UK’s five most listened to sports radio shows

Radio shows remain essential for sports fans in the UK as they bridge the gap between events and audiences.

The UK is a nation that lives and breathes sport with football, rugby, cricket and other games sparking debates and discussion. While it is undeniable that television steals the limelight, sports radio remains a popular and effective medium for keeping up with the latest in sport.

As a fan of sport, you know that you value any medium that allows you to stay connected to the action going on in your favourite sport. This is why sports radio shows are important if you really want to stay updated on scores and the latest developments with expert opinions on many topics. Stick with us as we explore these popular radio shows and address the factors that are responsible for their popularity.

• 5 Live Sports

The 5 Live Sports broadcast is a BBC Radio 5 Live show that covers live match commentaries, news and analysis, interviews with sports stars and phone-ins for a large variety of sports events. The show is broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live, the number one sports radio station in the UK, which has about 5 million listeners. It is very popular due to its live commentary on major sports events such as the Premier League and FA Cup.

Some factors that contribute to its popularity are the station’s presenters’ passion for sport and the interactive format with which they deliver sports analysis. The use of phone-ins and social media allows everyone to be a part of the discussion and share opinions, which we all love. The presenters on the show include:

• Mark Chapman
• Kelly Cates
• Steve Crossman
• Darren Fletcher: Former Manchester United and Scotland footballer.

You can listen to this show on the radio, online or through the BBC Sounds app. 5 Live’s sports app keeps you connected to the action, which is perfect for listeners planning out in-play bets at Betway Casino and sportsbook.

• Talksport Breakfast Show

The Talksport Breakfast Show covers a large variety of content, including breaking news, expert analysis, phone-ins, celebrity guests and humorous content, all revolving around sport. It is hosted on Talksport, one of the top sports radio stations in the UK, which broadcasts sports discussions 24 hours a day. The average weekly audience for the radio station is 3 million listeners, and most of this audience listens to the Breakfast Show.

As one of the most popular shows on Talksport, the quality of the cast of hosts is top-notch and includes:

• Alan Brazil: A former professional footballer and popular radio personality.   
• Ally McCoist: A Scottish football legend and well-known pundit.   
• Gabby Agbonlahor: Former Aston Villa striker.
• Ray Parlour: Former Arsenal midfielder.   
• Jeff Stelling: Former Soccer Saturday presenter.

You can listen to the show on the radio, online or through the Talksport app.

• Drivetime with Jim White

Drivetime with Jim White, also hosted on Talksport, is very popular among listeners due to White’s ability to connect with users using humour and relatability. He is very energetic and engaging, and his show encourages listener participation through phone-ins, social media interactions and text messages, which makes it interactive.

The show covers a wide range of sports, including rugby, cricket and motorsports, which is why millions of listeners tune in weekly for in-depth analysis and commentary regarding various sport. Drivetime often includes reports from various sporting events that keep you engaged and informed about unfolding stories.

• The Cricket Social

This is a niche sports show hosted on BBC Radio for cricket lovers, which includes live commentary, discussions and arguments all surrounding cricket.  Although it does not seem to be popular all year round, the audience seems to grow massively during the cricket season. Some of the hosts on the show are:

• Jonathan Agnew
• Michael Vaughan
• James Anderson
• Alastair Cook
• Kevin Pietersen

One reason that the show is so popular is that it follows a unique approach where instead of focusing solely on live commentary of cricket, it also covers trending topics, strategies and tactics, often involving expert commentary from former players

• Hawksbee & Jacobs

Hawksbee and Jacobs, hosted by Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobson on Talksport, is very popular for its unique blend of sports commentary, comedy and engaging interviews. The show airs every weekday from 1 PM to 4 PM and the hosts cover the day’s top stories and hidden gems in sport. It is very popular as one of the most original afternoon sports radio shows in the UK.

Conclusion

These shows have something special for you whether you’ve been a lifelong football fan or a cricket enthusiast. Join the fun and enjoy the excitement and camaraderie only sports radio can provide.