ESPN U.K. Scores FA Rights

LONDON: ESPN has expanded its portfolio of English football rights, clinching a four-year deal to air The FA Cup beginning in 2010.

The rights were previously held by Setanta, which folded earlier this year. Setanta’s EPL rights were also scooped up by ESPN in the U.K. The sportscaster’s deal covers up to 25 live, exclusive matches per season, ending in 2014, including one exclusive semi-final as well as a simulcast of the final with ITV. From 2010-11, ESPN will televise two matches in The FA Cup first and second rounds (plus up to two replays per round), three matches from the third to fifth rounds (plus up to one replay), two quarter-finals (plus up to one replay) and one semi-final for each of the next four seasons. ITV will continue to broadcast one match in the first and second round, two matches from the third to fifth rounds, two quarter-finals and one semi-final. 

FA CEO Ian Watmore said: “We are extremely pleased to have added ESPN to our list of broadcast partners. As a global broadcaster, who have already demonstrated a strong presence in the U.K., ESPN will give our football great visibility and we look forward to an excellent partnership with them. Whilst it’s a very different market to two years ago, we have nevertheless taken our time and as a result have received some strong, credible bids.”

Jeroen Oerlemans, the VP and channel manager for TV at ESPN Europe, the Middle East and Africa, added: “The FA Cup is one of the great U.K. sports properties and will add to an already strong lineup of top-quality football on ESPN. We look forward to bringing these matches to our fans in brilliant HD. We are delighted to have been awarded these exclusive domestic rights, which are another significant step in growing our presence in the U.K.”