Football

BT Sport and BBC secure FA Cup until 2021

By James Evison

- Last updated on GMT

BT Sport and BBC secure FA Cup until 2021

Related tags Fa cup

BT Sport and the BBC have retained the rights to The FA Cup until 2021, extending their shared coverage for another three years.

On the BBC, Gary Lineker will continue to lead its coverage which will include what the broadcaster describes as a 'personalised digital offering'. 

BT Sport will broadcast more FA Cup matches than ever from 2018/19, when they will show an extra live match in Rounds 1 to 5 of the competition - covering up to 30 matches exclusively live each year.

Ultra HD options and a digital app offering will also be part of the package from next season.

The BBC will also offer live coverage of international qualifiers, the Women’s FA Cup final, and one England Women’s friendly match per season alongside additional live matches and The FA Women’s Super League highlights.

BT Sport will remain the exclusively live broadcaster of The FA Women’s Super League and from 2018 will show both Women’s FA Cup semi-finals exclusively live, the Women’s FA Cup Final and England Senior Women’s home friendlies.

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, said: “The renewed deal will bring audiences closer to the action than ever before via an innovative digital offering across all platforms and showcase our commitment to the women’s game.”

Delia Bushell, managing director, BT TV and BT Sport, said: “We will continue to support the FA with more live matches and ground-breaking Ultra HD and digital coverage. BT Sport audiences are up nearly 50% this season which demonstrates how popular our coverage has become with sports fans.”   

Martin Glenn, FA chief executive, said: “The Emirates FA Cup has enjoyed record viewing figures, with 7 million alone watching Tottenham’s Third Round tie against Leicester City, outstripping all viewing figures for club matches in England this season, both domestically and in Europe.

"It is a competition loved not only in this country but throughout the world, as demand for broadcast rights globally highlight.”

  

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