talkSPORT Extends Global Audio rights partnership with Premier League to 2022

• Multi-lingual audio rights agreement covers all countries outside UK and Ireland
• Official coverage available to talkSPORT’s international streaming, broadcast and brand partners

Wireless Group is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement for talkSPORT, the world’s biggest sports radio station, to be appointed as global audio partner of the Premier League for an three additional years.

With its current global audio rights due to expire at the end of the 2018/2019 football season, this new agreement ensures live Premier League audio commentary will be available on talkSPORT across the world until the end of the 2021/22 season.

Amid the growing demand for premium digital audio content, supported by the growth of new mobile and smart audio platforms, this extended rights agreement with the Premier League cements talkSPORT’s position as a world leader in sports audio.

The exclusive central Premier League global rights package entitles talkSPORT to provide official live and on-demand audio coverage of all 380 Premier League matches to listeners around the world outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland, with distribution spanning both streaming and broadcast platforms. talkSPORT currently licenses itsPremier League coverage to distribution partners in 68 territories.

Wireless Group CEO, Scott Taunton, said of the renewal: “We’re thrilled to be extending our long-running global rights partnership with the Premier League – the most popular and highly-regarded league in the world. Today’s news confirms that our international audience will be able to enjoy talkSPORT’s unmissable coverage for an additional three seasons, creating exciting commercial opportunities for our broadcast, streaming and brand partners.”

Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore added, “These rights are an important part of the Premier League’s efforts to make the competition available to international fans. talkSPORT produces compelling live match commentary that reaches listeners across the world and we are very pleased that will continue for a further three seasons.”

talkSPORT’s coverage for overseas audiences is produced in-house by Wireless Studios, the digital audio production unit set up by Wireless Group to cater to growing demand for premium live and on-demand audio content. An expert team of commentators and producers will provide coverage in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Swahili and Bahasa Malay.

Prior to the new contract term with the Premier League, production will be moving to new facilities at News UK’s London headquarters, The News Building.

Already the world’s biggest sports radio station, talkSPORT is continuing to experience sustained audience growth. The latest instalment of RAJAR UK figures revealed talkSPORT increased its audience base by 14 per cent year on year, to 3.1 million listeners, with weekly listener hours ramping up to 20.8m – up 14 per cent year on year.

Source: Wireless Group