FA Cup TV Games

[westendspitfire]

Very predictable that all of the top 5 from the Premier League are on the tv with the token Cambridge v Leeds game on for the lower leagues.

Not one of them look capable of producing a shock result, the tv executives play it very safe, but I guess I would if my job was to get the viewing figures up!

[efcalan]

What a joke FA Cup is becoming just like the premier league one big money pit. They do all the build up for the 3rd round draw and the talk to non league members yet CBA to show them on tv.

So it will be a Saturday IF we beat Halifax? Did they change games to a Sunday 2pm for bbc in the 3rd round last season?

[nobadspitfire]

That's capitalism for you. The rich get richer & the poor fight for the scraps. However, it's BT Sport, a commercial company & the BBC showing games & both have a mandate to maximise audience figures. I can understand why they opt for the games involving Premier League teams, inevitable bigger audiences. But, what we have nowadays are HD cameras at (nearly?) all grounds so in the event of an outstanding game or result involving a lower league team against one of the bigger boys, the material is there for good quality footage for the highlights show. As we know, good money to clubs at L1 & below is to be made from a game being live in TV, but there are occasional downsides to that, e.g. game KO time changes. The FA Cup TV money is probably a drop in the ocean to Premier League teams, but I would have thought decent money is there for lower league clubs drawing the likes of M Utd (not Maidstone or Maidenhead) Arsenal, or Liverpool away, so Newport Co have every incentive to beat Plymouth in their replay.

[bomber]

Its more annoying when the BBC pick the premier league clubs. They don't have advertising revenue to worry them.

[nobadspitfire]

The BBC still have a duty at all times (imposed by the BBC Trust?-I'm not sure) to maximise their viewing figures. Yes, we find it dull & predictable that they do that, but there are not that many ties that look really good in the draw. At the moment, the local derby of Sutton Utd v AFC Wimbledon could be a cracker, but not to a nationwide/international (& that's where viewing figures can be phenomenal for games between Prem Lg sides) audience. Thinking more about it, these decisions are now probably being based on what can be earned internationally. At least our top sides don't have to play domestic league or cup games in another country (NFL & NBA). Yet!

[tenacres]

I'd have thought Sutton v AFCW would be a strong contender - both clubs famous for their FA cup achievements in the late 80s and a local derby as well.

Still I guess we know from last season that non league clubs may be high up the pecking order for TV games in rounds 1 & 2, but not so much in round 3!

[romseypete]

Man Utd on for 61st time live in a row, say no more

[unknownquantity]

I do not think there choices have been dominated by the Premier Division clubs as much as some people do. Four all Premier Division ties and only one chosen, and 6 of the 12 clubs on the box being outside the Premiership and the current Premiership leaders are not being shown.

Tottenham and Arsenal are both playing teams with an F A Cup history, and apart from being the holders Manchester United are playing against opponents where the manager is a prominent former player of theirs and so I am not surprised that these games are being shown.

More surprised with the choices of Liverpool an Leeds. Usually a championship club have to be playing opposition from the Premiership to be selected.