FA Cup to be broadcast Free-to-Air

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Round Proper
Ties to be played 7 and 8 November 2009 
Winning Clubs receive £18,000 from The FA's Prize Fund
Live FA Broadcast fee is £67,500 per club

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.

Highlights of all matches will be screened on ITV1.

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.

FA Chief Executive Ian Watmore said: "We are extremely pleased that our long-term broadcast partner, ITV, has expanded its already comprehensive coverage of the competition, bringing great early-round action to its viewers. We’re also excited to be broadcasting live matches on the internet once again.

"While we continue negotiating our long-term broadcast rights strategy, we are delighted that supporters will be in a position to access these games at no additional cost.”

ITV Controller of Sport, Niall Sloane said: “We’re delighted to extend ITV’s relationship with The FA to broadcast live coverage of these extra games. With two live matches available free to air on ITV1 over both the first and second round weekends, as well as replays and highlights, it will be a great start to our coverage of this year’s competition.”

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