Absolute Radio celebrate landing Premier League rights with gun signing

Absolute Radio are celebrating their securing of Barclays Premier League rights with the signing of Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

Former Arsenal and England hero Wright has joined esteemed football commentator Jim Proudfoot and respected voice of football Russ Williams to complete Absolute Radio’s presenter line-up for its brand new Barclays Premier League programme kicking off on the 14th August.

The original Rock & Roll Football, a mix of goal highlights and punditry, will remain alongside a new feature; Rock & Roll Football ‘Live’, the station’s exclusive 3pm Saturday afternoon Barclays Premier League Football commentary.

This will be broadcast on the station’s newly launched service Absolute Radio Extra - the pioneering premium ‘red button’ style content service on DAB Digital Radio, 1215AM and online in the UK.

• 1.30pm: Absolute Radio Extra. Russ Williams will anchor the station’s pre-match build-up from 1.30 – 3pm on Absolute Radio Extra.

• 3pm – Absolute Radio. Russ Williams will host Rock & Roll Football in a new slot between 3pm and 5pm on Absolute Radio, as well as fronting the station's Rock & Roll Sport Podcast. Russ has previously been the host of Sky
TV’s Soccer AM as well as providing commentary on ITV’s Premier League football coverage.

• 3pm – Absolute Radio Extra. Jim Proudfoot will hold the mantle of match commentator from 3 – 5pm on Absolute Radio Extra exclusively. Proudfoot’s credentials include commentating on Sky's Premier League highlights programme 'Goals on Sunday' and 'Football First' as well as Setanta Sports and EPSN Sports. Jim was the lead Champions League commentator and the principal commentator at the 2010 FIFA World Cup for talkSPORT.

• 5pm – Absolute Radio & Absolute Radio Extra. Ian Wright the former England and Arsenal forward and respected radio and TV broadcaster will anchor post-match commentary and analysis from 5 – 6.30pm on Absolute Radio and Absolute Radio Extra, accompanied by Jim Proudfoot, Russ Williams and guests. Since his retirement from football, Ian has featured as a pundit on BBC Sport's International Match of the Day as well as appearing on the panel for Euro 2004 and the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Wright also co-hosted the Drive -Time slot on talkSPORT with Adrian Durham.

The Live commentary will be co-produced by Independent Production Company USP and Executive Produced by Simon Crosse. USP produces all of the BBC’s Formula One coverage for Radio 5 live, online and for the red button service on BBC1.

The station has agreed a deal with a soon-to-be announced sponsor for the full afternoon’s coverage.

Rock & Rock Football kicks off on Saturday August 14th with live and exclusive Barclays Premier League commentary.