ITV, BBC set to share FA Cup
May 15, 2019
The FA Cup is once again set to air exclusively on free-to-air television.
According to reports, ITV has an agreement in place with the FA for a four-year package from the start of the 2021-22 campaign that will guarantee a larger television audience for the oldest national football competition in the world.
The move will see ITV join the BBC as co-rights holders for the competition, with the BBC having the rights to broadcast up to 18 live matches a season, in addition to the highlights and online highlights, while ITV will hold the larger package as the senior partner and air up to 30 games per season.
The deal means the two FTA broadcasters will share coverage of the competition for the first time since 1988, and they will also both offer live coverage of the final. Confirmation of the deal is expected in the coming weeks.
BT Sport has shared the broadcast rights to the competition with the BBC since 2014.
Manchester City face Watford in this year’s final, which takes place at Wembley Stadium on May 18th.