Radio station TalkSport follows in the steps of sister station Talk in launching a dedicated TV channel, rolling out across most major smart TV brands.
- TalkSport TV on LG, Samsung, Amazon Fire TV and other major platforms.
- Follows success of its YouTube channel.
News UK, owners of TalkSport, have unveiled a new free streaming service, partnering with LG Channels, FireTV, Apple TV, Google TV and from early February, Samsung TV Plus.
Smart TV viewers can access TalkSport’s sports coverage, opinion and debate for free as a ‘visual radio service’ with programmes live streamed from its studios. TalkSport TV will allow fans to watch shows featuring presenters Jeff Stelling, Ally McCoist, Alan Brazil, Shebahn Aherne, Jim White, Simon Jordan and more.
The rollout of the TalkSport visual radio service follows the success of its YouTube offer, which attracts 150 million monthly views.
The new service mirrors News UK’s previous endeavour with sister station Talk (formerly TalkRadio), which live streams its programmes on smart TVs. News UK had previously tried relaunching TalkRadio TV as TalkTV on traditional broadcast platforms. That venture ended in failure last year, with the service returning to streaming and radio only.
On Apple TV, Fire TV and Google TV, the TalkSport visual radio service is available through the new TalkSport app. On LG Channels and (from February) Samsung TV Plus, the service will appear alongside other channels in the channel list.
More streaming providers are due to onboard TalkSport’s new service in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, News UK hopes the arrival of TalkSport’s live TV stream will open up new commercial opportunities. It’s already signed up a number of ad partners, including Monzo who will sponsor TalkSport’s live transfer day coverage.
Corporate comment
Scott Taunton, EVP, President Broadcasting, News UK, said:
“TalkSport is one of the biggest sports media brands in the world, with audiences hungry for its brilliant presenters and pundits, breaking news and always-contentious opinion. Making TalkSport available through this raft of smart TV partnerships, broadcasting from our state-of-the-art audio-visual studios, underlines our commitment to innovate and drive a new chapter of growth as TalkSport celebrates its 25th birthday.”
By: Marc Thornham | Image: News UK