Following the demise of Setanta Sports in the UK the FA has decided to stream some of the earlier FA Cup rounds live and exclusive via the internet.
Not a single broadcaster has bought the TV rights from the failed Irish pay TV network but why? Surely the BBC, Sky, Eurosport or even ESPN could have found the money from somewhere?
The First Round proper games to be broadcast are:
Paulton Rovers v Norwich City, 12.45pm, Saturday 7 November on ITV1
Oldham Athletic v Leeds United, 5.15pm, Saturday 7 November, streamed live on www.TheFA.com and through the Perform distribution network.
Northwich Victoria v Charlton Athletic, 1.30pm, Sunday 8 November on ITV1, followed by the Second Round Draw live at 3.35pm
The FA’s official website published the following statement.
The FA today announced that ITV1 will screen an extra live match for both the First and Second Rounds of The FA Cup – increasing the network’s existing competition commitments to two live matches per round.
A third tie in each round will be shown live and free of charge on TheFA.com. This follows the successful streaming of England Under-21s European Qualifier against Macedonia earlier this month. The FA will again utilise the Perform Group’s streaming services and distribution network.
The announcement means that the coverage of the earlier rounds of the competition will remain the same as last season with three live games being broadcast. These arrangements have been put in place whilst The FA continue to negotiate a long-term replacement deal for the rights previously held by Setanta.
ITV4 will now also broadcast one replay in both the First and Second Rounds. The FA will stream the second replay free to air on TheFA.com in each round.
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