talkSPORT has appointed Abi Paterson as its new Head of Podcasts, with a focus on expanding visualised and on-demand sports content alongside its live radio output.
The newly created role comes as the station prepares for a major year of additional audio and visual programming, running alongside its coverage of the FIFA World Cup, where talkSPORT holds UK audio rights to the tournament.
Abi joins from The Athletic, where she has worked since 2020 across podcasting and broadcast production.
Her career includes a Best Sports Producer win at the Audio Production Awards in 2023 and a Silver Audio Documentary award at the Sports Journalism Awards last year for The Story of the Guinea Stadium Disaster.
She has also worked on BBC Radio 4’s You’re Dead To Me, which won a British Comedy Award.
In her new position, Abi will oversee all podcast content across audio and video, with plans to grow exclusive visualised programming distributed via YouTube and podcast platforms. The role also supports talkSPORT’s wider connected television strategy and its expanding schedule of live football coverage.
Head of talkSPORT Liam Fisher said Abi’s appointment comes at a key moment, adding that podcasts will sit at the centre of the station’s growth, alongside new titles including How to Win the World Cup with Matt Forde.
Abi said returning to talkSPORT, where she began her career on talkSPORT2, felt like a natural step, adding that the aim is to unlock the podcast potential of the station’s on and off-air teams.
The appointment comes ahead of the FIFA World Cup in North America, with talkSPORT set to broadcast all 104 matches and produce supporting visualised shows for audiences unable to attend in person.