Editing Talksport

{{Redirect|Talk Radio UK|Talksport's 2016 sister station|Talkradio}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = Talksport logo.png
| name = Talksport
| airdate = 14 February 1995 (as Talk Radio UK)<br />17 January 2000 (as Talksport)
| frequency = [[Medium wave|MW]]: 1053 kHz, <br />1071 kHz ([[Tyne and Wear]]), <br />1089 kHz, <br />1107 kHz ([[Hampshire]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[Merseyside]])<br />[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 11D/12A [[Digital One]]<br />[[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]: 723<br />[[Sky UK|Sky]] (UK only): 0108<br />[[Virgin Media]]: 927
| city = London
| area = United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland<br />Global ([[Premier League]] games only)
| format = [[Sports radio|Sports]]
| language = English
| owner = [[News Broadcasting|News UK Broadcasting Ltd]]
| licensee = [[News UK]]
| licensing_authority = [[Ofcom]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| sister_stations = {{Hlist
 | [[Talkradio|TalkRadio]]
 | [[Talksport#Talksport 2|Talksport 2]]
 | [[Times Radio]]
 | [[Virgin Radio UK]]
 | [[Virgin Radio UK#Sister stations|Virgin Radio Anthems]]
 | [[Virgin Radio UK#Sister stations|Virgin Radio Chilled]]
 | [[Virgin Radio UK#Sister stations|Virgin Radio 80s Plus]]
}}
}}

'''Talksport''' (styled as '''talkSPORT''') is a [[sports radio]] [[radio station|station]] in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, owned by [[News Broadcasting]]. Its content includes live coverage of sporting events, interviews with the leading names in sport and entertainment, phone-ins and discussion. Talksport, alongside [[sister station]] Talksport 2, is an official broadcaster for several sporting contests, including the [[Premier League]] and [[English Football League]].

The station originated as a non-sport station, '''Talk Radio UK''', in 1995. It relaunched as Talksport in January 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/598642.stm|title=Sport relaunch for Talk|work=BBC News}}</ref> In the UK, Talksport is one of the [[Independent National Radio]] licensees, holding the INR3 licence for a speech-based service. It is available primarily on its [[medium wave]] frequencies 1089&nbsp;kHz and 1053&nbsp;kHz, but also on 1071&nbsp;kHz and 1107&nbsp;kHz, [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] digital radio, television platforms [[Sky UK|Sky]], [[Virgin Media]], [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]], [[Freesat]], and [[Freely]], and via the [[Internet radio|Internet]]. Outside the UK and Ireland, Talksport broadcasts live commentary of every Premier League match around the world in multiple languages including English, Spanish and Mandarin.

As of October 2024, the network broadcasts to a weekly audience of 3.5 million listeners in the UK, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php|title=RAJAR|work=rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

==History==
===Talk Radio era===
The station was originally and officially launched as Talk Radio UK on 14 February 1995 by American-based [[Emmis Communications]], attempting a talk station with a "brasher" style and with [[Shock jock|shock jocks]] compared to [[BBC Radio 5 Live]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://transdiffusion.org/2008/11/27/home_of_the_sho/|title=Former home of the Shock Jocks|first=Stephen|last=Hopkins|website=Transdiffusion}}</ref> It launched with the original ''Talk Radio Breakfast Show'', however, the first live broadcast had been [[Caesar the Geezer]]'s phone-in which aired the previous night. Other presenters on Talk Radio included [[Jeremy Beadle]], [[Tommy Boyd]], [[Anna Raeburn]], [[Lorraine Kelly]], [[Gary Newbon]], [[Terry Christian]], and [[Dale Winton]].

After quitting the [[Radio 1 Breakfast|Breakfast Show]] on [[BBC Radio 1|BBC Radio 1 FM]] in April 1995, [[Steve Wright (DJ)|Steve Wright]] joined the station, presenting ''Steve Wright's Talk Show'' – a live Saturday morning programme.<ref>{{Citation |title=Steve Wright's Talk Show - Talk Radio - 6 January 1996 | date=13 February 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQjWsVS5PBg |access-date=2023-08-07 |language=en}}</ref> The show was guest-focused and popular at the time, but short-lived, as it moved to [[BBC Radio 2]] in March 1996 and re-launched as ''Steve Wright's Saturday Show''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - Radio 2 - Presenters - Steve Wright |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/presenters/steve-wright/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

By the end of its first year, the shock jocks were dropped, leading to increased ad revenue from advertisers, and the station was bought out by Media Ventures International (MVI).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uk.themedialeader.com/media-ventures-buys-out-partners-in-talk-radio/|title=Media Ventures Buys Out Partners In Talk Radio - The Media Leader|date=3 November 1995}}</ref> Luxembourg based [[RTL Group|CLT-UFA]] eventually became the majority owner of Talk Radio. A year later Talk Radio launched a new breakfast show presented by [[Paul Ross]] and [[Carol McGiffin]]. Former [[BBC Radio 1]] [[Disc jockey|DJ]] [[Simon Bates]] also joined the station, along with [[James Whale (presenter)|James Whale]], [[Ian Collins (radio presenter)|Ian Collins]], and [[Mike Dickin]].{{cn|date=March 2025}}

Talk Radio made its first foray into the world of sports radio rights bidding by purchasing from [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] the rights to broadcast [[English Football League|Football League]] matches for the 1997–98 season. In addition, the station broadcast its first [[FIFA World Cup]] from France in 1998, bringing in the [[Sky Sports]] commentary team of [[Alan Parry]] and [[Andy Gray (footballer born 1955)|Andy Gray]] to commentate on the major matches. [[Dave Roberts (sports broadcaster)|Dave Roberts]] covered additional games in France. Talk Radio also acquired up the rights to broadcast [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s matches in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] for the 1998–99 season.

