talkSPORT is considering a bid for the UK radio broadcasting rights to Formula 1, potentially bringing an end to the BBC’s 32-year run as the sport’s radio home.
Liam Fisher, head of talkSPORT, told The Telegraph that Formula 1 would be a good fit for the station’s audience, according to Crash.net.
The BBC has broadcast Formula 1 on radio since 1994, making it a familiar destination for generations of motorsport fans. However, with its current agreement due to expire after the 2027 season, talkSPORT could emerge as a potential contender for the next deal.
Fisher said: “It’s another brilliant set of rights. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t actively exploring whether there’s an opportunity.”
He added: “We think the audience goes quite well with the talkSPORT audience. We think there’s an opportunity for us to deliver really good amplification for it as well.”
talkSPORT looks beyond football
Although talkSPORT is best known for its extensive football coverage, the broadcaster has been looking to expand into other sports and attract new audiences.
Fisher said the station’s strategy was built around the idea that football fans often have interests in other sports, creating opportunities to broaden its coverage.
“Football still is our bread and butter, but we’ve definitely looked to extend it on the basic understanding that, even if football is your first, second, and third sport, you are probably into something else as well,” he said.
He added that the station had been targeting sporting events where it believed there was an audience that would complement its existing offering.
The broadcaster has already taken steps into motorsport. In May 2026, talkSPORT secured radio rights to six MotoGP races during the summer, with coverage airing on talkSPORT2 and featuring the TNT Sports commentary team.
A move into Formula 1 would represent a further expansion of the station’s motorsport coverage and could give it access to one of the biggest global sporting audiences.
BBC’s Formula 1 deal runs until the end of 2027
The BBC’s current agreement with Formula 1 covers the 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons, giving Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds exclusive UK audio rights.
Its coverage team includes 1996 world champion Damon Hill, Formula E driver Sam Bird, former W Series racer Alice Powell and ex-F1 mechanic Marc Priestley.
The BBC has built a long-standing reputation for its radio coverage of the championship, keeping listeners informed through live commentary, analysis and reaction across the race calendar.
With the existing deal approaching its conclusion, the next round of negotiations could determine where UK fans turn to follow Formula 1 on the radio from 2028.
For now, talkSPORT’s interest remains at the exploratory stage, and no change to the BBC’s existing coverage has been announced.