By Mark Baber
April 10 – A new three-year deal for seven exclusive commentary packages, starting with the 2013/14 season, ensures UK radio stations will continue to broadcast the same premier league football matches as under the current arrangement.
BBC’s 5 Live hang on to four of the seven packages: with first pick of matches at 3pm on Saturday afternoons, Saturday lunchtime, Sunday afternoon and Monday night fixtures.
talkSPORT keeps its Saturday late and Sunday lunchtime fixtures.
Absolute Radio has second choice of kick-offs at 3pm on Saturday afternoons.
Each of the packages comprises between 31 and 33 live Barclays Premier League games.
talkSPORT’s audience in its two time-slots has now reached 3m adults and chief executive, Scott Taunton, said: “Live football is an integral part of what talkSPORT does best and we’ve seen phenomenal growth in audience and a growing interest from advertisers.”
Premier League director of sales and marketing, Richard Masters, said: “We are extremely pleased that the BBC, talkSPORT and Absolute Radio have all again chosen to invest in the Barclays Premier League. We look forward to continuing to work with them as they showcase the League to fans across the country.
“The Barclays Premier League live radio commentary rights are important to ensuring a huge number of fans can follow the League and their club.”
talkSPORT also has a package of its Premier League commentary rights that it is syndicating to radio and media outlets worldwide. The package includes foreign language commentary as well as the option of English language. China is targeted as a key market but so far no deal has been concluded.
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