Talksport in worldwide Premier League radio deal

The London-based, UTV Media-owned broadcaster, which already owns a package of domestic radio rights to English soccer's top flight, will be entitled to air live commentary of all 380 Premier League matches each year to all territories outside the European Economic Area from the start of the 2012/13 season onwards. It expects to provide commentary in English, Spanish and Mandarin and to establish networks of radio stations across regional markets around the world. Coverage will also be made available online and via mobile apps.

 

In order to fulfil its obligations, Talksport will also expand its base of operations in London and grow its editorial and commercial staff by a reported 30 per cent, while other UTV Media properties will assist in production and marketing.

 

 

Scott Taunton, the chief executive of Talksport, said: "This is a huge development for Talksport which builds on the significant progress the station has made in the UK in recent years. I'm really excited about the potential for Talksport as a global brand, invoking the same passion in listeners and advertisers overseas as it does in the UK."

 

UTV Media plc group chief executive John McCann added: "Since UTV acquired Talksport in 2005, we have invested significantly in sports rights and presenters to successfully reposition talkSPORT as the brand leader for sports audio content in the UK. Today's agreement with the Premier League is part of UTV's strategy to market Talksport globally. We look forward to building on Talksport's reputation for quality sports content with international audiences and advertisers alike, backed up by UTV's expertise in global digital delivery."

 

 

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said he looked forward to Talksport's "excellent coverage" being made available to "millions of fans across the globe".

 

The global radio rights to the Premier League were last sold to IMG in 2007 in a three-year deal which was not renewed. According to the Guardian, the BBC World Service will retain the right to broadcast the second half of two matches each weekend - one Saturday 3pm kick-off and one Sunday fixture.