ITV wins FA Cup and World Cup qualifier rights
ITV has announced that it has successfully renewed its deal with the Football Association to screen the FA Cup and England internationals for a further two years in a deal estimated at £90m.
The deal gives ITV the right to air the first pick of FA Cup games from the first round through to the final in May alongside a commitment to broadcast some matches which fall further down the pecking order.
16 live games per season will be broadcast in total, including extensive highlights from each round.
During the two year period ITV will also be the only free to air channel broadcasting home qualifiers for the Fifa 2014 World Cup.
ITV director of television Peter Fincham said: “The FA Cup and England internationals are events with huge resonance and appeal for our viewers. I’m delighted that we are extending our partnership with The FA and that ITV1 will continue to be the home of live football on free-to-air television.”
Stuart Turner, FA group commercial director, added: “We enjoy a great relationship with ITV and this extension to our agreement underlines that. Having The FA Cup and England alongside other ITV content such as the Uefa Champions League and World Cups shows that our football content holds its own in exalted company. It further confirms ITV's position as the home of free-to-air live football.”