Charlton

08.08.07 ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CHARLTON ATHLETIC:

Charlton fans will unfortunately be unable to listen to commentary on Addicks matches via the official website OR the BBC London website this season.

Live coverage of Charlton's games in 2007/08 will be available over the airwaves via BBC LONDON 94.9 and BBC Radio Kent after the Addicks renewed their successful broadcast agreement with the BBC.

But one consequence of relegation from the Premier League means that in order for the club to stream online Football League commentaries, the Addicks must charge supporters a subscription - something the club is unwilling to do.

"We fully appreciate this news about online radio commentary will be disappointing for all of our fans who live outside the reach of BBC LONDON 94.9 and BBC Radio Kent, but at present we don't see any alternative," said commercial director Steve Sutherland.

"Under Football League rules, in order for the club to stream radio commentaries and match highlights on our official website, we would have needed to enter into a license agreement with Football League Interactive, the division of The Football League that controls such matters.

"Unfortunately, Football League rules also dictate that clubs must then charge fans to access such commentaries through paid subscriptions.

"Therefore, rather than potentially compromise our relationship with the BBC, we have decided to opt out of this service as we believe the two stations will provide supporters with more expert, and free-to-air, radio commentaries on a regular basis this season."

Commentaries will also be unavailable here on the BBC London website.

Despite the news, Sutherland was still pleased that the club had agreed a further three-year agreement with BBC LONDON 94.9 to be the club's radio partners.
He said: "We are delighted David Robey, Pete Stevens and our friends at the radio station have shown their confidence in us in this way, especially bearing in mind the differences between the Premier League and The Football League regarding rules governing online broadcasting rights."

Fans from abroad with no access to BBC LONDON 94.9 or BBC Radio Kent's broadcasting can still follow the Addicks via the official website this season.

Not only will the club be continuing its regular matchday coverage, including team news, a match report posted on the final whistle and all the post-match reaction, but reporters will continue to provide in-game updates while the match is in progress.