I think it was always going to be a case of Newcastle United v Arsenal on Radio 5 Live, Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland on Absolute Radio ever since the final whistle went at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

As most probably expected, talkSPORT will be doing an Around the Grounds show on Sunday afternoon - Georgie Bingham confirmed at the weekend that she was presenting the last Sunday Exclusive and talkSPORT Premier League commentary of the season, with a Saturday style Matchday Live with Adrian Durham and Ray Parlour taking the Sunday 12noon-6pm slot this weekend, followed by a Call Collymore in the usual Press Pass slot.

Georgie will be presenting Saturday's Matchday Live with Matt Holland this weekend, which is in its normal timeslot. By the sounds of it, they'll only be doing updates (or at best partial commentary) on the League One and Two Play-Off Finals which is a shame. Saturday evening's schedule includes a Premier League Preview with Sam and Stan between 5-7pm and then a second edition of boxing/MMA show talkSPORT Fight Club with Daily Telegraph journalist Gareth A. Davies - which received very favourable reviews on the talkSPORT Chat thread when it got a first airing before Christmas - between 7-9pm.

Next weekend, Georgie Bingham is listed to be hosting Saturday and Sunday Scoreboard shows from 12noon on both days. On Saturday, this will be followed by The Transfer Tavern with Nat Coombs (Radio 5 Live Sports Extra's baseball presenter who has hosted Extra Time in recent months) from 5-7pm, while on Sunday cricket show Howzat! returns between 4-6pm, followed by the usual line-up of The Press Pass, Full Contact and My Sporting Life. That weekend's Saturday Scoreboard will include commentary on rugby union's Premiership Play-Off Final with Andrew McKenna.

On the night of Saturday 25th May, between 7-10pm an edition of Kick Off is listed with the programme description reading as follows: "Danny Kelly, Sam Matterface and Stan Collymore bring you the very latest on the Champions League final from Wembley." So it sounds like it will be updates-only coverage of the UCL Final, which is consistent with the live football on talkSPORT page of talkSPORT.co.uk. Good to hear Danny Kelly will be anchoring their coverage, as I felt it was a shame he didn't get to host last night's Europa League Final coverage despite doing so for the bulk of their live matches from earlier in the competition. I suspect this has more to do with Mark Saggers hosting the Weekend Sports Breakfast that morning more than anything else.

From Saturday 1st June, talkSPORT's weekend schedule will have to be given a considerable rejig in order to incorporate live British & Irish Lions commentaries for six consecutive Saturdays.

Elsewhere, Adam Bridge has confirmed on Twitter that he'll be presenting on Saturday afternoons between 2-6pm on BBC WM during the summer months from this weekend onwards (the first Saturday without any live football). It'll be interesting to hear if his show includes any live Warwickshire CCC cricket commentaries, as he works on WM's webstreams of county matches during the summer. I'm also interested to find out whether Adam will be used as Absolute's man at an alternate match on Sunday - presumably Newcastle v Arsenal - as he has been on the final day of the past two Premier League seasons, or if he'll be commentating on a game for talkSPORT Live instead.

There's nothing worse than a summer sports filler show when there's not much on.

I'd imagine 5Live will be all over The Ashes as with no Lions coverage, there's not a lot on.

I went to a presentation TS did for my company on their Lions coverage, there's a fair bit of sponsorship planned and cross show promotion.

The BBC apparently would like the rights but didn't see it as "must have"

Has Adam Bridge ever worked as a double act with his wife, Caroline Martin?

Might be an idea, or is it too 'Tony & Julie'?

I was told the BBC were simply outbid by talkSPORT.

The Ashes Test series doesn't start until the week after the final British & Irish Lions Test match against Australia, so there won't be much overlap between the two in terms of coverage.

talkSPORT will have the stronger sports output in June although Radio 5 Live will have Wimbledon fortnight at the end of that month following what should be a tricky three weeks to fill sports-wise. In July, I imagine Radio 5 Live will attempt to either simulcast spells of Test Match Special or produce their own partial commentaries on the cricket on weekend afternoons during The Ashes as they have done in previous summers, particularly I would suggest if any of the limited overs internationals fall on Saturdays or Sundays.

talkSPORT have seven Saturdays ahead where they'll have live rugby commentary in the afternoon (the Premiership Play-Off Final next weekend before six Lions tour or Test matches) but Sundays could be somewhat trickier to fill - I feel a Lions reterospective show might be likely for the Sunday Exclusive slot. Once the Lions tour is over, I could see Matchday Live returning straight away to provide Around the Grounds on selected friendlies as it usually does a few weeks before the start of the competitive football season.


