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FA Cup deal sees BT Sport extend 4K Ultra HD coverage from 2018 onwards

Live rights to FA Cup games will continue to be held by the BBC and BT Sport for another three years, with BT Sport broadcasting more games than before. 

From 2018/19 onwards, BT will exclusively show up to 30 matches from rounds 1-5 of the competition, with a number of matches being broadcast in 4K on BT’s flagship Ultra HD sports channel, as well as being streamed through the BT Sport apps. 

While the majority of games will be shown on TV by BT, the BBC’s coverage will extend to Radio 5 Live reports and live updates delivered through the new personalised BBC My Sport apps. Coverage of the FA Cup final will be shared by both broadcasters. 

Related: BT Sport Ultra HD’s 5.1.4 future plans sound greatDetails of BT Sport’s 4K HDR trials emergeBT TV and BT Sport managing director Delia Bushell said: “We will continue to support the FA with more live matches and ground-breaking Ultra HD and digital coverage. 

“BT Sport audiences are up nearly 50 per cent this season which demonstrates how popular our coverage has become with sports fans. We’re proud to be the only place to follow all the best football competitions: The FA Cup, Premier League, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.” 

The new deal also sees an enhanced commitment to women’s football from both the BBC and BT Sport. The BBC will provide coverage of the Women’s FA Cup final, one England Women’s friendly match per season alongside additional live matches and The FA Women’s Super League highlights, as well as international qualifiers. 

BT Sport will remain the exclusive live broadcaster of The FA Women’s Super League and from 2018 will show both Women’s FA Cup semi-finals exclusively live, the Women’s FA Cup Final and England Senior Women’s home friendlies. 

Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport says: “We are delighted to retain the rights to broadcast the most famous domestic cup competition in the world on free to air TV. The renewed deal will bring audiences closer to the action than ever before via an innovative digital offering across all platforms and showcase our commitment to the women’s game. FA Cup coverage on the BBC will continue to unite the nation through must see sporting moments, captivating audiences of all ages.” 

The BBC also says it will work with ‘key BBC brands’ to raise the profile of the FA People’s Cup while BT Sport will continue as the home of FA Development football, covering England U17, U19 and U21 matches live while investing an unspecified sum in grassroots women’s football. 

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