===Creation of Talksport===
On 12 November 1998, TalkCo Holdings – whose chairman and chief executive was [[Kelvin MacKenzie]], former editor of ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' – purchased Talk Radio.<ref name="purchase">{{cite web|url=http://www.talksport.co.uk/about|title=About|access-date=18 January 2007|publisher=talkSPORT|archive-date=20 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820090030/http://www.talksport.co.uk/about/|url-status=dead}}</ref> This led to a mass clearout of presenters including [[Nick Abbot]], [[Anna Raeburn]], [[Tommy Boyd]] and [[Peter Deeley]], with MacKenzie placing an emphasis on a sports-oriented programming schedule, including ''The Sportszone'' with [[Alan Parry]], [[Gary Newbon]], Tony Lockwood, [[Tom Watt (actor)|Tom Watt]], and former [[Heart North East|Century Radio]] sports editor Dave Roberts presenting the weekend edition of ''The Sports Breakfast''.

In late 1999, TalkCo, rebranded as The Wireless Group, announced a relaunch of Talk Radio to become the UK's first national commercial sports radio station called Talksport. The relaunch occurred at midnight on 17 January 2000, and was accompanied by the station moving from [[Oxford Street]] to a new studio at Hatfields on the [[South Bank]] of the [[River Thames]]. Now mainly dedicated to sport, the programming lineup was drastically altered, beginning with ''The Sports Breakfast'' show; this was followed by a mid-morning motoring show called ''The Car Guys'', with further sports programming in the afternoon and evening.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

Most of the station's talk show presenters were ousted at the time, including ''The Big Boys Breakfast'' with [[David Banks (journalist)|David Banks]] and [[Nick Ferrari]], with only James Whale, Ian Collins and Mike Dickin surviving. To complement its new format, Talksport purchased the rights to broadcast [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] matches in the [[UEFA Champions League]], the [[FA Cup]], [[England national football team|England football internationals]], [[UEFA Cup]], [[England cricket team|England]]'s winter cricket tours to [[South Africa]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Pakistan]], and [[India]], [[British & Irish Lions]] tours to South Africa and New Zealand, and rights to the [[Super League]], [[Rugby League World Cup]], and world title [[boxing]] fights.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

The new line-up involved a number of presenters and commentators, including [[Alan Brazil]], [[Mark Nicholas]], [[Chris Cowdrey]], [[Geoffrey Boycott]], [[Mike Parry]], [[Peter Shilton]], [[Brian Moore (commentator)|Brian Moore]], [[Brough Scott]], [[Tom Watt (actor)|Tom Watt]], [[Gary Newbon]], [[Ian Darke]], [[Tony Banks, Baron Stratford|Tony Banks]], and [[Alvin Martin]].

Approximately 39 hours of non-sports programming still remained on the schedule as of March 2012, including an overnight show hosted by [[Mike Graham (journalist)|Mike Graham]], and [[George Galloway]]'s ''[[The Mother of All Talk Shows]]'' on Friday evenings.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oakes |first=Omar |date=8 February 2016 |title=UTV names George Galloway and Paul Ross among TalkRadio presenters |url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/utv-names-george-galloway-paul-ross-among-talkradio-presenters/1382571 |accessdate=5 April 2016 |work=Campaign Live}}</ref> On 7 March, it was announced that month that Talksport would discontinue or reformat its remaining non-sport programming, considering it an "exciting yet natural next step" for the station, and citing opportunities to provide more coverage of American sport during its overnight lineup. Galloway was dropped, while Graham's show pivoted to primarily discussing sport.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Plunkett |first1=John |date=7 March 2012 |title=Talksport to axe all non-sports content |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/mar/07/talksport-axe-non-sports-content |access-date=9 November 2018 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

On 25 June 2016, [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s [[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp]] announced that it was acquiring the parent Wireless Group company for $296 million.<ref name="wsj">{{cite news |last=Gallivan |first=Rory |date=25 June 2016 |title=News Corp Buys Wireless Group for $296 Million |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/news-corp-buys-wireless-groups-talksport-for-290-million-1467290471 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal}}</ref>

===Expansion of the Talk brand===
Sound Digital's successful bid for second national commercial DAB multiplex in 2016 also saw the return of [[Talkradio]], as well as [[Virgin Radio UK|Virgin Radio]] and the creation of Talksport 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/02/digital-two-applications-published-by-ofcom/|title=Digital Two applications published by Ofcom|date=3 February 2015|publisher=Radio Today}}</ref> On 25 June 2016, [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s [[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp]] announced that it was acquiring the parent Wireless Group company for $296 million.<ref name="wsj"/> Since June 2020 it has also produced sports bulletins for [[Times Radio]]. In 2022 a televised version of TalkRadio launched on [[TalkTV (British TV channel)|TV]].

