ESPN secure FA Cup rights

An article on The Guardian website reports that ESPN have secured the FA Cup rights from next season onwards. The deal will see ESPN show two live games per round. However, ITV will continue to show one live game per round, and will get first pick ahead of ESPN. Both broadcasters will share the FA Cup final.

Despite The FA trying to rekindle their relationship with the BBC, they opted for ESPN's bid which is said to be 60% larger than the BBC's.

This is a good move by ESPN, who need something next season to try and replace the loss of half their Premier League games. However, it's unlikely that some subscribers will stay with ESPN just for the FA Cup.