TalkSport extends global football rights deal

UTV Media's radio station TalkSport has extended its agreement with the English Premier League for the global audio rights to football matches until 2019.

The London-based station has been reappointed as the Premier League’s global audio partner up to the end of the 2018-2019 season, continuing its existing four-year agreement, which was due to expire at the end of the 2015-2016 season.

UTV Media's chief operating officer Scott Taunton said the global rights deal had helped TalkSport establish itself "as a truly international sports media brand" and that the renewal of the agreement would help it launch in more markets.

TalkSport has the exclusive rights to provide official live commentary on all 380 English Premier League matches in any language to listeners around the world, excluding the UK and Republic of Ireland.

TalkSport is the biggest radio asset owned by Belfast-based UTV. It also has rights to provide audio commentary on Premier League matches with Saturday evening and Sunday lunchtime kick-offs in the UK market, with the rights to other matches shared by BBC Radio 5 Live and Absolute Radio.

The Premier League kicks off at 12.45pm tomorrow with Manchester United, featuring new captain Wayne Rooney (pictured) v Swansea City.