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Hull City v Blackburn Rovers FA Cup Radio Coverage: Who’s Commentating on BBC Radio Humberside and BBC Sounds?
The 2025–26 FA Cup third‑round tie between Hull City and Blackburn Rovers at the MKM Stadium is a classic cup fixture, and for many supporters in East Yorkshire and beyond, the best way to experience it will be via live radio commentary. The match kicks off at 14:30 UK time on Sunday 11 January 2026, and local and digital BBC platforms are providing comprehensive audio coverage.[5][4] For this tie, the focus is firmly on BBC Radio Humberside and the BBC Sounds app, with the same presentation and commentary team also available through BBC Sport Online (Audio). That means fans can choose between traditional FM/DAB radio, a mobile app or a browser stream, but will hear the same familiar local voices guiding them through every tackle and talking point.
This FA Cup third‑round encounter at the MKM Stadium pitches a Championship Hull side against fellow second‑tier outfit Blackburn, with the tie scheduled as part of the traditional January weekend of cup action.[2][5] The BBC’s local radio operation in Humberside is treating it as a marquee fixture in its winter sports schedule, and has assigned an experienced three‑person team: presenter James Hoggarth, main commentator James Fletcher and co‑commentator Peter Swan. Together, they will provide build‑up, full 90‑minute commentary, extra time if required, and immediate post‑match reaction.
Where to listen: BBC Radio Humberside, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport Online
Supporters in the Hull and East Riding area can listen on BBC Radio Humberside, the local BBC station that has long been the primary home of Hull City match coverage. It will carry a full match‑day programme, with pre‑match analysis, team news, full‑time reaction and interviews. The same audio feed will also be accessible nationally and internationally via the BBC Sounds app, making it straightforward for exiled Hull fans or Blackburn supporters unable to travel to the MKM Stadium to tune in.
For listeners who prefer to follow along on the web, the same commentary will be integrated into BBC Sport Online (Audio)
The BBC’s extensive rights portfolio across radio and digital platforms ensures that ties such as Hull City v Blackburn Rovers receive in‑depth coverage even if they are not selected for live UK TV broadcast. The club‑focused nature of local radio means the tone is often more intimate than national network commentaries, with an assumption that much of the audience has a strong emotional investment in Hull City’s fortunes. By mirroring that feed on BBC Sounds and BBC Sport Online, the corporation effectively turns a regional broadcast into a national, and indeed global, option for dedicated followers.
Presenter: James Hoggarth anchors the coverage
The match‑day broadcast will be fronted by James Hoggarth, a well‑known voice on BBC Radio Humberside’s sports output. As presenter, he will guide listeners through the programme from shortly before kick‑off until after the final whistle, setting the scene, introducing the commentary team and handling post‑match analysis. Hoggarth’s role will include reading out team line‑ups, framing key talking points – such as Hull’s recent form and Blackburn’s own cup ambitions – and ensuring smooth transitions to and from the live commentary.
Hoggarth has become a familiar figure to sports fans across the Humberside patch, often fronting Hull City and Hull KR coverage as part of the station’s commitment to local sport. Over the years he has developed a reputation for an engaging but measured style, allowing his pundits and commentators to shine while keeping programmes on schedule and on theme. His background in regional broadcasting means he is particularly attuned to the narratives that matter to local supporters: promotion pushes, cup runs and the ebb and flow of club ownership and management.
On FA Cup weekends, the presenter’s job takes on added importance as they weave together wider competition storylines – giant‑killings elsewhere, all‑Premier League clashes and potential replays – with the specifics of the local tie. Hoggarth is likely to highlight the historical significance of the world’s oldest knockout competition, remind listeners of memorable Hull City cup nights at the MKM Stadium and away from home, and place this third‑round match in the broader context of the club’s season.
Main commentator: James Fletcher calls the action
At the heart of the broadcast is James Fletcher, serving as main commentator. His job is to provide the live play‑by‑play description from the MKM Stadium gantry, painting a picture for radio listeners who cannot see the action. That means capturing not only who has the ball and where, but also the tempo, the atmosphere in the stands and the tactical patterns that emerge as the match develops.
