EXCLUSIVE: Global podcast studio Wondery is moving into the UK sports space.
The Amazon-owned company has ordered its first UK sports original podcast, Everything to Play For, and signed a distribution and ad-sales rep deal for award-winning pod The Socially Distant Sports Bar.
Everything to Play For launches its first two episodes on all podcast services on June 10, hosted by Countdown and sports presenter Colin Murray and comedian, actor and broadcaster Elis James. The podcast, from Wondery and Crowd Network, aims to take listeners into stories behind the most iconic sporting moments, great rivalries, brave underdogs and astonishing comebacks.
Season one will feature former footballer Wayne Rooney, who as a prestigiously talented 18-year-old in 2004 carried the hopes of England on his shoulders. Wayne Rooney: England Man will look at how the street-smart kid from working-class roots in Liverpool suddenly hit the heights of international football, testing his resilience under the weight of fame and expectation. The full season will be available on June 10 on subscription service Wondery+.
Future seasons will follow other iconic stars of UK sport including tennis Grand Slam champion Andy Murray as he aimed for Wimbledon glory, multiple Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah and the intense and bitterly competitive rivalry between Rooney’s manager at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger.
The Socially Distant Sports Bar will join Wondery on June 4 on Wondery+ and continue to be available on all podcast platforms a day later. Wondery will distribute and takes over ad sales for the pod, which is hosted by Everything to Play For‘s James alongside Mike Bubbins and Steff Garrero. The sports-comedy show won the Pod Bible Sports & Leisure category in 2021 and Best Comedy Sports Podcast awards at the Sports Podcast Awards a year later.
The two shows join a Wondery UK slate that currently includes the likes of British Scandal, Legacy, The Spy Who and Terribly Famous. Recent British originals Ghost Story and The Price of Paradise both hit number one on the Apple Podcast charts in the UK and the U.S. The Socially Distant Sports Bar deal follows similar ones for Brydon & and RedHanded.
“We’re delighted to expand the range, breadth and appeal of our sonic storytelling for UK listeners and build on the current slate of Wondery sports content including the popular Six Trophies, Men in Blazers, and The Old Man & the Three,” said Declan Moore, Head of International, Wondery. “Razor-sharp hosts Colin Murray and Elis James take us on a riotously entertaining journey through the momentous moments that have defined the lives of some of our biggest global sports stars.
“Who better to kick off the podcast than Wayne Rooney and his dramatic arrival on the global stage in 2004, just as the nation eagerly awaits Euro 2024. We’re also delighted Elis, and his fellow hosts Mike and Steff, are joining the Wondery family, bringing their brilliantly witty and hugely popular podcast, The Socially Distant Sports Bar, to UK audiences.”
The news comes just over a month after Wondery hired Chris Baughen as Head of Podcasts, Wondery UK.