Bristol City and Bristol Rovers fans face change as ITV shake up highlights programme

Bristol City and Bristol Rovers fans could have a different viewing experience, when it comes to watching ITV's highlights programme.

At the moment, it is a two-hour programme, that starts with Championship highlights before working its way down to League One and League Two. It includes a presenter, as well as usually two pundits, but now that is likely to change. Mirror Sports are reporting that there are to be significant cutbacks to the shows output next season, with running-time set to be shortened, as well as the presentation of the programme.

The show will now have quickfire goals and rather than be broadcast from a studio, they will be pitch side from stadiums, similar to when there is an international break edition of the show. Post-match interviews from players and managers will remain, and both Hugh Woozencroft and Jules Breach will alternate in presenting the show, but as for pundits, they will not be a regular feature. ITV are a year into their two-year contract after taking over from QUEST TV, and their recent change in format of the show, will be similar to their Goals on Sunday format.

ITV's EFL highlights programme aired from 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm on ITV4, with the channel hopeful that fans would tune in before Match of the Day on BBC, which usually started at 10.20 pm. Fans who have attended 3.00 pm games however can witness the highlights of the games they've attended on the Sky Sports app and on their website.

It has been a summer of change in regards to football broadcasting, with Sky Sports saying goodbye to Jeff Stelling, Geoff Shreeves and Martin Tyler, with Peter Drury replacing Tyler, but the others replacements have yet to be announced. BT Sport meanwhile have gone under a re-brand to TNT Sport, and have scrapped their 'Score' programme, which was similar to Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday or Soccer Special, and Jake Humphrey has also left his broadcast duties with the company.

Earlier this week it was reported that the FA were giving consideration to selling their intentional rights to the Premier League, which could see a change in the rules. It could see FA Cup replays scrapped, as well as the final played during the regular season.