[AJB39]

Most years between 1998 (the first year in the BARB archives) and 2019, the number of viewers was between 5 million and 7.5 million.

Notable exceptions were 1999 when nearly 8.5 million watched Muhammad Ali being crowned Sports Personality of the Century, 2003 when a similar number watched the 50th SPOTY, and 2012 when nearly 11 million relived the memories of the London Olympics and much more.

And, of course, 2011 when it was held on a Thursday for reasons that weren't obvious (compared to this year, anyway) and there wasn't a single woman on the shortlist. Not only did fewer than 5 million watch, but it missed BBC1's top 30 altogether (in contrast, the following year's event placed third, only Strictly and its results show attracting more viewers).

Both the 2020 and 2021 events were watched by fewer than 4 million. 2020 one could understand because, obviously, there wasn't a great deal of sport that year - but in 2021 there were the Euros and the Tokyo Olympics. Unless many saw no point in watching because Emma Raducanu was going to win anyway?

Just general ratings decline and a trend that is seeing all awards show suffer large drops.

I’m sure it also suffered this year from having to air on Wednesday night. I don’t the BBC have as much confidence in it as they used to either. It used to air in a prime 8-10 slot and carry the evening but in recent years it’s aired between 7 and 9 and this year 6.45pm.