==Programming history==
Talksport and Talksport 2 hold exclusive and non-exclusive rights to various sports{{which|date=February 2023}} in the UK.

* May 2001: Talksport secured rights to broadcast [[Premier League]] games for the first time. The [[Radio Authority]] granted the station permission to broadcast games involving [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], and [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] on their London transmitters only.<ref>[http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/109660/MEDIA-BRIEFS-Premiership-games-live-Talksport MEDIA BRIEFS: Premiership games live on Talksport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323125721/http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/109660/MEDIA-BRIEFS-Premiership-games-live-Talksport |date=23 March 2012 }} PR Week, 4 May 2001</ref> Later, Talksport also secured similar deals with [[Everton F.C.|Everton]], [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] for their transmitters in [[Greater Manchester]], [[Merseyside]], and [[Lancashire]] following approval from the [[Radio Authority]]. The station also had the ability to split their transmitters in the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] for games involving [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], but this was never utilised.
* December 2002: Talksport announced plans for the station's first ever music show. An easy listening music show entitled ''Champagne & Roses'' with [[Gerald Harper]], was broadcast each Saturday evening. The show was axed after less than six months.<ref name="talksport2">[http://www.talksport1089.com/talksporthistory2003.html talkSPORT Station History – 2003] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101210415/http://www.talksport1089.com/talksporthistory2003.html |date=1 November 2010 }} talkSPORT1089.co.uk</ref>
* June 2004: Talksport broadcast their first international football tournament officially. [[Euro 2004]] from Portugal was broadcast live on Talksport with commentary of various matches, including the final, from [[Jim Proudfoot]] and [[Alvin Martin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/talksport-in-legal-row-with-bbc-over-euro-2004-rights/|title=TalkSport in legal row with BBC over Euro 2004 rights|first=Wale|last=Azeez|date=17 June 2004|website=Press Gazette}}</ref>
* June 2006: the station broadcast the 2006 World Cup, with live match commentary of all 64 matches in Germany. Commentary was provided by [[Jim Proudfoot]], Chris Cooper, Nigel Pearson, Ian Danter, Tim White, and Geoff Peters with punditry from [[Alvin Martin]], [[Rodney Marsh (footballer)|Rodney Marsh]], [[Gary Stevens (footballer, born 1962)|Gary Stevens]], [[Jason Cundy]], and [[Micky Quinn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infrontsports.com/news/2005/03/infront-signs-2006-fifa-world-cup%E2%84%A2-radio-agreement-with-talksport-uk/|title=Infront signs 2006 FIFA World Cup radio agreement with talkSPORT UK – Infront Sports & Media AG}}</ref>
* August 2006: Former [[Sky Sports]] presenter [[Kelly Cates|Kelly Dalglish]] became the first female sports presenter on Talksport, hosting Monday's edition of ''Kick-Off'' alongside [[Gabriele Marcotti]] and [[Jason Cundy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=35234&sectioncode=1|title=Sky Sports' Kelly Dalglish joins Talksport|publisher=Press Gazette|date=11 August 2006|access-date=18 November 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710011208/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=35234&sectioncode=1|archive-date=10 July 2009}}</ref>
* 10 October 2006: Talksport becomes the first national commercial radio broadcaster to win Premier League commentary rights. Talksport wins a package that allows it to broadcast the second choice Saturday afternoon games that kick off at 3pm, with the BBC getting first pick.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/oct/10/radio.sport|title=TalkSport wins Premiership rights|first=Julia|last=Day|date=10 October 2006|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>
* April 2009: [[Russell Brand]] and [[Noel Gallagher]] were signed by Talksport to present a one-off football talk show on 19 April 2009.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8000785.stm Russell Brand returning to radio] BBC News, 15 April 2009</ref> It was only a few months after Brand resigned from [[BBC Radio 2]] in the wake of the uproar over the "[[The Russell Brand Show prank calls row|Sachsgate]]" affair.
* February 2010: Talksport gained more Premier League football in the latest radio bidding wars. Whilst relinquishing their 3pm package to football newcomers [[Absolute Radio]], they won two packages from [[BBC Radio 5 Live]]. They took over the national radio rights to broadcast the late kick-off every Saturday evening from the Premier League (usually kicking off at 5:30pm), and the early Sunday games (before 3pm). This agreement covered the 2010–11 to 2012–13 [[Premier League]] seasons<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/feb/18/bbc-football-radio-commentary BBC radio loses third of live Premier League matches] guardian.co.uk, 18 February 2010</ref>
* June 2010: Talksport broadcast the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]], with live match commentary of all 64 matches in South Africa. Commentary was provided by [[Jim Proudfoot]], Ian Danter, Nigel Pearson, [[John Rawling]], and Graham Beecroft with punditry from [[Alvin Martin]], [[Stan Collymore]], [[Ray Parlour]], [[Bobby Gould]], [[Tony Cascarino]], [[Lawrie Sanchez]], and [[Micky Quinn]]
* September 2011: Talksport broadcast the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]], with exclusive commentary of all 48 matches in New Zealand. Commentary was provided by [[John Taylor (rugby union born 1945)|John Taylor]], Rupert Bell, John Anderson, Russell Hargreaves and Andrew McKenna with punditry from [[Brian Moore (rugby union)|Brian Moore]], [[Jeff Probyn]], [[David Campese]], [[Chris Sheasby]], [[Michael Owen (rugby union)|Michael Owen]], [[Scott Quinnell]], [[Gavin Hastings]], and [[Paul Wallace (rugby union)|Paul Wallace]], with presentation from [[Mark Saggers]] and Mike Bovill. Additional reporting from Roger Hughes, David Brady, and Stuart Cameron<ref>[http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/08/talksport-unveils-rugby-world-cup-plan/ talkSPORT unveil Rugby World Cup plan] Radio Today, 8 August 2011</ref>
