UTV Media's radio subsidiary in Britain has been awarded a broadcast licence in South Africa for TalkSport 540AM, the country's first 24-hour sports radio station.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa gave the licence to the Belfast-headquartered broadcaster along with four South African joint venture partners.

The TalkSport-owner already broadcasts live Barclays Premier League commentary in eight languages to 24 countries through TalkSport International, and the company said the new licence would "further strengthen TalkSport's growing international appeal".

The medium wave licence will broadcast to a potential audience of eight million people covering Gauteng province and taking in the commercial and administrative hubs of Johannesburg and Pretoria.