talkSPORT wins exclusive rights to Rugby World Cup

TalkSPORT has won the exclusive UK radio rights to broadcast the Rugby World Cup 2011.

The station will broadcast live commentary of the tournament’s 48 matches, which will be aired in the early morning because of the time difference between the UK and host nation New Zealand.

The win will come as a blow to BBC Radio 5 Live after both stations broadcast the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

In February, talkSPORT won live commentary rights to broadcast Premier League football matches on Saturday afternoons and early on Sundays, increasing the number of live games it will air from 32 to 64 in a three-year deal beginning with the 2010-2011 season.

Absolute Radio also won Premier League broadcast rights to Saturday 3pm matches, with the BBC taking the remaining four rights packages.