talkSPORT Threatens To Sue BBC Over Football Claims

BBC Radio Five Live has been forced to withdraw a promotional trailer claiming it had exclusive broadcast rights for the Euro 2004 tournament, following the threat of legal action from Kelvin MacKenzie’s rival talkSPORT station.

MacKenzie threatened to sue the BBC after making the claim relating to Five Live’s coverage of the event, despite the fact that UEFA had granted talkSPORT official commentary rights and broadcast status.

A statement from the Wireless Group-owned broadcaster said: “The lawyers say the trailer represented a serious malicious falsehood which caused talkSPORT grave financial damage. The purchasing of these rights and promotion of them has been a substantial investment.”

It added: “talkSPORT has been promoting its coverage as official broadcaster of the tournament and the trailer is defamatory by claiming talkSPORT has no rights.”

The BBC has vowed not to repeat the claims in any more trailers, but talkSPORT said it would still seek damages from the Corporation as it also owns radio rights to coverage of Euro 2004 matches and commentary.

talkSPORT will provide live match commentary on the full range of Euro 2004 fixtures. Radio Five Live will also be covering the England versus France game, but will begin its live Euro 2004 commentary tomorrow, when Portugal take on Greece in the championship’s opening game.

MacKenzie’s Wireless Group is also currently suing radio audience research body RAJAR for £66 million in damages for revenues it claims have been lost due to “flaws” in the company’s research (see MacKenzie To Claim £66 Million In Damages From RAJAR).

Wireless Group: 020 7269 7180

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