* June 2012: Talksport broadcast [[Euro 2012]], with live commentary of all 31 matches in Poland and Ukraine. Commentary was provided by [[Sam Matterface]], John Roder, Nigel Pearson and Ian Danter, with punditry from [[Stan Collymore]], [[Alvin Martin]], [[Ray Parlour]], [[Matt Holland]] and [[Andy Gray (footballer, born 1955)|Andy Gray]] with presentation from [[Adrian Durham]], [[Mark Saggers]] and [[Richard Keys]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boycerecruitment.co.uk/every-euro-2012-match-to-be-broadcast-on-talksport/|title=Every Euro 2012 match to be broadcast on talkSPORT|date=3 January 2012|website=Boyce Recruitment}}</ref>
* July 2012: Talksport secured a joint six-year deal with [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] to broadcast live commentaries from the [[FA Cup]], [[FA Community Shield|Community Shield]] and [[England national football team|England]] friendly internationals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press.talksport.co.uk/post/28056259796/talksport-signs-agreement-with-football-association-to|title=talkSPORT SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION TO BROADCAST FA CUP WORLDWIDE UNTIL 2018|date=16 May 2013|url-status=dead|website=TalkSport PR release|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516231204/http://press.talksport.co.uk/post/28056259796/talksport-signs-agreement-with-football-association-to|archive-date=16 May 2013}}</ref>
* August 2012: Talksport secure a deal to become an official broadcaster of the [[Aviva Premiership]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/|title=Premiership Rugby &#124;|website=Premiership Rugby}}</ref> The deal enables Talksport to broadcast live commentary of selected matches throughout the season either on-air or online.
* November 2012: Talksport secured exclusive broadcast rights in the UK to the [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/nov/07/talksport-lions-australia-tour |title=TalkSport snaps up radio rights to Lions' Australia tour |access-date=4 February 2013 |work=The Guardian |first=John |last=Plunkett |date=5 November 2012}}</ref>
* June 2014: Talksport broadcast the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], with live commentary of all 64 matches in Brazil. Commentary was provided by [[Jim Proudfoot]], [[Alan Parry]], [[Gary Taphouse]], Nigel Pearson, John Anderson, Andrew McKenna and Richard Connelly with punditry from [[Stan Collymore]], [[Stuart Pearce]], [[Alvin Martin]], [[Ray Parlour]], [[Matt Holland]], [[Micky Quinn]] and [[Alan Curbishley]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/talksport-wins-rights-brazil-world-cup/1221092|title=TalkSport wins rights to Brazil World Cup|website=www.campaignlive.co.uk}}</ref>
* March 2016: Talksport 2 launches, a station dedicated to live sports commentaries and specialist programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-2-announces-launch-date-160129182995|title=talkSPORT 2 announces launch date|date=29 January 2016}}</ref>
* May 2016: Talksport and Talksport 2 are awarded the right to broadcast three [[Premier League]] UK live audio packages for the next three football seasons, starting with the 2016/17 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-broadcast-more-english-premier-league-coverage-ever-160520196679|title=talkSPORT to broadcast more English Premier League coverage than ever before|date=20 May 2016}}</ref>
* June 2016: Talksport and Talksport 2 broadcast [[Euro 2016]], with commentary of all 51 matches. Commentary was provided by [[Jim Proudfoot]], [[Alan Parry]], [[Gary Taphouse]], Ian Danter, Nigel Pearson, John Anderson, Ian Abrahams and Alex Crook, and punditry from [[Stan Collymore]], [[Stuart Pearce]], [[Joey Barton]], [[Matt Holland]], [[Ray Wilkins]], [[Keith Gillespie]], [[Danny Gabbidon]], [[Michael Gray (footballer)|Michael Gray]], [[Alvin Martin]], [[Danny Higginbotham]] and [[Micky Quinn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-announces-presenter-team-euro-2016-160516195987|title=talkSPORT announces presenter team for Euro 2016|date=16 May 2016}}</ref>
* May 2017: Talksport secures exclusive national radio rights to the [[English Football League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/efl-new-radio-rights-deals-to-maximise-broadcast-coverage-for-clubs-and-competitions/|title=EFL: New radio rights deals to maximise broadcast coverage for clubs and competitions|website=www.efl.com}}</ref> It gives them the ability to broadcast up to up 110 EFL fixtures a season for three years until the end of the 2019/2020 season.
* June 2017: Talksport and Talksport 2 broadcast exclusive commentary of the [[2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-names-its-squad-british-and-irish-lions-tour-170329233220|title=talkSPORT names its squad for British and Irish Lions tour|date=29 March 2017}}</ref>
* April 2018: Talksport and Talksport 2 secure exclusive broadcast rights to England's winter tours of Sri Lanka and the West Indies.<ref name="bbc.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43807117|title=TalkSport take cricket rights from BBC|work=BBC News|date=18 April 2018}}</ref>
* April 2019: Talksport and Talksport 2 win three of the four Saturday UK radio rights packages for the Premier League .<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/522119/talksport-live-premier-league-saturday/|title=talkSPORT becomes go-to place for live Premier League action on Saturdays|date=3 April 2019}}</ref>
* April 2020: [[Laura Woods (English presenter)|Laura Woods]] becomes the new lead presenter of ''Sports Breakfast'', taking over from Alan Brazil, who moves to two days a week.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/688405/talksport-laura-woods-new-lead-breakfast-show-host-alan-brazil-new-bigger/|title=talkSPORT confirm signing of Laura Woods as new lead Breakfast Show host|date=30 March 2020}}</ref>
* May 2022: [[Mark Goldbridge]], the founder, owner and main host of the football YouTube channel ''The United Stand'' becomes presenter of a late night show.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The reason why Mark Goldbridge joining hands with Talksport is surprising – Thick Accent |date=14 May 2022 |url=https://www.thickaccent.com/2022/05/14/the-reason-why-mark-goldbridge-joining-talksport-is-surprising/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* December 2023: Former [[Sky Sports]] presenter [[Jeff Stelling]] begins hosting Talksport Breakfast on Mondays and Tuesdays. Alan Brazil begins hosting the breakfast show three days a week instead of two.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.co.uk/latest-news/jeff-stelling-joins-talksport-breakfast-show-as-presenter-from-december/|title=Jeff Stelling joins talkSPORT Breakfast|first=Libby|last=Darcy|date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