That's interesting to know Colin, is there anything specific you can tell us about their coverage (either in terms of output or commercial bits we can expect to hear)?

Radio 5 Live surely would have wanted to do commentary on the British & Irish Lions tour and not being able to secure non-exclusive rights will have been a blow for them.

I know I've said this before and no doubt will say it again, but I feel the Lions tour is a much better fit on talkSPORT. For a start, all ten tour games will be broadcast live and in full on nationally which wouldn't have been the case, certainly on an analogue radio basis, if Radio 5 Live held the rights as judging by past tours the midweek games would be shifted to 5 Live Sports Extra - should cricket commitments permit that. talkSPORT has assembled a really strong team for the tour - I'm not convinced Radio 5 Live would have put together an equally strong line-up based on their coverage of the Six Nations in recent years. And then you have to factor in that talkSPORT has the scope to allow itself to be dominated by Lions coverage for six weeks this summer in terms of plenty of build-up and reaction; Radio 5 Live simply doesn't have the remit to do this due to its various other commitments.

I can't say too much as it wasn't a presentation to be put on the internet which was made clear

Given which TV channel the games are on and who is a present sponsor on TS it appears there's a lot based around that.

TS see it as a big opportunity as stats show that a high % of rugby fans would automatically turn to 5Live for regular rugby news/analysis (which is fairly obvious given the rights split domestically and 6Nations/autumn friendlies).

TS felt that while the BBC wanted the rights and were upset they didn't get them, in the grand schemes of things, they weren't devastated as they do have Wimbledon/The Ashes this summer plus Athletics.

I got an impression that 6Nations might be on TS agenda at some point

5Live will have the U-21s games in Isreal on 5Live which is good news

disappointing news if TS aren't going to have commentary on the champions League final-- and rather strange given they covered matches in the quarter finals and semi finals as well as the final taking place in England. I don't often criticise TS-- in many ways I prefer it to 5Live, but if I read the difference's post corrected it seems really odd.
re the 6 nations on TS-- I'd be interested to see how that would fit with the station-- with some matches taking place at times when TS would usually be concentrating on football it would be interesting to see how they'd handle that-- am/DAB split maybe as they did when they had cricket coverage on Saturdays on DAB. not that I'd be against TS covering it given the great job they did with the world cup last year and what I'm sure will be good lions coverage.

Saturday 18th May - talkSPORT

Georgie Bingham presenting Matchday Live alongside Angus Fraser with Matt Holland from Wembley Stadium, followed by a Premier League Preview with Danny Kelly and Stan Collymore

League Two Play-Off Final
Bradford City v Northampton Town - Ian Abrahams and Matt Holland ("extended coverage")

Cricket: First Test Match
England v New Zealand - Jack Bannister

Rugby Union: Heineken Cup Final
Clermont Auvergne v Toulon - Russell Hargreaves

From Friday night:

Danny Kelly presented Kick Off alongside Sam Matterface

Rugby Union: Amlin Challenge Cup Final
Leinster v Stade Francais - Russell Hargreaves

Rugby League: Super League
Warrington Wolves v Hull FC - Mark Wilson (via phone)

I imagine talkSPORT's "extended coverage" of the League Two Play-Off Final will amount to partial commentary on certain spells of the game (any penalties, the conclusion of both halves etc). talkSPORT's commentary team for next weekend's Premiership Play-Off Final in the rugby union will be Andrew McKenna and the Wasps and England flanker James Haskell. Thanks for the further information on talkSPORT's Lions coverage Colin.

nPower League Two Play-off Final: Bradford City v Northampton Town (Wembley 1330)
BBC Radio Five Live Conor McNamara, Alistair Bruce-Ball and Phil Brown (commentary)
BBC Radio Northamptonshire John Wilkinson, Tim Oglethorpe and Terry Angus (commentary)

