The BBC’s pop-up streaming ‘FA Cup Channel’ returns for football’s oldest club cup competition as it heads into the fifth round matches.
Football fans can watch two additional live matches on BBC iPlayer for the FA Cup’s fifth round, as well as the games that will be shown on BBC One, making iPlayer the perfect place to experience the magic of the FA Cup.
On Tuesday evening iPlayer will stream West Bromwich Albion vs Newcastle live, as well as Chelsea vs Liverpool from BBC One, and on Wednesday will stream Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City live as well as BBC One’s coverage of Sheffield Wednesday vs Manchester City.
All four matches will be streaming live on The FA Cup Channel, a special pop-up channel that’s returning to iPlayer for the FA Cup’s fifth round. The BBC One matches will once again offer fans the ability to choose between the commentary from BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live or to watch the match with no commentary at all.
As well as the live games the channel will feature classic ties from the past between the clubs set for fifth round fixtures, including Chelsea’s 4-2 victory over Liverpool in 1997 and Manchester City’s 2-1 result against Sheffield Wednesday in the third round in 2007. Each day will feature all the goals from that day, plus a look at classic moments from the fifth round in years gone by.
Steve Rudge, BBC lead executive, football at the BBC, says: “The FA cup roars back into action for this mid-week fifth round, and it’s great to have the FA Cup channel back for it with two extra games. There’s nothing like watching live football, and we’re thrilled that West Brom, Newcastle, Spurs and Norwich fans can watch their teams live as well as those who’ll be watching the BBC One coverage.
“Once again, the FA Cup Channel gives football fans far more FA Cup action than they could ever get on our linear channels, plus the added bonus of Des Lynam back on the box for the 1997 match between Chelsea and Liverpool.”
Dan McGolpin, controller of BBC iPlayer, says: “We’re really pleased that the FA Cup pop-up channel is returning to iPlayer after proving such a success in the last round. With the addition of some extra live matches plus all of the goals and some classic games from the past, BBC iPlayer is the perfect place to experience the magic of the FA Cup.”
FA Cup Channel – Tuesday
4pm – FA Cup Fifth Round Rewind (Part One)
5pm – MOTD Classic: 1997 Fourth Round: Chelsea 4-2 Liverpool (full programme with Des Lynam presenting)
7pm – FA Cup Live: Preview Show
7.30pm – MOTD Live: West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United (8pm kick-off) / BBC One Chelsea v Liverpool 7.45pm kick-off (plus highlights of Reading v Sheffield United 8pm kick-off)
10pm – FA Cup Live: Post-Match Show – subject to change
10.30pm – FA Cup Fifth Round: Goals Loop
FA Cup Channel – Wednesday
4.30pm – FA Cup Fifth Round Rewind (Part Two)
5.30pm – FA Cup Archive: 2007 Third Round: Manchester City 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
7pm – FA Cup Live: Preview Show
7.30pm – MOTD Live: Tottenham v Norwich (7.45pm kick-off) / BBC One Sheffield Wednesday vs Manchester City 7.45pm kick-off (plus highlights of Leicester City vs Birmingham City 7.45pm kick-off)
10pm – FA Cup Live: Post-Match Show – subject to change
10.30pm – FA Cup Fifth Round: Goals Loop