This from Dial Global Radio, the terrestrial radio partner of the National Football League and NCAA, comes word of a new agreement with the English Premier League. Through the EPL’s exclusive UK radio partner, talkSport, Dial Global will have access to almost 400 soccer matches a year and will provide play-by-play commentary in both English and Spanish.
In addition, Dial Global will have rights to the FA Cup and the Capitol One Cup. Dial Global affiliates will be able to air EPL games on weekend mornings.
This is a unique agreement and one that probably would not have been made even five years ago, but with the EPL’s rising popularity, it’s one whose time has come.
Here’s the Dial Global press release.
DIAL GLOBAL SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL TO BRING LIVE COVERAGE OF ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TO THE U.S.
talkSPORT’s Official Match Commentary will be Available Across Audio, Digital and Mobile Platforms in English and Spanish
NEW YORK, NY, August 1, 2013 – Dial Global, the largest independent national audio media company in the U.S., today announced an exclusive terrestrial, three-season partnership with talkSPORT, the world’s biggest sports radio station based in London, U.K., to broadcast live coverage of the English Premier League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup. The partnership includes play-by-play commentary of nearly 400 soccer matches per year, in both English and Spanish languages, on a soon-to-be-announced digital platform as well as weekend morning Barclays Premier League games of the week throughout the season for domestic radio stations which will all feed an avid and rapidly growing soccer fan base across the U.S.
As Global Audio Partner of the English Premier League, talkSPORT has unparalleled access to the news, stories and people at the heart of the world’s most exciting soccer league. Last season’s programming included exclusive interviews with Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, Chelsea goal-scoring record breaker Frank Lampard and Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher, among many others.
“On the heels of reaching a major milestone with our 300th NBC Sports Radio affiliate, we couldn’t be more excited to be the resource delivering top-rate soccer coverage to a rabid fan base across the country,” said Paul Caine, Dial Global CEO. “This partnership is another major step forward for Dial Global as we continue to bolster the strength of our sports offering through powerful programming, content and cross-platform promotions in audio, digital and mobile.”
Listeners will have access to talkSPORT’s official play-by-play commentary which will be broadcast live from the UK; an exclusive weekly English Premier League preview show; a weekly highlights show; live interviews, and English-language documentary programming featuring profiles of sporting figures and English Premier League clubs.
“In just the past year, since becoming the Global Audio Partner for the Premier League, we have witnessed a groundswell of demand for live soccer commentary around the world,” said Scott Taunton, Chief Executive, talkSPORT. “We are thrilled to be working with Dial Global who is just as passionate and committed as we are about delivering the best and most exciting soccer coverage to the ever increasing number of fans in the U.S. market.”
More on this as it becomes available.
