The English Football League (EFL) has renewed its national radio rights contract with talkSPORT and BBC Radio, marking a significant milestone for the world's oldest professional football league tournament. This renewal ensures that fans will have access to live commentary and updates for every English Football League match over the next four seasons.
talkSPORT has secured exclusive live commentary rights, which include a minimum of 130 live matches and a maximum of 150 in the Sky Bet Championship. The deal also includes at least 15 live Sky Bet League One and League Two matches. Furthermore, they will have exclusive coverage of all Sky Bet EFL playoff matches across the three divisions.
In addition to these, talkSPORT will cover ten live matches from the Bristol Street Motors Trophy per season. They also have rights to up to 30 non-exclusive live commentaries for Carabao Cup matches.
Liam Fisher, the head of talkSPORT, said:
“It’s fantastic to be able to extend our exclusive deal with the EFL past the 10-year mark. The Championship, League One, and League Two continue to provide some of the most exciting and competitive football in the world. The playoffs remain a fascinating end-of-season conclusion. Along with the Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy, we will be delivering comprehensive live match coverage; alongside dedicated complementary output whoever you follow.”
Non-Exclusive rights held by BBC
BBC holds non-exclusive rights to provide score flash updates for all three Sky Bet EFL divisions as well as the Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy. They also possess non-exclusive broadcasting rights for up to 25 Carabao Cup matches including the final on either BBC Radio 5 Live or Sports Extra.
Ben Wright, Chief Commercial Officer at the EFL, said:
“TalkSPORT’s approach to EFL coverage over recent years has been both innovative and engaging; bringing the storylines and drama of the EFL to fans. The new deal will continue that trend. It also sees a strong commitment to supporting the life-changing work delivered by our community across England and Wales,”
Heidi Dawson, Head of BBC Radio 5 Live, said:
“The BBC is a long-time partner of the EFL. Agreeing to this deal to support the wider football pyramid is really important for the BBC. Keeping audiences updated on EFL action and providing live commentary for Carabao Cup games alongside our wider football portfolio is a key element of our offering on BBC Radio 5 Live.”
This new radio rights deal aligns perfectly with EFL’s efforts towards growing its leagues via media distribution. In March, EFL approved international TV rights deals with Pitch International and Relevent Sports aimed at broadcasting EFL competitions worldwide over the next four years - further emphasizing their commitment towards expanding reach and enhancing visibility of their competition.
Future implications for the EFL
The renewed radio contracts with talkSPORT and BBC Radio are set to play an instrumental role in maximizing coverage exposure of EFL clubs & competitions. This strong partnership with these broadcasters underscores EFL’s commitment towards delivering high-quality football coverage to fans. Consequently, this supports the football community in England and Wales by ensuring that the excitement of EFL matches reaches as many fans as possible.
This renewed contract is a significant step forward for EFL, talkSPORT, and BBC Radio. It not only ensures comprehensive coverage of the league but also contributes to its growth and visibility on a global scale. For sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike, it promises an exciting time ahead with extensive access to live commentary and updates from every match in the English Football League.