==Broadcast==
Broadcast from [[London]] to the UK and Ireland, Talksport is the only British radio station broadcasting sporting discussions and commentaries 24 hours a day, having dropped 39 hours of weekly non-sports content on 2 April 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/mar/07/talksport-axe-non-sports-content|title=TalkSport to axe all non-sports content|first=John|last=Plunkett|date=7 March 2012|via=The Guardian}}</ref> According to the [[RAJAR]] audience figures as of December 2022, Talksport's audience is around 2.9 million listeners per week. Talksport 2 has an audience of around 344,000 listeners per week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

The 1089 and 1053&nbsp;kHz [[medium wave]] frequencies were previously used by [[BBC Radio 1]] between November 1978 and June 1994. Talksport's transmission from the high-power [[Droitwich Transmitting Station]] on 1053&nbsp;kHz can also be received in parts of Europe.<ref>https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-3-4-weeks/173863-talksport---proposal-to-reduce-am-coverage/associated-documents/secondary-documents/talksport-broadcasting-licence.pdf?v=324314</ref> In December 2024, Talksport announced that seven of its 18 AM transmitters are set to close, resulting in reducing its AM coverage of the UK's population from 92% to 88.9%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/12/talksport-asks-to-turn-off-seven-of-its-18-am-radio-transmitters-across-the-uk/|title=talkSPORT asks to turn off seven of its 18 AM radio transmitters across the UK|date=2 December 2024}}</ref>

In a number of areas, particularly in areas where the signal from the main 1089 and 1053 [[kHz]] transmitters overlap with each other, Talksport operates a number of filler transmitters on different frequencies:
* 1071&nbsp;kHz: [[Tyne and Wear]]
* 1107&nbsp;kHz: [[Hampshire]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[Merseyside]]

Talksport is also transmitted across the UK [[Digital radio in the United Kingdom|digitally]] via [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] [[digital radio]], [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]], [[Sky (UK and Ireland)|Sky]], [[Virgin Media]] and [[Freesat]]. Talksport is also streamed online and available for any [[Internet]] connected devices; however, due to rights restrictions on live coverage, some live sport commentaries are not available online.

