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.
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.