FA lands long-term radio deals with BBC and Talksport

27 July 2012 | Posted in Broadcast, Soccer, Europe | By Eoin Connolly

The Football Association (FA) has agreed six-year radio broadcast deals with the BCC and TalkSport.

BBC Radio 5 Live has secured the live radio commentary rights to the men's and women's FA Cup and the Community Shield from 2012/13 until 2017/18. It will also cover England international soccer matches during that period, including qualifiers for the Fifa World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and for Uefa Euro 2016 in France.

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Barbara Slater, the director of BBC Sport, said: "We're delighted to have secured another agreement for the commentary rights on BBC Radio 5 live.  Both the FA Cup and international matches have a strong heritage on BBC radio and are hugely valued by our listeners. It's really exciting to take it forward for another six seasons."

Talksport, meanwhile, is the exclusive commercial radio broadcaster for the FA Cup in the UK and will have exclusive global syndication rights for coverage across its Talksport International network. It will also cover the Community Shield and England friendly internationals. Commentary willl made available online and through mobile apps.

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Scott Taunton, the chief executive of Talksport, said: "The FA Cup is the original and most historic cup competition in the world. I’m extremely excited that this deal gives us the ability to bring talkSPORT’s passion and analysis to the FA Cup, Community Shield and England friendlies to our listeners in the UK for the first time ever."

FA general secretary Alex Horne added: "We're delighted that two high profile broadcasters in BBC 5 Live and Talksport will be bringing The FA Cup with Budweiser, England internationals and the Community Shield to large audiences nationwide."

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