British Army v The FA Legends (Friendly from the Madjeski stadium, Reading)

John Anderson and Jay Macenasbi (unsure) for BFBS (commentary)

BBC Radio Leeds,* and official Bradford City website
host: Gareth Jones
commentator: Dave Fletcher
summariser: John Hendrie
reporters: Adam Pope** and Katherine Hannah


[The Pulse[/i][/b]
host and commentator: Tim Thornton
summarisers: Ian Ormondroyd and Dean Windass


*BBC Radio Leeds had a phone-in after the match.
**A woman swore while describing how she would celebrate after the match when talking to Adam Pope, causing amusement among the commentary team.

What did she say? Don't worry i will fill in the blanks

Radio Clyde Superscoreboard
Host Jim Delahunt with Hugh Keevins and Fraser Wishart
Aberdeen v Hears Bob Smith
Hibs v Dundee Roger Hannah and Gus McPherson
Kilmarnock v St Mirren Mark Guidi and Gordon Daziel

BBC Radio Scotland, 18/5/13

Richard Gordon presenting Sportsound from Pittodrie on all frequencies.

Aberdeen v Hearts - Liam McLeod, John Robertson and Billy Dodds (commentary) with Jim Spence pitchside
Hibernian v Dundee - Brian McLaughlin and Allan Preston
Kilmarnock v St Mirren - Chick Young
Fortmartine Utd v Cove Rangers - Charlie Mann

Brentford v Yeovil Town (League OnePlay-off Final)

BBC Somerset - Geoff Twentyman hosting from Wembley with Chris Sweet joining for HT analysis. Commentary from Ed Hadwin (0-22) Richard Hoskin (22-45) and Chris Spittles. Andy Howard is pitchside reporter, going nuts with the photo's through his twitter account (@AndyLHoward).

This is on 95.5FM only, as 1566MW is broadcasting Middlesex v Somerset with Kevin Hand and Steve something.

Radio Clyde Superscoreboard
Host Jim Delahunt with Fraser Wishart and Gordon Daziel
Dundee United v Celtic Alison Robbie and Hugh Keevins
Ross County v Inverness CT Bob Smith
St Johnstone v Motherwell Ian McColl and Mark Guidi

BBC London
Brentford v Yeovil (Wembley) Phil Parry and Steve Froggett (commentary) with Billy Reeves

Sunday 19th May - talkSPORT

Adrian Durham presenting Matchday Live from the Hawthorns with Stan Collymore from White Hart Lane, Ray Parlour from Stamford Bridge and Michael Gray from St James' Park, followed by Call Collymore

Premier League
Chelsea v Everton - Ian Danter and Ray Parlour
Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers - Graham Beecroft
Manchester City v Norwich City - Dom McGuinness
Newcastle United v Arsenal - Graham Courtney and Michael Gray
Southampton v Stoke City - Tony Incenzo
Swansea City v Fulham - Roger Hughes
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - Sam Matterface and Stan Collymore, with Carl Ralley producing
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United - Dave Rowe and Adrian Durham
West Ham United v Reading - Ian Abrahams
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa - Simon Humphreys

League One Play-Off Final
Brentford v Yeovil Town - Nigel Pearson and Alvin Martin ("extended coverage")

Cricket: First Test Match
England v New Zealand - Jack Bannister

The "extended coverage" of today and yesterday's Play-Off Finals included short bursts of commentary at fairly regular intervals, including on the final few minutes of each half in both games.


talkSPORT Live

Premier League
Chelsea v Everton - Piers Edwards
Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers - Dan Wheeler
Manchester City v Norwich City - Kevin Hatchard
Newcastle United v Arsenal - Richard Connelly and Paul Mortimer (featured 4pm commentary on international radio stations)
Southampton v Stoke City - Alex Crook
Swansea City v Fulham - Will Gavin
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - John Anderson
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United - Mark Tompkins
West Ham United v Reading - Tim Long
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa - Toby Gilles


Absolute Radio

Russ Williams presenting Rock 'N' Roll Football Live alongside Perry Groves, followed by Ian Wright on the phone-in

