Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City Championship Clash: Where to Listen and Who’s Commentating on August 16, 2025

The English Championship returns on August 16, 2025, with an eagerly awaited match between Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City kicking off at 15:00 UK time. Fans keen on following the action live will find comprehensive radio coverage across multiple BBC and talkSPORT channels. This article details where to listen, who is commentating, and offers background on the presenters and pundits bringing the game to life.

The match, held at Blackburn's home ground Ewood Park, will be covered by BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC Radio WM (FM), and talkSPORT 2 alongside the talkSPORT app stream. The BBC’s nationwide station, Radio 5 Live, renowned for its top-tier live football coverage, will feature Chris Coles as the reporter. Coles brings a wealth of experience reporting on football and is known for his clear and insightful commentary during key Championship matches.

Regional BBC radio stations will also provide their own voices on this game. BBC Radio Lancashire, the local radio for Blackburn and the surrounding area, will have Tom Sandells reporting. Sandells is a veteran sports radio journalist with numerous years covering Blackburn Rovers, bringing fans close to the action with detailed match updates.

Meanwhile, BBC Radio WM (FM), serving the West Midlands including Birmingham, will present coverage led by host Daz Hale. Hale is a popular football broadcaster heavily involved in Midlands football, known for his engaging presenting style around club and league news.

On the commercial side, talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT app provide a parallel audio service with a dedicated team: Faye Carruthers as presenter, Ian Danter as main commentator, and Adrian Clarke as co-commentator. Carruthers is an experienced sports broadcaster with a sharp knack for live radio presentation. Ian Danter, a seasoned football commentator, is praised for his vivid play-by-play narration, while Adrian Clarke, a former professional footballer with extensive coaching and punditry experience, offers expert analysis tactically and technically. This combination is popular with talkSPORT’s audience for its depth and clarity.

Match Context: Blackburn Rovers come into this match after a tough start to the season, having lost their opening game of the Championship campaign 1-0 to West Ham United's 10-man side and facing a further home defeat in the EFL Cup against Bradford City. Manager Valerien Ismael's side will be eager to turn their fortunes around in front of the home crowd.

Birmingham City, led by Chris Davies, managed a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town in their season opener and will look to build on that solid if unspectacular start. Both teams have a fairly balanced head-to-head record, with Blackburn having a slight edge historically, making this fixture evenly poised and a compelling listen for Championship enthusiasts.

Beyond the radio broadcasts, fans also have access to match stats, live scores, and predictions on established sports websites like Sportskeeda, FotMob, and ESPN Soccer. These sites provide real-time updates, team news, and insightful match analysis that complement the live commentary experience.