LONDON (Thursday, January 28, 2003) – Soccer Weekly, Inc. , America's premier producer of English language soccer talk sports radio, has acquired the exclusive US English language radio broadcast rights to the Barclaycard English Premier League Live for the remainder of the 2002/2003 season. The rights deal was negotiated by TWI Radio who produce the programs on behalf of the FAPL.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to bring the world’s most exciting and famous soccer league to the US airwaves,” said Soccer Weekly, Inc. President Nicholas Geber. “There is an enormous appetite here in the US for the Barclaycard English Premier League .” Said Steven Cohen, Soccer Weekly, Inc. CEO “I have personally followed this league for over 30 years so to be actively working with them whilst bringing the Premiership to an American audience is something we are very proud of and can’t wait to get started with.”
As part of Soccer Weekly, Inc.’s rights agreement it will produce a 45 minute pre game show prior to broadcasting the live play by play direct from England. The coverage will be augmented with exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with top players and coaches, and in-depth sports news and commentary. The program will launch on February 1st with coverage of Southampton vs. Manchester United.
We are delighted to welcome Soccer Weekly to our Live coverage of the most competitive football league in the World” says Carolyn Smyth, Head of Radio at TWI. “Soccer is developing fast across America especially after their success at last year’s World Cup in Japan and Korea. Bringing the Barclaycard English Premier League to America will no doubt increase the level of interest in the game but it also allows us to share its unmatched skill and intensity.
The broadcast will be carried nationally via the Sports Byline Radio Network which will provide distribution to a wide affiliate market, Sirius Satellite Radio and the American Forces Radio Network "We are thrilled to be working with Soccer Weekly, Inc. to distribute these great broadcasts," said Sports Byline USA President Darren K. Peck. "We know there is a tremendous passion for the Premier League here in the US and this will be extremely well received by our listeners."
About Soccer Weekly, Inc.
Launched in May 2002, Soccer Weekly, Inc. produces English language soccer related programming for radio broadcast in the US. It's flagship show, World Soccer Weekly, is the nation’s only syndicated regular English language sports talk show. Broadcast via the Sports Byline USA radio network, Sirius Satellite Radio and the American Forces Radio Network, World Soccer Weekly is the voice of the soccer fan in the United States. From Major League Soccer to the English Premier League to Europe, Mexico, Central and South America and beyond World Soccer Weekly covers all the world's best Soccer leagues and tournaments.
In March 2003, Soccer Weekly, Inc. and Arsenal Football Club will bring the most coveted trophies in English club football to the United States. The Premier League trophy and FA Cup will embark on a multi city US tour as part of its ongoing promotion of world soccer. www.worldsoccerweekly.com / www.soccerweeklyinc.com (310) 373-8372
Our Distribution Partner
Sports Byline USA is America's #1 Sports Talk Show. Now in its 14th year, Sports Byline USA has become the most popular radio sports talk network in the country. It's heard on nearly 200 radio stations and by 2.2 million listeners per week. Additionally, Sports Byline is heard internationally on 500 stations of the American Forces Network as well as in Canada and the Virgin Islands and Sirius Satellite Radio channel 123. www.sportsbyline.com
About TWI
TWI is the largest independent producer, packager and distributor of sports programmes in the world and produces 6000 hours of original programming each year for distribution to more than 200 territories. It is the programme making arm of Mark McCormack’s IMG and has production centres in London, Hong Kong, New Delhi, New York, Seoul and Sydney plus over 40 sales offices around the globe.
TWI's sports news agency collaboration with APTN, SNTV, serves 200 broadcasters world wide with a reach of 850 million and TWIi produces web sites for international brand names like Manchester United, the Chinese Premier League and the Indian Cricket Team.
TWI’s Features & Documentaries Division has a wide range of international successes under its belt including Century, a 13-part co-production with British Pathe, and the multi-award winning The Second World War in Colour, which has sold throughout the globe, and its documentary series Britain at War in Colour won the British Academy Award for Best Factual Series [BAFTA] in 2001.