Since August 2011, several shows on Talksport have been available on [[Sirius XM]] satellite radio in the US and Canada.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}}

During the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], Talksport was available on DAB digital radio in some German cities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mysnip.de/forum-archiv/thema-8773-417362/_DAB_+Hessen+_12C__+NEU++engl_+Sport+Kanal.html|title=[DAB] Hessen (12C): NEU engl. Sport Kanal – Radioforum|work=Mysnip.de – Forenarchiv|access-date=13 March 2018|language=de|archive-date=14 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042323/https://www.mysnip.de/forum-archiv/thema-8773-417362/_DAB_+Hessen+_12C__+NEU++engl_+Sport+Kanal.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The station also partnered with [[Pure (company)|Pure]] to sell a Talksport-branded Pure One digital radio receiver.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-06-13 |title=Digital talkSPORT in Germany |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2006/06/digital-talksport-in-germany/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=RadioToday |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Sister stations==
===Talksport 2===
The new station launched on 15 March 2016 as part of a Sound Digital's successful bid for second national commercial DAB multiplex. The launch date coincided with the opening day of the 2016 [[Cheltenham Festival]]. Former Talksport chief executive [[Kelvin MacKenzie]] had proposed a rival sports station as part of Listen2Digital's opposing bid for the second national commercial DAB multiplex.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/09/talksport-founder-kelvin-mackenzie-rival-sports-radio|title=TalkSport founder Kelvin MacKenzie in bid to launch rival station|first=John|last=Plunkett|date=9 February 2015|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

Talksport 2 is a 24-hour sports station which focuses on a broad range of live sporting action from the UK and around the world and includes rugby, cricket, tennis, golf, football and horse racing, plus US sport. On its first day, Talksport 2 broadcast commentary of India v New Zealand in the [[ICC World Twenty20]], [[Atlético Madrid]] v [[PSV Eindhoven]] in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and [[Indian Wells Masters]] tennis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Talksport 2 announce launch date|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-2-announces-launch-date-160129182995|website=talksport.com|date=29 January 2016|publisher=talksport|access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref> On 9 June 2020 talkSPORT 2 switched from DAB Mono to DAB+ Stereo to make Room for Times Radio.

In its first two years on air, Talksport 2 acquired broadcast rights to the [[Aviva Premiership]], [[Super League]], [[ATP World Tour Masters 1000]], [[French Open]], [[ICC World Twenty20]], [[NatWest t20 Blast]], [[Royal London One-Day Cup]], [[Indian Premier League]], [[WGC Match Play]], [[La Liga]], [[MotoGP]], [[ICC Champions Trophy]], Premier League, English Football League, Champions League and Europa League.

It has broadcast specialist programming dedicated to the Football League, [[La Liga]], European football, horse racing rugby league, rugby union, boxing, cricket, tennis, [[NBA]], US sport, and golf.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/|title=talkSPORT|website=talkSPORT}}</ref>

From January 2019, Talksport 2 was re-positioned as a rolling sports news and live sport station.

As of September 2023, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 376,000 listeners, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

===Talksport International===
Talksport is the global audio partner of the Premier League, which enables them to broadcast commentary of every Premier League match outside the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in several languages including English, Spanish and Mandarin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/license-talksports-content|title=Harness the power of the English Premier League|date=3 September 2013|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=25 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325225626/http://talksport.com/license-talksports-content|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Talksport International also broadcasts selected fixtures in the FA Cup, League Cup and provides commentaries for Amazon Music's [[Bundesliga]] coverage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/about|title=About|date=5 July 2013}}</ref>

As of December 2024, Talksport is available to stream in [[Australia]] on digital platforms run by [[NOVA Entertainment]].

==Other media==
* ''Soccer Bet'' was a short-lived 68-page weekly magazine which Talksport had hoped would appeal to football fans that enjoyed betting on games. It was designed in a smaller A5 format to make it easy for fans to carry and the launch was backed by a £500,000 promotional campaign. ''Soccer Bet'' lasted just two months before it was axed in October 2003 due to poor sales.<ref>[http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=24186&sectioncode=1 Own goal for Soccer Bet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412075138/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=24186&sectioncode=1 |date=12 April 2008 }} Press Gazette, 17 October 2003</ref>
* ''Talksport TV'' launched in October 2004 platform broadcasting for six hours a day on the [[Sky (UK & Ireland)|Sky Digital]] television platform aiming to catch listeners who had arrived home from work.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/sep/15/citynews.radio | work=Media Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media | first=Chris | last=Tryhorn | title=MacKenzie takes TalkSport to TV | date=15 September 2004}}</ref> The service amounted to little more than the simulcasting of TalkSport's broadcasters and pundits presenting the station's ''Drive Time'' and ''Kick Off'' programmes. The channel closed in 2005 following the takeover of Talksport by [[UTV Radio]].<ref>[http://www.talksport1089.com/talksportnews15.html talkSPORT Hand Back Television Licence to OFCOM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716191207/http://www.talksport1089.com/talksportnews15.html |date=16 July 2011 }} talksport1089.com, 11 August 2006</ref>
* Talk Radio was set to return to the airwaves as a station on [[DAB digital radio]] in 2008 after [[Ofcom]] awarded a second [[DAB digital radio]] national commercial multiplex to the [[4 Digital Group]] consortium led by [[Channel 4]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jul/06/channel4.radio| work=Media Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media | first=Ben | last=Dowell | title=Channel 4 wins radio multiplex bid | date=6 July 2007}}</ref> However, the station never launched after Channel 4 announced that it was abandoning its plans for digital radio stations<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/oct/14/radio-channel4 | work=guardian.co.uk|publisher=Guardian News and Media | first=John | last=Plunkett | title=4 Digital radio partners in crisis talks | date=14 October 2008}}</ref>
* ''Talksport Magazine'' launched in May 2008 as a weekly online-only digital publication to extend the station's brand beyond the radio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.3389|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503235834/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.3389|url-status=dead|title=Radio Today|archivedate=3 May 2012}}</ref> The magazine was integrated into the newly relaunched Talksport website in 2010<ref>[http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/sports-news/2010-07-26/talksportcouk-men-who-talk-sport talkSPORT.co.uk – For men who like to talk sport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230014037/http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/sports-news/2010-07-26/talksportcouk-men-who-talk-sport |date=30 December 2010 }} talkSPORT, 26 July 2010</ref>
* ''[[Sport (UK magazine)|Sport]]'' was targeted at the affluent male and hand distributed in locations across the country including London mainline and tube stations. It was also available at many hotels, gyms and airports<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.utvpitch.co.uk/about/sport-magazine/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329122126/http://www.utvpitch.co.uk/about/sport-magazine/|url-status=dead|title=Sport Magazine|archivedate=29 March 2010}}</ref>

