Sheffield Wednesday can inform supporters that following recent discussions with the BBC, live commentary of our away fixtures will not be broadcast on Radio Sheffield during the 2018/19 season.
The terms offered by the BBC to the club were significantly less than those within the year by year contract historically signed every summer.
This development was unprecedented and despite our best efforts to seek a renewal only on the same terms, agreement could not be reached.
The club has been told by the BBC of our extremely healthy audience figures and when aligned with our media profile that has grown hugely in recent years, we do not believe a reduction in terms is appropriate.
This, combined with regular subscriber feedback, has now afforded the Owls the opportunity to launch a brand new strand of our iFollow service for the club’s away games and match those at Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday are one of the most successful clubs on the EFL Digital platform, with our exposure at an all-time high and we firmly believe this development represents an exciting opportunity to take our iFollow product to the next level.
We also believe that should our model succeed, EFL peers may seek a similar route in the future.
Starting on Saturday at Wigan when the curtain rises on the new campaign, Wednesdayites around the world can listen to exclusive live commentary of the Latics v the Owls with a bespoke SWFC angle.
The full game at the DW Stadium will be broadcast through iFollow Wednesday, with the whole 90 minutes live and uninterrupted.
Our commentaries from Hillsborough with Rob O’Neill and John Pearson have long been extremely popular, leading to requests to extend the coverage away from home.
And this season we will be doing exactly that, with the team strengthened by EFL and talkSPORT commentator Jack Woodward, who kicks off the show on Saturday alongside ex-Owls striker Pearson.
iFollow Wednesday subscribers can also watch exclusive full match replays of every Owls game as part of the service, together with pre and post-match press conferences, player interviews and more.
CLICK HERE for full details to subscribe from just £4.49 per month and never miss a minute of the action – home and away.