BBC in ‘shock’ after Liverpool restrict radio commentary

  • Liverpool host Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday
  • There will be no radio commentary of the match on BBC Radio 5 Live
  • The match had appeared on the BBC’s 5 Live schedule
  • But Liverpool have taken the radio commentary in-house 

Radio listeners will not be able to tune in to commentary of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow on Wednesday after the club restricted audio access to their own website.

BBC Radio 5 Live are in ‘shock’ at Liverpool’s decision, according to the Guardian, having expected to provide full coverage as they did for their last European fixture, the 3-3 draw at Sevilla last month. The BBC schedules had advertised that they would provide full match commentary from Anfield for this week’s Group E clash.

Instead, 5 Live have only been permitted by Liverpool to send one reporter, who will be able to voice brief updates and post-match interviews.

Full commentary for Liverpool’s return Champions League match with Spartak Moscow will not be available on BBC Radio 5 Live after the club took audio coverage in-house

Those wishing to listen to full commentary must register with Liverpool’s website, which costs nothing but will almost certainly prevent neutral football fans from tuning in. Those who do will have to listen to a service with a heavy Liverpool bias.

It also means the match will not be available on medium wave or DAB radio, with access only via the internet. 

The expected audience for Wednesday’s 5 Live commentary had been more than one million listeners. BT Sport are broadcasting the game live on their subscription TV service.

Liverpool were able to make the decision at short notice as radio commentaries for Champions League games are negotiated between broadcasters and clubs on an individual, match-by-match basis.

BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Pougatch

Jurgen Klopp watched his Liverpool side squander a three-goal lead in their last European game away at Sevilla

BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Pougatch (left); Jurgen Klopp watched his Liverpool side squander a three-goal lead in their last European game away at Sevilla

 



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