Talksport Expands Premier League Offering

22 May 2016 | tshego

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talkSPORT alongside its sister station talkSPORT 2 has announced that it has been awarded the right to broadcast three Premier League UK live audio packages for the next three football seasons, starting with 2016/17.

This partnership means that talkSPORT becomes the only national commercial radio station to carry live English Premier League commentary, offering its fans an opportunity to listen to some of the biggest and best games.

talkSPORT, which announced its latest industry figures according to RAJAR earlier this week, has seen live football make its mark on Sunday afternoons with two shows posting record results this quarter. ‘Sunday Exclusive’ hosted by Mark Saggers with regular commentators Stan Collymore and Sam Matterface saw a 25% increase in listeners, while ‘Call Collymore’, the post-match show also hosted by Stan Collymore has seen a year-on-year increase of 21%.

The station has also retained exclusive Premier League audio rights to broadcast 28 Sunday afternoon matches each season, which usually kick-off at 1.30pm or 2.15pm. The station has also retained its right to broadcast 28 Saturday late afternoon matches, which usually kick off at 5.30pm.

talkSPORT’s new sister station, talkSPORT 2, will have exclusive audio rights to specific Premier League matches at 3pm on Saturday afternoons and will be played out on the new station.

Scott Taunton, chief operating officer at talkSPORT’s owner Wireless Group, said: “We are very pleased that talkSPORT has been awarded three of the Premier League’s live audio packages, giving us the opportunity to play out more live Premier League football for our listeners than ever before.

“Becoming the only national commercial radio station to offer access to live Premier League commentary demonstrates our ongoing commitment to producing quality football coverage, fronted by a range of talented and credible presenters.

“It is also a huge bonus for us to have a package awarded that can be played out on our new digital station talkSPORT 2. The station has already made a name for itself, broadcasting a range of live sport and including coverage which hasn’t had a home on British radio before. Adding live Premier League coverage to this profile cements its credibility and authority in live football commentary.”

Since talkSPORT began broadcasting Premier League commentaries, it has seen sustained audience growth, narrowing the gap with its nearest competitor, BBC 5 Live.

talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2 will also be broadcasting every single match from UEFA Euro 2016 live in June this year, recently naming their presenters for the tournament including Joey Barton, Stan Collymore and Stuart Pearce MBE.