A series of 10 podcasts will be available free at for the entirety of the football competition from June 9 to July 9. They will transmit Baddiel's and Skinner's "humour, knowledge and passion" for the game, direct from Germany, according to The Times. The duo will also be online to interact with fans during the tournament on the site.
"Baddiel and Skinner are an essential part of the World Cup," Keith Blackmore, The Times' executive editor, said. "There are no better commentators to bring the excitement of the tournament to life. The Times is proud to be hosting the podcasts and we know we are giving Times readers something very special alongside the paper's outstanding sports reporting, commentary and analysis."
The deal was brokered with Avalon.
Baddiel said: "The podcast is a great medium for me and Frank: it's new, direct to fans, interactive and doesn't require us to look good. From that point of view, the only World Cup double-act more suited to it would be Ronaldinho and Peter Crouch."
Podcasting itself continues to be popular. Research from market researchers BRMB suggests a quarter of all adult internet users will listen to a podcast in the next six months.
The World Cup is likely to see a flurry of media competing to provide up-to-date content. IPC Magazines' Nuts is reported to be planning a daily edition during the competition.
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