WHY ISN'T MATCH OF THE DAY OFFERED ON iPLAYER/ON DEMAND ON THE WEBSITE/AS A VIDEO PODCAST?

Both Match of the Day and Football Focus are simulcast on the website every weekend - but we can't currently offer the programme on demand throughout the week or on iPlayer because the BBC don't have the rights to show Premier League action on the web outside of live broadcasts.

However, MOTD2 will be available on BBC iPlayer every Tuesday for seven days from the start of the 2010/11 season.

Find out how to watch Match of the Day on the BBC Sport website here.

If you are experiencing video and audio problems on the BBC Sport website, check the FAQs here.

WHY CAN'T YOU PUT THE SHOW ON THE RED BUTTON, OR OFFER LONGER EDITS OF EACH MATCH ON THE RED BUTTON?

Sky bought the UK rights to interactive coverage of the Premier League so we are unable to offer either a repeat, or longer edits or analysis of individual games, via the red button.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FOOTBALL FOCUS VIDEO PODCAST?

The Focus podcast was part of a BBC-wide video podcast trial which has now come to an end. The BBC are using the results of the trial to decide how to proceed. We will be making a decision on our next steps later in the year.

HIGH DEFINITION

WHY ISN'T MATCH OF THE DAY AVAILABLE IN HD?

Match of the Day cannot be broadcast in HD because some of the matches are still filmed in standard definition (SD). The BBC's videotape infrastructure and the studio are also in SD. It is very expensive to convert everything to HD and would not deliver long-term value to either the BBC or its licence fee payers given BBC Sport's move to Salford in 2011 (where the infrastructure will be in HD).

However, the BBC's live Championship games are in HD where possible, as will the 2010 World Cup. This is because outside broadcasts do not require the same infrastructure as Match of the Day and are therefore far easier to produce in HD.

MUSIC

CAN I DOWNLOAD THE MATCH OF THE DAY THEME TUNE?

Unfortunately the BBC does not actually own the rights to the MOTD theme tune and therefore, for copyright reasons, we can't put it on the web.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT THE MUSIC USED IN A SHOW?

If you have a question about music please check here.

You can find out more about the process behind picking a piece on music for BBC Sport here.

SCHEDULING

WHY DON'T YOU SHOW A REPEAT OF MOTD LATER ON A SUNDAY

The repeat has to be off-air before 10.30am, so a later slot on BBC ONE is not an option, as explained here.

WHY DO YOU NOT SHOW A LONGER EDIT OF THE SUNDAY MATCH IN MOTD2?

Unfortunately we're only allowed contractually to show ten minutes of match action from a Sunday live game.

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.

WHY DOES THE TIME MOTD IS BROADCAST CHANGE?

Generally the show is on air at 2230 on Saturdays and 2200 on Sunday, though there are the odd exceptions.

CLOCK

WHY DON'T YOU PUT A CLOCK ON ALL MATCH EDITS?

A clock on each Match of the Day edit would require a separate graphics operation to superimpose the time live on each game. At present one graphics source puts the graphics on all matches once they're edited. Any changes would therefore be very costly. It would also lead to the clock jumping dozens of times during an edit as we pull up close-ups, replays and set pieces.

The issue is debated here.

COMMENTATORS

DO YOU HAVE A COMMENTATOR AT EVERY MATCH?

Yes, we send a commentator to every Saturday and Sunday match, as Match of the Day editor Paul Armstrong explains here.

GOAL OF THE MONTH

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.

COPIES OF PROGRAMMES

CAN YOU SEND ME A COPY OF A PROGRAMME?

Unfortunately we are unable to make copies for viewers who were in the crowd, in shot, or for viewers who simply missed the programme.

If you've made a significant contribution to a BBC TV or radio programme (for example, if you were a performer or a member of the production team), you can request a contributor's copy of the show if it is held in the archives.

Visit the Contributor Access Terms & Conditions for eligibility information and to apply online.

AUTOGRAPHS

CAN I HAVE GARY LINEKER'S AUTOGRAPH?

If you want a signed photograph of any BBC Sport presenter or pundit, please send a self-addressed envelope to:

BBC Sport: autograph request
Room 5070 (football unit)
Television Centre
Wood Lane
London W12 7RJ.