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JOHN CROSS COLUMN: The BBC and talkSPORT currently share the Premier League radio rights in the UK – with the former holding four out the seven packages
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Mikel Arteta previews Aston Villa clash
The next round of radio rights is already promising to be far more competitive than the last Premier League TV deal.
Sky, BT Sport and Amazon “rolled over” their existing deal for another three years at the same price following the impact of the pandemic.
But the battle between talkSPORT and BBC is likely to see an increase in the value of the next broadcast deal which is due to start from the 2022/23 season.
Negotiations and talks are underway with BBC currently holding four of the seven packages on offer, including both main commentaries on a Sunday which includes the prime 4.30pm kick-off.
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talkSPORT are relative newcomers to the market, have the other three set of rights but have made a huge impact with their coverage and effectively have Saturdays sewn up with the other prized slot at 12.30pm plus the 5.30pm kick-off.
The BBC are desperate not to give away the lion’s share especially as they regard Sundays as a huge asset and it remains to be seen whether a third bidder could come into the market but, from the days when the Corporation had it all their own way, they now regard talkSPORT as a huge rival.
Meanwhile, there is likely to be anxiety among radio bosses and presenters across all the networks as RAJAR’s listening figures due to announced for the first time in 18 months next Thursday.
They were put on hold for 18 months because of a lack of reliable research during the pandemic and some shows are fearing the worst.
The next big foreign TV deal will come with the US rights for the Premier League with NBC’s existing deal due to expire in May. There is fierce competition, talk of a split package and a steep rise in value which again shows how attractive English football is on a global scale.
Irony over No Room For Rasicm amid Newcastle takeover
The Premier League reignited its very commendable No Room For Racism campaign last weekend and will publicise it again for the next round of fixtures.
However, the irony of the anti-discrimination message was not lost on several clubs opposed to Newcastle ’s Saudi takeover amid the rows of “in-house” sponsorship deals being blocked by their rivals.
The £300m takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has shone a light on the treatment of women and the LGBT community in the country and is another major issue for several Premier League clubs unhappy about the whole scenario.
talkSPORT’s Norwich charm offensive
Head of talkSPORT Lee Clayton paid a visit to Norwich City last week as the station has been on a mission about the club recently.
Presenters Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara suggested the Premier League should be reduced to 18 teams with the ex-Spurs midfielder midfielder suggesting Norwich were an “embarrassment” and were “pointless.” Cundy called them a “disgrace.”
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talkSPORT’s occasional presenter and reporter Alex Crook claimed they had “no real intention of competing” and were “cheating the system” and had not reinvested.
The lack of balance annoyed Norwich because, in reality, they spent nearly £60m in the summer, were the tenth biggest spenders in the Premier League in transfer fees and loans so it is hard to accuse them of not having a go this season.
Clayton went to the training ground, has seen Norwich’s sporting director Stuart Webber and the volume level has been turned down since.
Carvalhal viral moment the latest hit for former Swansea manager
Former Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal is doing a terrific job at Sporting Braga and a video of a goal celebration has become a huge hit.
Braga have put faith in their academy youngsters this season and 15-year-old Roger Fernandes scored his first goal for the club in a 5-0 win at Moreirense the immediately ran to his manager to enjoy a celebratory hug.
