BBC Radio 5 Live and Talksport have extended their domestic national Premier League radio commentary rights until the end of the 2028/29 season.
- BBC secures four of the six audio packages available and will offer give matches from each round of fixtures
- Up to 209 matches per season will be available on radio and via audio streaming on BBC Sounds
- Allocation includes both Saturday 3pm games, Saturday at 5:30pm and 2pm and 4:30pm on Sunday
- Talksport will offer approximately 111 matches, including Saturday 12:30pm kick offs, evening fixtures on Fridays and Mondays, and any rearranged midweek fixtures
Live Premier League commentaries have been the cornerstone of 5 Live’s output since it’s inception in 1994. Its reach is hugely valuable for the league given the absence of live free-to-air (FTA) television coverage, with some matches also available globally on the BBC World Service.
However, the emergence of commercial rival Talksport has challenged the BBC’s monopoly on live radio, offering competition for various audio rights. Soccer, however, remains the most important property on the UK airwaves. Talksport is also the Premier League’s global audio partner, providing all 380 matches to various radio and streaming partners around the world.
Premier League chief media officer Paul Molnar said: “We are delighted to continue our long-term partnerships with the BBC and Talksport, who have both consistently delivered outstanding live Premier League football across a broad range of platforms. Their engaging live commentary and wider programming is an important service for Premier League fans across the UK, and we look forward to working with both organisations over the next four seasons.”
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