Teamtalk takes on MacKenzie

SPORTS radio and internet news business Teamtalk Media has declared an airwaves war on former editor of The Sun Kelvin MacKenzie's TalkSport with plans for a 24-hour rival. Teamtalk is close to finalising a £2m takeover of national radio station Atlantic 252, which it will switch from a music channel to a sports one, rebranding it Teamtalk 252.

Teamtalk chief executive Bill Wilson said: 'We think we can put a product out there that will take listeners away from them.'

Losses before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of goodwill grew to £5m in the six months to 30 September from £1.8 m in the same period last year on turnover up from £5.1m to £5.3m.