===Books, DVDs, and games===
* '''Talksport Road Trip''' is a [[DVD]] including exclusive footage of the English team and a host of celebrity interviews at the [[2006 World Cup]] released in 2006<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000GNOG9M talkSPORT Road Trip (DVD)] Amazon.co.uk</ref>
* '''Talksport Legends & Anthems''' is a three-[[CD]] package, released in 2009, featuring 40 tracks by artists such as [[The Who]], [[The Cure]], [[The Killers]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Rod Stewart]], and [[Elton John]] on two of the discs as well as a bonus CD with out-takes and highlights of Talksport<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002P7HYNM talkSPORT – Legends & Anthems (CD)] Amazon.co.uk</ref>
* '''Ten Years of Talksport''' is a book describing the station's history. Originally released in 2009, an updated version of the book including two new chapters was released in 2011
* '''The Talksport Book of World Cup Banter''' – Released in 2010, this is a book of football facts about the [[FIFA World Cup]]<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1847378781 The Talksport Book of World Cup Banter: All the Ammo You Need to Settle Any Argument] Amazon.co.uk</ref>
* '''The TalkSport Book of Cricket's Best Ever Sledges''' features contributions from Talksport presenters [[Darren Gough]] and [[Ronnie Irani]] among others, recounting [[Sledging (cricket)|'sledging']]. Released in 2010<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0857200925 Why Are You So Fat?: The TalkSPORT Book of Cricket's Best Ever Sledges] Amazon.co.uk</ref>
* '''TalkSPORT Clash Of The Titans''' is a game created by [[Mat Dickie]] (MDickie), It's not available on his download page anymore but can still be downloaded on web.archive.org<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mdickie.com/downloads.htm|title=MDickie.com|date=27 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927050558/http://mdickie.com/downloads.htm|archive-date=27 September 2009}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{criticism section|date=January 2025}}
* June 2000: It was revealed that Talksport had been broadcasting its live commentaries of matches at [[Euro 2000]] from television monitors rather than from each of the stadia, due to the lack of available broadcast rights.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/dec/05/broadcasting1 |work=The Guardian |first=Jason |last=Deans |title=TalkSport hails victory in sports row |date=5 December 2000}}</ref> Talksport's commentary team included [[Alan Parry]], [[Jim Proudfoot]], Mark Tompkins, [[Alvin Martin]] and [[Frank Stapleton]].{{cn|date=January 2025}}
* April 2002: [[Tommy Boyd]] and his production team were dismissed from Talksport after a call from someone who wanted to shoot the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Royal Family]] went through on air. Boyd went on record that he "did not share the views" of the caller.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/12/broadcasting1 |title=DJ fired after royal death threat |last=Hodgson |first=Jessica |date=12 April 2002 |access-date=16 August 2008 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
* June 2002: Talksport broadcast unofficial coverage of the [[2002 World Cup]] taking place in [[Japan]] and [[South Korea]]. The station flagged up its inability to broadcast live from the stadia, taking out full page advertisements in national newspapers containing the tag line "It's unauthorised. It's unofficial. And it's brilliant." [[Jim Proudfoot]] and [[Alvin Martin]] were Talksport's main commentary team from its studios in London.<ref>[http://www.talksport1089.com/talksporthistory2002.html talkSPORT Station History – 2002] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719073624/http://www.talksport1089.com/talksporthistory2002.html |date=19 July 2015 }} talksport1089.com</ref>
* February 2003: Talksport received over 200 complaints for giving a platform to the controversial Muslim extremist cleric [[Abu Hamza al-Masri|Abu Hamza]]. Hamza and his aides were invited into the station to contribute to a religious debate on ''The [[James Whale (presenter)|James Whale]] Show'', alongside other Christian, Jewish, and Muslim delegates. On the night of the live broadcast, 24 February, a mass of protesters gather outside the station's London studios. Despite this, both Whale and head of programming Bill Ridley defended the station for having invited Hamza onto the programme.<ref name="talksport2"/>
* March 2004: [[Alan Brazil]] was dismissed by Talksport when, after spending three days at the [[Cheltenham Festival]], he subsequently failed to show up to present ''The Sports Breakfast'' on Friday 19 March. He was reinstated less than three weeks later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/apr/06/radio?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |work=The Guardian |first=Jason |last=Deans |title=Brazil reinstated by TalkSport |date=6 April 2004}}</ref>
* May 2006: Alan Brazil was reportedly given three months' notice by Talksport after a bust-up with the station's management.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/may/18/radio.sport?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |work=The Guardian |first=John |last=Plunkett |title=Brazil out of the World Cup |date=18 May 2006}}</ref> Brazil and Talksport management held talks less than two months later, and Brazil signed a new long-term contract with the station.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/jul/05/radio?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |work=The Guardian |first=Ben |last=Dowell |title=Brazil back in World Cup |date=5 July 2006}}</ref>
