talkSPORT frequency & live stream

talkSPORT is the United Kingdom’s biggest commercial sports radio station, broadcasting sports news, opinionated talk shows, phone-ins and live commentary nationwide. It is owned by News UK through its Wireless division.

History

The station began on 14 February 1995 as Talk Radio UK, a national speech station on the former Radio 1 medium wave frequencies. After its acquisition by a group led by Kelvin MacKenzie, it was relaunched as talkSPORT on 17 January 2000, refocusing entirely on sport. Its parent company later became UTV Media and then the Wireless Group, which News UK, the British arm of News Corp, acquired in 2016. A digital sister station, talkSPORT 2, launched the same year to carry additional live sport.

Format and programming

talkSPORT’s schedule is dominated by football, with robust debate, phone-ins and interviews across breakfast, mid-morning and drivetime shows fronted by former players and outspoken presenters. The station holds rights to live Premier League football commentary alongside coverage of other competitions, boxing, cricket and racing. Its provocative, fan-oriented style distinguishes it from the BBC’s sports coverage, and its programming is increasingly distributed as video clips and podcasts.

Reach

The station broadcasts nationally on medium wave frequencies of 1053 and 1089 kHz and on DAB digital radio, and streams online and through its app. It reaches millions of listeners each week, and international commentary services have carried its English-language Premier League coverage to audiences abroad.

Significance

talkSPORT proved that a national commercial speech station could succeed in the UK by focusing on sport, and it remains the principal commercial rival to BBC Radio 5 Live. Within News UK it anchors a broader sports audio and digital operation, and its blend of live rights and combative talk has shaped the sound of British sports radio.

Sources

• Official site: https://www.talksport.com
• Radio Browser: https://www.radio-browser.info

talkSPORT: frequently asked questions

What frequency is talkSPORT on?

talkSPORT broadcasts on medium wave (AM) on 1089 kHz and 1053 kHz across most of the UK, with 1071 kHz and 1107 kHz filling in some areas. It is also on national DAB digital radio and streams online and in the talkSPORT app.

Is talkSPORT on FM?

No. talkSPORT has no FM frequency — its analogue service is AM (medium wave) only, on 1089 kHz and 1053 kHz. For better sound, listen on DAB or stream it online.

What DAB channel is talkSPORT on?

talkSPORT is on the national Digital One multiplex: block 11D (222.064 MHz) across most of the UK and block 12A (223.936 MHz) in Scotland. You don't need to enter a frequency on a DAB radio — run a station scan and pick talkSPORT from the list.

How do I get talkSPORT in the car?

Tune the car radio to 1089 or 1053 on AM/MW, or choose talkSPORT from the station list if your car has DAB. You can also stream it from your phone.

Which country is talkSPORT from?

talkSPORT is a radio station from the United Kingdom, headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It broadcasts in English.

Who owns talkSPORT?

talkSPORT is owned by News UK (Wireless Group).

How can I listen to talkSPORT online?

You can stream talkSPORT live in your browser with the player on this page or on the official website, www.talksport.com — free, with no app or sign-up needed.

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