Zac Goldsmith to Launch New Sports Radio Station Ahead of Summer World Cup
Former Conservative minister Zac Goldsmith is spearheading the launch of a new sports radio station, trkradio, which is scheduled to debut in the lead-up to this summer's men's football World Cup. The Track Radio Corporation has reportedly secured a licence from Ofcom, with Goldsmith and his brother Ben, a financier and environmentalist, serving as the primary investors in this venture.
Station Details and Launch Timeline
Trkradio is expected to go on air for the first time next month, with further announcements regarding presenters and additional financial backers anticipated in the coming weeks. Sources close to the launch have indicated that the station will feature a blend of thoughtful discussions covering a wide range of sports, aiming to provide content that goes beyond traditional football phone-ins, and will also include music segments.
Leadership and Market Competition
The day-to-day operations of trkradio will be managed by Iain Macintosh, previously the head of UK audio at the Athletic, and Jonathan Arendt, the former commercial director of LBC. The station enters a highly competitive market dominated by established players such as the BBC's Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Sports Extra, as well as TalkSport, which has operated two channels for over a decade.
Background on Zac Goldsmith
Zac Goldsmith resigned from his role as a Foreign Office minister in June 2023, citing what he described as the "apathy" towards environmental issues within Rishi Sunak's government. His involvement in this media project marks a new direction following his political career.
World Cup Context
The men's World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, is set to commence on 11 June, with the final scheduled for 19 July, providing a timely backdrop for the station's launch.