* June 2006: Alan Brazil got in trouble with [[Ofcom]] for referring to [[Japanese (people)|Japanese]] people as "the [[nip]]s" during the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] in [[Germany]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/aug/07/radio1?commentpage=1|title=TalkSport rapped for 'derogatory' comment|last=Tryhorn|first=Chris|date=7 August 2006|access-date=16 August 2008|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
* August 2007: [[Mike Mendoza (broadcaster)|Mike Mendoza]] and [[Garry Bushell]] made derogatory comments about [[homosexual|gay]] people, and the station was subsequently censured by regulator Ofcom.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6955065.stm |title=Talksport rapped over gay jibes |work=BBC News |date=20 August 2007 |access-date=6 May 2008}}</ref>
* May 2008: James Whale was dismissed by Talksport after twice urging listeners to vote for [[Boris Johnson]] in the [[2008 London mayoral election]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7385370.stm|title=Radio host James Whale is sacked |work=BBC News |date=6 May 2008 |access-date=6 May 2008}}</ref> The station was subsequently fined £20,000 by Ofcom in December 2008.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
* November 2008: Presenter [[Jon Gaunt]] was dismissed for repeatedly calling a local councillor a "[[Nazi]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3416778/Radio-talk-show-host-John-Gaunt--suspending-after-Nazi-comment.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113093633/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3416778/Radio-talk-show-host-John-Gaunt--suspending-after-Nazi-comment.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2008 |title=Gaunt Suspended For "Nazi" Slur |work=The Telegraph |date=18 November 2008 |access-date=18 November 2008 |first1=Nicole |last1=Martin}}</ref> Gaunt has since sought legal action for unfair dismissal, but any potential case has yet to go to court.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jan/20/john-gaunt-sue-talksport Jon Gaunt still pursuing legal action against TalkSport] ''The Guardian'', 20 January 2009</ref>{{needs update|date=January 2025}}
* November 2008: Rod Lucas was dropped by Talksport, and the company stated they had "no plans to use him in the immediate future" after the membership list of the [[British National Party|BNP]] which was leaked on a [[Google]] blog named him as one of its members.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3484612/Rod-Lucas-dropped-by-TalkSPORT-after-BNP-links-emerge.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3484612/Rod-Lucas-dropped-by-TalkSPORT-after-BNP-links-emerge.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rod Lucas dropped by Talksport |work=The Telegraph |date=19 November 2008 |access-date=19 November 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The station clarified that this was not a sacking, for Lucas was only a temporary member of staff. The presenter himself said that his membership of the party was part of a covert research project.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/19/talksport DJ named on BNP member list joined to research story] ''The Guardian'', 19 November 2008</ref>
* February 2011: Talksport hired former [[Sky Sports]] commentators [[Andy Gray (footballer born 1955)|Andy Gray]] and [[Richard Keys]] (Gray had also been a pundit for the station) a fortnight after the pair were dismissed from Sky Sports for being at the centre of a [[Sian Massey#Sexism controversy|sexism controversy]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12396699 |work=BBC News |title=Andy Gray and Richard Keys move to Talksport |date=8 February 2011}}</ref>
* April 2017: Ofcom upheld complaints against Mike Parry and Mike Graham for comments made on their daytime show the previous December, in which they laughed while telling anecdotes about sexual harassment by former colleagues at the ''[[Daily Express]]''. Talksport said in its statement that the two presenters were "laughing at the lack of action" against sexual harassment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Roy |title=The Two Mikes in Ofcom breach at talkSPORT |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/04/the-two-mikes-in-ofcom-breach-at-talksport/ |access-date=4 October 2017 |work=Radio Today |date=3 April 2017}}</ref>
* August 2021: A caller to ''The Sports Bar'' said that Tottenham Hotspur owner [[Daniel Levy (businessman)|Daniel Levy]] would not let [[Harry Kane]] leave for free because Levy is Jewish. The remark was not heard on the radio due to a tape delay to avoid offensive callers but was heard on a YouTube simulcast. Talksport apologised and suspended their simulcast until a delay could be enabled.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Luke |title=Tottenham 'appalled' with antisemitic remark aimed at Daniel Levy on talkSPORT |url=https://theathletic.com/news/tottenham-appalled-with-antisemitic-remark-aimed-at-daniel-levy-on-talksport/GoXLzmCwYkbT |access-date=4 August 2021 |work=The Athletic |date=4 August 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Radio|English football}}
* {{Official website}}

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