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9 Apr 2013 17:02
UTV MEDIA PLC - Trading UpdateUTV MEDIA PLC - Trading Update
PR Newswire
London, April 9
9 April 2013
Trading Update - UTV Media plc
talkSPORT Secures two Barclays Premier League Audio Rights Packages
UTV Media plc ("UTV" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it hassuccessfully renewed talkSPORT's exclusive national audio broadcasting rightsfor two Premier League packages for the next three football seasons (the"Agreement") starting 2013/2014.
The Agreement means that talkSPORT will be the exclusive audio rights holderfor Sunday fixtures before 4pm and Saturday evening matches throughout the UK.
talkSPORT will broadcast between 60 and 64 matches in total each season, withthe opportunity to build on the increase in audience that Premier Leaguecommentary has given the station since it secured the rights in 2010. PremierLeague football is at the heart of talkSPORT's programming and has beeninstrumental in driving more than a 25% increase in talkSPORT's audience overthe past three years.
Scott Taunton, Chief Executive, talkSPORT, said:
"Securing these rights puts us in a strong position to build ontalkSPORT's success in recent years and drive the business forward. Over thepast three years since we first acquired these rights, we have establishedourselves as a major player in providing exciting, energetic and distinctivePremier League commentary.
"Live football is an integral part of what talkSPORT does best and we've seentremendous growth in audience and advertising since we first acquired theserights in 2010."
John McCann, Group Chief Executive UTV Media plc, said:
"Investment in sports rights is a key way to expand talkSPORT and this latestdevelopment further enhances the station which has enjoyed significant growthin recent years not just in the UK but now globally. We are also lookingforward to the prospect of commentary of the 2014 FIFA World Cup from Brazilnext year."
Launched in 2000, talkSPORT is the world's largest dedicated sports radiostation with an audience of more than 3 million adults and was named Sony RadioAcademy Station of the Year in 2011.
After securing the Barclays Premier League audio rights outside Europe in 2012,talkSPORT has built international studios and now broadcasts every PremierLeague match live across the world, as well as several key FA Cup and CapitalOne Cup fixtures.
The station has also invested significantly in UK sports commentary rightswhich now include the FA Cup, England football internationals, Capital One Cup,the Aviva Premiership and also the exclusive UK radio rights to the British andIrish Lions tour of Australia in June.
-Ends-
For further information contact:
UTV Media plcJohn McCann Group Chief Executive +44 (0) 28 9026 2202Orla McKibbin Head of Communications +44 (0) 28 9026 2188
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