In a further indication of just how aggressive the telco has been in acquiring sports rights in the UK, BT Sport, in conjunction with the BBC, has retained the rights to the FA Cup until 2021.
BBC BT Sport 13 April The broadcasters reached an agreement with the Football Association (FA) of England to extend their shared coverage of the most famous cup club competition in world football for another three years.
Former England striker Gary Lineker will continue to lead BBC presentation duties with live traditional coverage as well as what the BBC calls technological innovation that it says brings audiences closer to the action than ever before via a personalised digital offering. Fans will be able to stay up to date with all action across TV, radio and digital platforms available to them anytime, anywhere.
For its part, BT Sport will broadcast more FA Cup matches than ever from 2018/19, when it will show an extra live match in rounds one to five of the competition, covering up to 30 live matches exclusively each year. From the 2016/2017 season fans will be able to enjoy enhanced FA Cup coverage in Ultra HD and on the BT Sport app, launched this season when BT Sport became the exclusive home of the UEFA Champions League.
“We are delighted to retain the rights to broadcast the most famous domestic cup competition in the world on free-to-air TV,” commented Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport. “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. FA Cup coverage on the BBC will continue to unite the nation through must-see sporting moments, captivating audiences of all ages.”
Added Delia Bushell, managing director, BT TV and BT Sport: “The FA Cup is a fantastic competition which is loved the world over, and we are delighted to be extending our partnership with the FA. We will continue to support the FA with more live matches and ground-breaking Ultra HD and digital coverage.”
The new deal will also see an enhanced commitment to women’s football from both the BBC and BT with live coverage of international qualifiers, the Women’s FA Cup final, plus 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.
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