Absolute Radio’s Rock n Roll Football commentary will be heard on FM in London next season, as Ian Wright continues at the station.
Sky Sports has also extended its sponsorship of the show for a further 12 months.
Absolute Radio holds the rights to exclusively broadcast 32 Barclays Premier League matches in the traditional 3pm Saturday slot.
“The decision to take football commentary to FM follows the success Absolute Radio enjoyed last summer with live Euro 2012 coverage on FM,” the station said. “The activity contributed to record London listening for the station.”
The show’s line-up, lead by Ian Wright, will be joined by a host of new co-commentators, including Mark Bright and PFA Chairman Clarke Carlisle, who will cover the first two featured matches on Rock N Roll Football.
Russ Williams has all the pre-match build-up from 1.30pm, and then lead commentator Jim Proudfoot broadcasts live from featured matches at 3pm each week.
From 5pm it’s Rock N Roll Football with Ian Wright and comedian Ian Stone, with post-match entertainment, big match reaction from the teams, fans, celebrities and football friends on the phone and via twitter @RnRFootball.
Ian Wright has also just announced he’ll be joining BBC Radio 5 live to host 606 each Sunday – so won’t clash with his gig at Absolute.
Rock N Roll Football is produced by Independent production Company, USP Content which is also responsible for BBC Radio 5 live’s Formula One coverage as well as a raft of other sports. Owner and Chief Executive Rob Jones says: “We’ve worked with the Absolute Radio team for three years and once again we’re delighted to be part of the most exciting and entertaining football show on commercial radio.”
Absolute Radio’s Content Director Tony Moorey said “The decision to take our live and exclusive Barclays Premier League commentary to FM indicates our ambition to grow the Rock N Roll Football brand further, whilst creating an even closer partnership with Sky Sports. ”
Sky has also bankrolled a six-figure investment into sponsorship of Absolute Radio’s sports news bulletins that run throughout the day. This is a brand new property for Sky where they will promote their pioneering Sky Go service.
The deal was brokered by Charlie Yeates, Board Director of Trading at Mediacom and Emma Smyth, Head of Sponsorship at Absolute Radio and will be managed by The Promotions Factory.
Coverage will kick off with live and exclusive Barclays Premier League commentary of West Ham v Cardiff City on Saturday 17th August on Absolute Radio.