TIDMUTV 
 
Tuesday 17 April, 2012 
 
 
                        Trading Update - UTV Media plc 
 
         talkSPORT Secures Barclays Premier League Global Audio Rights 
 
UTV Media plc ("UTV" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that talkSPORT 
has agreed a deal with the Premier League for an exclusive package of 
international audio broadcasting rights for the next four football seasons (the 
"Agreement"). The deal will see talkSPORT become a global audio partner of the 
Premier League and broadcast commentary outside Europe on all 380 Barclays 
Premier League games in multiple languages, including English, Spanish and 
Mandarin in what is the biggest development for the station since its launch. 
 
From August 2012, sports fans outside Europe will have access to a new global 
audio service from talkSPORT offering unparalleled access to Premier League 
football, alongside other relevant sports audio, with distribution via the 
internet and mobile apps. talkSPORT also intends to establish a network of 
global radio partners in markets such as Asia, North America and Africa. 
talkSPORT is already an official broadcaster of the Barclays Premier League in 
the UK, broadcasting 64 games a season. talkSPORT is already in discussions 
with a number of potential commercial and distribution partners for the 
international output. 
 
Launched in 2000, talkSPORT is the world's largest dedicated sports radio 
station with an audience of over 3.2 million adults and was named Sony Radio 
Academy Station of the Year in 2011. 
 
Production of the international output will come from expanded studios at 
talkSPORT's existing premises in London and the station will also increase its 
editorial and commercial teams. UTV will use its New Media division, primarily 
through Tibus and Simply Zesty, to assist in the delivery of the project by 
providing digital marketing and technical expertise. 
 
The project will also be supported by appropriate investment from UTV, with set 
up and pre-launch costs expected to be in the region of GBP0.8 million. The 
Agreement is expected to result in the service making a loss in the first year 
of operation of approximately GBP1.0m, with breakeven expected in the second year 
and the service is expected to be profitable thereafter. 
 
Scott Taunton, Chief Executive, 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. We'll be expanding 
our London office studio and production space and I can't wait to see the buzz 
on matchdays." 
 
John McCann, Group Chief Executive, UTV Media plc said: 
 
"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: 
 
"We are extremely pleased to enter into a new international agreement with 
talkSPORT and welcome them as our new global audio rights partner. 
 
"talkSPORT currently offers excellent Barclays Premier League radio commentary 
coverage in the UK and we look forward to that being available to millions of 
fans across the globe with English, Spanish and Mandarin broadcasts in 
territories outside of Europe for four seasons from 2012/13. 
 
"As we're seeing in the closing stages of this season the Barclays Premier 
League is a compelling competition and radio rights are important to ensuring 
that as many fans as possible can follow the League and their club." 
 
                                    -Ends- 
 
For further information contact: 
 
Maitland 
 
Tom Buchanan/Rowan Brown +44 (0) 20 7379 5151 
 
UTV Media plc 
 
John McCann Group Chief Executive +44 (0) 28 9026 2202 
 
Norman McKeown Group Finance Director +44 (0) 28 9026 2098 
 
Orla McKibbin Head of Communications +44 (0) 28 9026 2188 
 
 
 
END
Wireless Grp (LSE:WLG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Wireless Grp Charts.
Wireless Grp (LSE:WLG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Wireless Grp Charts.