Newswatch presenter Samira Ahmed touched on the backlash from BBC viewers over the sports coverage.09:38, 04 Jul 2026It looks as though BBC viewers are less than impressed.‌On Saturday's Newswatch (July 4), presenter Samira Ahmed addressed the outrage some viewers have expressed over sports news dominating the BBC's coverage.‌Since the World Cup kicked off last month, the presenter revealed there have been complaints about its impact on the BBC's content and timing of news bulletins. However, this isn't the only sporting event taking place at the moment, as Samira highlighted, there are other tournaments happening.‌She explained: "The big cricket story over the weekend and the start of Wimbledon on Monday, the influence of sport on BBC News output has increased, and so has your feedback. Some of that has focused on the disruption to scheduling of BBC bulletins."Samira took a moment to read out some of the complaints submitted by viewers, with one person slamming the decision to show the football during the six o'clock news slot on the day Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned.‌Although the presenter stated that the six o'clock news had already been on earlier that day, running for a shorter-than-normal broadcast. She also explained that the 10 o'clock news was also aired an hour earlier to make allowances for the football.The Newswatch star added that over the past fortnight, half of the evening weekday news programmes on BBC One have been shown earlier or later than normal.Samira informed viewers that although no one from BBC News was available to discuss the issue on Newswatch, they did provide a statement.‌It read: "Coverage of the World Cup continues to bring audiences together, transcending sport and becoming a shared national moment."We have made some targeted changes to our schedules to accommodate World Cup coverage, including some evening news bulletins. At the same time, we continue to provide comprehensive international and UK news coverage across the BBC News channel, BBC iPlayer, radio, the BBC News website and BBC News social channels."‌The complaints regarding the sports coverage dominating the news comes the same day as Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty gave an important update on the upcoming England World Cup match against Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning.He said: "England's World Cup match against Mexico will still kick off at 1am here in the UK after FIFA U-turned on a plan to bring the game forward."Article continues belowNaga added: "Football's governing body was set to reschedule the fixtures to 7:00pm on Sunday evening due to threats of thunderstorms."News of the proposal angered both English and Mexican officials. It's understood that the football authorities considered the impacts of the change on fans and players."Newswatch continues during Saturday's BBC Breakfast, which begins at 6am on BBC One.