ITV and BBC regulars Mark Pougatch and Sonja McLaughlan will form part of a new sports radio station supported by a multi-million pound injection from Tory peer Zac Goldsmith. Goldsmith and his brother, Ben, are significant backers of Track Radio, which is set to launch next month.

ITV Sport mainstay Pougatch and BBC Six Nations correspondent McLaughlan have been unveiled for the venture. The former will be fronting the Drive Time programme and the latter the Daytime slot. Track Radio counts John Inverdale amongst its advisors while Iain Macintosh will spearhead the project, which is owned by Track Record Corporation.

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"Track Radio provides a home for sports fans and music lovers alike," a statement read as reported by City AM: "An escape from the polarised debates and relentless news cycle that dominate the media landscape."

Pougatch and McLaughlan will be accompanied by sports broadcaster Vassos Alexander, Daily Mail sports reporter Charlotte Daly and presenter Sanny Rudravajhala, with further announcements expected.

The station, supported by a seven-figure investment, will broadcast from 7am to 7pm on weekdays. "The station is committed to covering men's and women's sports equally, without segregating women's coverage into isolated shows," the station insisted.

"We want to celebrate the passion and energy that makes us all sports fans in a way that is welcoming, engaging, and credible," Macintosh said.

"We can't wait to launch Track Radio next month and build a space where listeners are at the heart of the conversation, able to call in, take part, and enjoy great sporting debate-all soundtracked to some fantastic music.

"This is a top-class presenter team, and I am sure there will be plenty more to come as we grow, expand, and offer even more for fans and listeners."

Inverdale added: "I'm absolutely delighted to be part of this fresh, vibrant new station. I meet so many people for whom sport and music are the central tenets of their lives, and we are really excited to bring both of these aspects together."