IMG arm switches into radio
The TV arm of Mark McCormack’s sports agency, International Management Group (IMG), is to expand into the radio market.
Trans World International (TWI) is in advanced talks with radio group Unique Broadcasting to supply sports programming to radio stations across the UK.
Both companies’ lawyers are studying the deal. The name of the joint company has yet to be finalised but the agreement could be signed before the end of the year.
During the summer both companies produced a 15-minute radio news service for Talk Radio and 12 other stations around the world. The success of this has led to the long-term deal.
TWI managing director Bill Sinrich says: “We are looking at joint venture deals.” Unique managing director Simon Cole adds: “We are always looking at deals where we can get access to rights and archive material.”
TWI has set up a unit, called TWI Radio, and through its parent company IMG has access to sports rights and personalities across the globe.
IMG rights include the foreign broadcast of the English football’s Premier League, the Rugby World Cup, and many of the tournaments on the European Professional Golf Association Tour.
Unique is the largest radio producer in the UK and supplies a range of programming – speech-based and music – to more than 300 radio stations around the world. Its programmes range from The Pepsi Chart to Radio 4’s Something Understood.
