It looks like there is going to be a big battle for television rights to the FA Cup which should leave the Football Association significantly better off. In January 2012, ITV acquired broadcast rights for 16 FA Cup games per season, as well as some of England’s home qualifying games, for an annual cost of £43m.
It looks like there is going to be a big battle for television rights to the FA Cup which should leave the Football Association significantly better off. In January 2012, ITV acquired broadcast rights for 16 FA Cup games per season, as well as some of England’s home qualifying games, for an annual cost of £43m.
Following BT’s purchase of football rights from ESPN earlier this year, BT and ITV currently share the rights to the FA Cup until the end of the 2013-14 season. The next set of rights run for three seasons to 2017-18. BT and ITV submitted bids last Friday and they are expected to be joined by BSkyB and the BBC.
BBC is putting in a bid because it is concerned about the lack of live football it offers during the regular football season. However, it is expected that BT and BSkyB will bid most aggressively for the rights. BT is locked in a battle for broadband customers with BSkyB and both companies have made cuts in the price of their offer.