Premier League
Newcastle United v Arsenal - Adam Bridge and Frank Stapleton
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - Jim Proudfoot and Tony Dorigo (4pm commentary)


Today FM

Michael McMullan presenting Premier League Live with Mark Lawrenson between 3-4pm and Matt Holland from St James' Park for Live After Six

Premier League
Chelsea v Everton - Graham Miller
Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers - Stuart Arrowsmith
Manchester City v Norwich City - Jake Katborg
Newcastle United v Arsenal - Ron Jones and Matt Holland (4pm commentary)
Southampton v Stoke City - Russell Hargreaves
Swansea City v Fulham - Sam Fleet
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - Ian Beach
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United - Alan Tolley
West Ham United v Reading - Grahame Lloyd
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa - Phil Kinsella


BBC WM

Paul Franks presenting WM Sport from the Hawthorns

Premier League
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United - Mike Taylor and Paul Franks (95.6FM commentary), with Richie Anderson talking to the Baggies fans outside the Hawthorns
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa - Rob Gurney

Thanks The Difference

I heard Mark Pougatch say earlier that 5 Live have the ability to switch to the Tottenham v Sunderland match if they want. I'm surprised they are permitted to do this as I thought it was an Absolute exclusive match under the terms of the Saturday contract. Are there different rules in place for the final day?

Absolute don't normally have comm/reporter at other games so maybe they can switch to Newcastle and it's just an arrangement agreed with the BBC?

Absolute have had a separate commentary team at a second game on the final day of the season in each of the three seasons of their Premier League 3pm contract. During today's intro, Jim Proudfoot mentioned that they will "start" at White Hart Lane, indicating that they might be able to cross over to St James' Park for something more than updates should the afternoon dictate it. Remember Absolute don't have Premier League reporting accreditation of the sort that talkSPORT, Radio 5 Live or the Irish national radio stations have so you would assume that a specific measure allows them to have a presence at St James' Park today.

BBC Radio Scotland, 19/5/13

Richard Gordon presenting Sportsound from East End Park on 810MW.

Ross County v Inverness CT (12.45) - Scott Davie, John Robertson and Craig Paterson (commentary)
Dundee Utd v Celtic (12.45) - Chris McLaughlin and Murdo MacLeod
St Johnstone v Motherwell (12.45) - Charlie Mann

Dunfermline v Alloa (16.05) - Paul Mitchell, Derek Ferguson and Billy Dodds (commentary) with Chick Young pitchside
Peterhead v East Fife - Jim Spence

Wigan v Villa was on Dab wasn't it?

BBC Radio Five Live
Chelsea v Everton Jacqui Oatley
Liverpool v QPR Ian Brown
Man City v Norwich Darren Fletcher
Newcastle v Arsenal John Murray and Steve McLaren (commentary)
Southampton v Stoke Steve May
Swansea v Fulham Peter Slater
Tottenham v Sunderland Alistair Bruce-Ball and David Pleat
WBA v Man Utd Mark Pougatch (also host) and Alex McLeish
West Ham v Reading Mike Williams (a new name to me)
Wigan v Villa Stewart Pike
Brentford v Yeovil (Wembley) Conor McNamara and Steve Claridge (commentary)

IRN
Chelsea v Everton Nigel Bidmead
Liverpool v QPR Nick Walsh
Man City v Norwich Shane Pinnington
Newcastle v Arsenal Murray Burnell
Southampton v Stoke Peter Hood
Swansea v Fulham Sam Fleet
Tottenham v Sunderland Andrew Cheal
WBA v Man Utd Clive Edwards
West Ham v Reading Alan Lewis
Wigan v Aston Villa Peter Smith

BBC London
Brentford v Yeovil (Wembley) Phil Parry (also host) and Steve Froggatt (commentary)
Chelsea v Everton Dave Victor
Liverpool v QPR Ian Williams
Newcastle v Arsenal Mark Taylor
Swansea v Fulham Alan Seabrook
Tottenham v Sunderland Jamie Hill and Steve Brown (FM commentary)
West Ham v Reading Emma Jones and Julian Dicks (DAB commentary)
no sign of Nick Godwin or Andy Rowley.