Football fans have called for ITV to bring host Colin Murray with them after the broadcaster picked up the rights to coverage of the EFL, Carabao Cup and Papa John's Trophy.
The broadcaster will show highlights of both cup competitions, as well as footage from the Championship, League One and League Two, after confirming a two-season deal beginning at the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
A number of channels have shown highlights of the three divisions below the Premier League, with Quest holding the rights since 2018 and the BBC and Channel 5 both involved in the years before then.
The change of channel has fans worried about a change of presenter, though, and there have been plenty of calls for Murray to stay involved.
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“With 1891 matches played across the season, it’s crucial for the EFL that the very best of our match action is widely accessible and we are delighted that ITV will show highlights of our games for the next two years," EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch said in a statement.
“As an experienced major broadcaster with a comprehensive sports portfolio, ITV’s commitment to high quality coverage will showcase the breadth and depth of our competitions to football supporters all over the country.”
The coverage will be shown on ITV's channels as well as on-demand via ITV Hub, according to the company's director of sport Niall Sloane, who described the Championship as "one of the most unpredictable divisions we have".
ITV has pledged to show a "comprehensive round-up" at 9pm on ITV4 on Saturdays, with the programme later repeated on ITV1, as well as midweek highlights shows and "extensive" coverage of the play-offs, Carabao Cup footage and an hour-long special around the Papa John's Trophy final.
"Each show will feature every goal from every EFL fixture plus detailed analysis from a panel of expert pundits," a release reads.
However, the identity of the panel members has yet to be announced, prompting calls for Murray to remain part of the picture after hosting on Quest
"Great news this. Just hope @ColinMurray is the man to present it," one tweet read, while another viewer said "Please just keep Colin Murray I beg".
Others were more cautious, with one fan saying "Not sure what I think about this. To be honest, I think @QuestTV have done a good job and having someone like @ColinMurray presenting who knows their stuff and is genuinely passionate about life outside the PL instead of patronising is important. Devil will be in the detail."
There was plenty of nostalgia for ITV's top-flight coverage from the early part of the 21st century, with one saying "Beautiful Day back as the theme tune or we riot" and another laying out a list of demands: "Presented by @ColinMurray. Original ‘The Championship’ opening credits with U2 Beautiful Day. Thanks".
ITV's show 'The Premiership,' which had the U2 song as its theme, ran between 2001 and 2004, before the BBC bought back the rights and Match of the Day returned on Saturday nights.
