Fans will no longer be able to listen to live commentary of Peterborough United on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
The surprise announcement was made today by Peterborough United who “decided to end the contract with BBC Radio Cambridgeshire”.
In future football commentary will only be available through a subscription only app.
“Supporters can tune in on match day with audio passes on sale at £5 per game, whilst regular listeners can make regular savings by taking out a monthly subscription,” said a club statement.
“For just £6.50 per month, fans can access live audio commentary for each match, (six in the month of August, a saving of £23.50) as well as all of our exclusive daily updates and behind the scenes video content.”
Commentary for the subscription service will be provided by Chris Dowsett and Nilesh Patel confirmed as our regulars behind the mic.
Commentary for the subscription service at Peterborough Utd will be provided by Chris Dowsett and Nilesh Patel
The statement added: “And that’s not all…throughout the season the duo will be joined in the booth by players and pundits offering a unique insight into games at the Weston Homes Stadium.”
Dowsett said: “I am really excited about the opportunity.
“Commentating is something I have always wanted to do since I was a kid and to do it for the club, I have supported my whole life is absolutely brilliant. I have had a taste of it in the last few years and I can’t wait for the season to start and hopefully commentate on a strong season for the club.”
Patel said: “Chris and I have worked together before on a few commentaries, so it is fantastic that we can work together again.
“I have been a fan of this club for 30-odd years and hopefully I can convey some of the emotion we will see on the pitch during the season for the fans at home, or wherever they are tuning in to Posh+ from.”
End of of an era for @BBCCambs – I secured the first ever Posh league commentary for BBC Cambs in 1995 – Back then Chris Turner asked what they would have to pay us 😳 Happy days with the big man
— Paul Stainton (@PaulStainton) July 20, 2023
Phil Adlam, head of media and content, said: “We are delighted that Chris and Nilesh have agreed to become our commentators for the season.
“They have experience, they are dedicated, knowledgeable and we firmly believe that it is important for consistency that we have regular commentators behind the mic.
“We have taken a lot of feedback from supporters over the last few seasons and understand why there is a need for us to bring this in-house.”
Fans have, however, reacted strongly to the removal of the free services, that Radio Cambridgeshire has run since 1995.
On Twitter, Steve said: “Steve I’ve never known a football club be run so poorly and be so out of touch with its fanbase. Who’s making these decisions?
“You charge Premier League prices inside the ground for League One football but are still trying to get fans to spend more money by subscribing to Posh+
Toby tweeted: “Not to mention the prices going up for Posh+ by almost half of what they already were during such a hard time for so many people.
“Have to be brutally honest and say that the way the fans have been treated financially over the past 24 months or so has been a disgrace.”
And Emerald Post pointed out on Twitter that “back in the 80’s you used to have to turn on your radio just to listen to the game.
“Of course, nowadays, with technology and smartphones you can pay £45 a year to… listen to the game.”
A full list of Posh+ prices can be found here.
https://www.theposh.com/news/202324-posh-plus-pricing
You can sign up to Posh+ here.
https://www.theposh.com/video/packages