Fletcher has become a staple of BBC Radio Humberside’s football coverage, calling Hull City fixtures across league and cup. Commentators at local BBC level typically work across a range of duties – from full commentary to reporting for sports bulletins – and Fletcher fits that tradition, offering clear, precise description backed by solid preparation. For a knockout match such as this, he will have researched recent head‑to‑head meetings between Hull City and Blackburn Rovers, as well as their current Championship form and likely starting line‑ups.[2][5]
A strong radio commentator must also manage pace and tone, knowing when to let the noise of the crowd speak for itself and when to step in with detailed explanation. As FA Cup ties can swing rapidly – particularly if there is an early goal or a red card – Fletcher’s ability to keep listeners oriented is crucial. With the tie scheduled for a 14:30 kick‑off at the MKM Stadium, he and his co‑commentator will be working in winter conditions, potentially under floodlights by the second half, which can add to the atmosphere conveyed over the airwaves.[5][4]
Co‑commentator: Peter Swan provides expert analysis
Alongside Fletcher on the gantry will be Peter Swan, taking on co‑commentator duties. Swan is best known to Hull City supporters as a former defender with the club, giving him first‑hand experience of the demands of professional football and of playing in front of the MKM Stadium faithful. His role on air is to add tactical insight, explain individual performances and draw on his own career to contextualise key moments.
Co‑commentators such as Swan are particularly valuable during FA Cup ties, where the stakes are immediate – survive and progress, or exit the competition. He is likely to focus on issues such as defensive organisation at set pieces, how Hull’s midfield copes with Blackburn’s pressing, and whether either manager tweaks shape in‑game to exploit weaknesses. When chances are missed or refereeing decisions prove controversial, Swan’s analysis can help listeners understand whether the players or officials could realistically have done much differently.
Since moving into media, Swan has built a solid local reputation as a straight‑talking pundit who is not afraid to criticise poor defending or questionable effort levels. That candour tends to resonate with supporters, particularly in a region where football culture prizes hard work and resilience. For this third‑round tie, his insight into how players approach knockout football – where one mistake can end a cup run – will be a consistent thread through the commentary.
The match in context: Hull City v Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup
The game itself is part of the FA Cup third round, traditionally the stage at which Premier League and Championship clubs enter the competition. Hull City, playing at home at the MKM Stadium, will see this as an opportunity to progress while generating crucial momentum for the rest of their season. Blackburn Rovers, with their own proud cup history, will arrive in East Yorkshire aiming to upset the hosts and maintain their own run in the competition.[2][4][5]
Recent seasons have seen these two clubs face each other regularly in the Championship, producing a number of close contests.[2][3] The familiarity between the sides adds spice to the tie and should give the commentary team plenty to talk about, from individual duels to contrasting managerial approaches. With the match scheduled in the early Sunday afternoon slot, it fits neatly into a weekend of FA Cup coverage across radio, TV and online platforms in the UK.
Fans planning to attend the MKM Stadium will of course generate the atmosphere that radio listeners will hear filtered through Fletcher’s microphone, while those following from home may choose to sync the local BBC radio commentary with any available televised pictures if they are watching on international feeds. Globally, broadcasters and digital platforms such as ESPN and beIN SPORTS list the fixture in their FA Cup schedules, underlining the competition’s international appeal even for all‑Championship ties.[2][7]
How BBC local radio fits into wider FA Cup coverage
BBC Radio Humberside’s coverage of Hull City v Blackburn Rovers sits within the BBC’s broader commitment to the FA Cup across its networks. While national radio outlets such as BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra tend to focus on the biggest ties and headline‑making giant‑killings, local stations like Humberside ensure that every significant regional match has a detailed audio presence. That hyper‑local perspective is invaluable for supporters who want coverage tailored to their club rather than a national overview.
On a typical FA Cup weekend, BBC Radio Humberside will weave Hull’s match into a wider sports schedule that may include updates from other ties, rugby league content and local sports news. However, once the first whistle sounds at the MKM Stadium, the focus shifts almost entirely to the commentary team. Hoggarth’s role in steering the overall programme, combined with Fletcher’s live call and Swan’s analysis, provides a complete radio package: pre‑match build‑up, live description, expert opinion and reaction once the outcome is known.
Listeners who prefer digital platforms can access the same content on BBC Sounds, where the station’s live output is streamed nationwide. The app allows users to pause, rewind and listen on the go, making it convenient for those working or travelling during the match. Meanwhile, the BBC Sport website’s audio integration ensures that fans following live text commentaries are just a click away from the full local radio experience.
Useful background and further reading
Supporters wanting to explore more about the two clubs and the competition can find detailed information from a range of reputable sources. The official FA Cup pages offer history, format explanations and round‑by‑round details of the 2025–26 tournament. For a deep dive into Hull City’s season and squad, sites such as Sky Sports’ Hull City section provide news, statistics and recent results.[5] Similarly, those interested in Blackburn Rovers’ campaign can consult resources like ESPN’s Blackburn Rovers team page, which tracks fixtures, form and key players.[2]
For this particular tie, however, the most immersive option for many British fans will remain the familiar sound of local BBC radio. With James Hoggarth anchoring, James Fletcher describing every kick and Peter Swan breaking down the tactics from a former professional’s perspective, the Hull City v Blackburn Rovers FA Cup third‑round clash promises to be a compelling listen on BBC Radio Humberside, the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Online (Audio).
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