Sky May Take Stake In Digital Football Radio Network

BSkyB is believed to be on the verge of announcing a deal which would see it take a minority stake in Radio First. This would be the first step in creating a national digital network based around Premiership football clubs and would see Radio First secure carriage for its planned network of football “fan radio stations” on Sky Digital. The possible deal, reported without source in the Financial Times today, is apparently likely to see BSkyB take a 20% stake in Radio First in exchange for carriage.

It is believed that many of Sky Digital’s 5 million customers use their equipment to receive digital radio, and in support of greater cross promotion between digital radio and TV, Sky bought a 20% stake in the Digital News Network earlier this year.

Sky’s association with Premiership Football was strengthened last year when it won the right to show matches on its channels in the bidding process held by the Premier League (see How The Premier League Will Cash-In On Kick-Offs).

BSkyB: 020 7705 3000 www.sky.com Radio First: 01273 384260 www.radiofirst.com

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