As it continues to expand its slate of social-first football-focused content, Sky Sports has joined forces with 1071 Media, the production company founded by Sir Gareth Southgate and Jimmy Worrall.
The companies will collaborate on social long-form football content. The deal covers the existing podcast and YouTube show The Football Boardroom (TFB), which will be renamed The Football Boardcast (TFB); The Football Dugout, co-hosted by Sky Sports football presenter Mark Chapman and former England defender Conor Coady; and The Football Data Room, a video analysis and data-led show launching on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel with up to three 20-minute episodes released each week. Sky Media will represent all three shows commercially.
Earlier this year, Sky Sports surpassed a billion engagements across its social platforms. It has more than 130 million aggregated subscribers across its social channels.
“As the home of sport for fans across the U.K. and Ireland, this partnership reflects our ambition to provide more choice and entertainment beyond the live action and bring different voices, fresh perspectives and expanded insight into the game,” said Jonathan Licht, CEO of Sky Sports UK & Ireland. “We have years of expertise, an unmatched passion for sport and huge reach. Combining that with 1071 Media’s creativity and insight, we can create compelling new football content and take it to fans wherever and however they choose to engage with the game.”
Southgate added, “It has always been 1071 Media’s intention to combine exciting new concepts with the leading thinkers in sport to educate, inform and entertain fans. With the launch of three football shows covering the boardroom, the boot room and the data room, we hope fans gain greater insight into the business, the tactics, and the analysis to explain how the game really works. We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Sky Sports, who have set the standard in broadcasting for decades. Together, we can bring supporters everywhere closer to the conversations that shape football, with expert voices and a fresh perspective on the sport they love.”
