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17 Apr 2012 12:00
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 £0.8 million. The Agreement is expected to result in the service making a loss in the first year of operation of approximately £1.0m, 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
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