Whither the FA Cup? Already under severe pressure due to schedule constraints and the rise and rise of the Premier League, Champions League and moving forward Club World Cup, the FA Cup remained relevant due being the tournament of the people because of its extended reach on the BBC and then ITV as well. Moving to TNT comes with great risk. A short term increase in rights fee may result is an accelerated decline. Leaving the TNT to distribute the FTA rights is also fraught with danger as they may end up buried on a TNT free to air service, a bit like the Champions League Final on You Tube (although the Final as a Listed Event must be offered to BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or 5). In my experience this approach never leads to an optimal solution. It would have been far safer for the FA to carve out a specific free to air package and remain in control of its own destiny. Why trust the potential long term future of your crown jewel to a broadcaster who very much sees the FA Cup as its third most important football property? How significant were key departures resulting in the FA taking its eye off the ball? I hope the FA does not come to regret this decision. https://lnkd.in/edmGG_5y
Jamie Stoddart
8mo
Can’t help but sigh at this 😞 Final not being the last game was the start and since we’ve had Utd not entering the competition, semis at Wembley, semis without replays, pink ball, 5:30 kick off for the final, replays scrapped after 4th round, pre final ‘concerts’ and now this………Very sad.
Stuart Rowson
8mo
At a time when it seems many sports and events are heading back to free-to-air and PSBs because of the damage of a lack of eyeballs in the past.... this indeed will be one to watch..
David Horridge
8mo
It is just a badly thought out (and short term financial decision.)The FA cup has been making a comeback the last three years. Now that is all thrown away again with the added bonus of the return of reserve team football with no viewers.
Richard Brinkman
8mo
At face value this looks a very perverse decision with the tail wagging the dog and a deep lack of confidence in the product. It would be interesting to hear the FAs thinking and strategy - but why should a partly tax-payer funded organisation running a “game for everyone” feel any compunction to explain its actions to the plebs?!!
Kenny Orr
8mo
It’s a terrible decision and undoubtedly diminishes the competition. The FA must be tone deaf to think that people will shell out more money for TNT subscriptions.
Chris Benson
8mo
I think it's the wrong decision too. As a family we've watched more of the FA Cup than ever! I think the reputation of the FA Cup was fixing itself again, and then this announcement came :-( We don't know yet how many games will be free either.
Josh Harrington
8mo
I agree - what a shame, and how very short-sighted.
Charles Balchin
8mo
Feels like the wrong decision David….
CEO And Founder
8moDavid, as we know, we've been on all sides of this debate but I entirely agree with you and I can hand on heart say that I wouldn't have allowed this to happen whatever the money. In recent years, the FA has allowed certain round replays to go, rounds to be shunted to midweek and the PL soon to be selling the overseas rights. In short, they've lost control of the crown jewel and with little return (a multi-layered, winter break and an unannounced financial deal with the PL aside). As a midweek, non-replay, largely League competition, how is it going to differentiate from the Carabao Cup (which has the added benefit of being packaged with the EFL season game volume). An explanation of how The FA envisage the new landscape would help, but don't hold your breath.