TNT Sports launching Sign Up – Into Football
October 5, 2023
TNT Sports has unveiled Sign Up – Into Football, a new TV programme aimed at raising the profile of the deaf community and raising the visibility of British Sign Language (BSL). Airing on the first Friday of each month during the football season, the show will be co-presented by Damaris Cooke and Rolf Choutan, two of the industry’s leading BSL presenters.
Premiering on October 6th on TNT Sports 1 at 5:30pm, the pair will travel up and down the country visiting some of England’s most famous football grounds, speaking with a range of influential figures in the game as they recount all the action across the past month of English football and what storylines they will be following in the weeks ahead. In the show’s first episode, Rolf and Damaris travel to the Tottenham Hotspur training ground where they meet Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, club legend Ledley King and current Spurs defender Ben Davies.
Rolf and Damaris are set to bring a wealth of football knowledge to the show having previously served as the lead BSL broadcast presenters for the UEFA Champions League Final last season as part of EE and BT Sport’s Sign Up initiative.
A Crystal Palace season ticket holder, Rolf has previously played deaf football and is currently a member of a deaf futsal team.
Rolf said: “I’m thrilled have this opportunity to present on Sign Up – Into Football and once again work with Damaris. Having the opportunity to travel across the country to discuss the football is truly a dream come true. I hope the show will help raise awareness around the importance of BSL in sports broadcasting and provide greater access to deaf fans in the football community.”
Spurs supporter Damaris, who formerly captained both the England Women’s and GB Women’s Deaf Football teams, adds: “The experience of working with TNT Sports on Sign Up – Into Football has been amazing. I am honoured to have the chance to work with Rolf on this project, as it is something that I know he and I are deeply passionate about, particularly as members of the deaf community. I look forward to visiting some of English football’s legendary grounds and speak with leading figures in the game.”
Scott Young – Senior Vice President, Content and Production, Warner Bros Discovery Sports Europe, said: “TNT Sports strongly believes that everyone should be able to watch and enjoy football: that’s why we’re proud to bring fans Sign Up – Into Football, providing greater access to the sport for all. “By providing a platform for a diverse range of voices to front our programming and tell their stories, we can truly unlock the power of sport through purposeful broadcasts that will resonate with our audiences and partners. We’re very excited to have Rolf and Damaris on board given their stature as two role models in the deaf community and look forward to working with them throughout the season.”
Following on from Eurosport’s weekly magazine show The Power of Sport and the critically-acclaimed Trailblazers digital series’, Sign Up – Into Football is the latest purpose-driven original production launched to highlight Warner Bros. Discovery Sports’ mission to celebrate its values and unlock the power of sport.