BBC & Talksport Reveals FA Cup Rights
The Football Association has confirmed new FA Cup rights for BBC Sport and talkSPORT, with the latter set to broadcast live audio commentary of the prestigious knockout tournament in the UK for the first time.
Additionally, talkSPORT’s new international service talkSPORT Live launches on 18th August, 2012, and will now offer access to FA Cup matches as well as all Premier League games with distribution via the internet, mobile apps and international broadcast partners.
Meanwhile, the BBC’s six-season deal also includes the Community Shield and the qualification campaigns for the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, and the 2016 European Championships.
General Secretary for The FA, Alex Horne, commented: ‘We’re delighted that two high profile broadcasters in BBC 5 Live and talkSPORT will be bringing The FA Cup with Budweiser, England internationals and the Community Shield to large audiences nationwide.’
‘The FA Cup enjoyed a highly successful campaign in Budweiser’s first year as sponsor and there’s a real appetite for the competition ahead of the 2012-13 season and the Extra-Preliminary Round on August 10.’
‘It will be an exciting year for England as Roy Hodgson leads us into the World Cup qualifying campaign and some mouth-watering fixtures as part of The FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations.’
‘We thank BBC 5 Live and talkSPORT for their support and look forward to working with both over the next six seasons.’
The latest talkSPORT agreement follows the announcement in April that the station had signed an exclusive deal with the Premier League to broadcast live commentary of all Premier League matches outside the European Economic Area in multiple languages including English, Spanish and Mandarin for the next four seasons.
Scott Taunton, chief executive, talkSPORT added: ‘Today’s announcement clearly positions talkSPORT as the leading commercial sports radio station worldwide.’
‘The FA Cup is the original and most historic cup competition in the world. I’m extremely excited that this deal gives us the ability to bring talkSPORT’s passion and analysis to the FA Cup, Community Shield and England friendlies to our listeners in the UK for the first time ever.’
‘The opportunity to broadcast FA Cup games internationally has been a key part of our global plans for talkSPORT Live and today’s rights announcement opens up the European market to us. We are in the process of creating a network of global radio and distribution partners for talkSPORT Live.’
