TNT Sports finds viewers more drawn to FA Cup than Premier League matches
TNT Sports' data shows the FA Cup third round outperformed its Premier League broadcasts in viewership, with Brighton's upset over Manchester United drawing 876,000 average viewers. The figures underline the competition's strong pull despite criticism over its subscription‑only rights.
TNT Sports has revealed that the third round of the FA Cup generated higher television audiences than any Premier League match it has aired this season, underscoring the knockout tournament's enduring allure for British football fans. The data, obtained by The Guardian, shows that Brighton & Hove Albion’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United on 10 January attracted an average audience of 876,000 and reached 2.1 million viewers who watched for at least three minutes. At the time of the Old Trafford kick‑off, the match captured almost 10 % of all TV viewers in the United Kingdom.
Why the FA Cup still beats the league on TV
The FA Cup’s appeal lies in its reputation for surprise outcomes and the chance for lower‑league clubs to face top‑flight opposition. This season’s third‑round fixtures were broadcast live on TNT Sports and its streaming service Discovery+, with 22 ties shown across the day. Combined, those games drew close to five million viewers, a figure that dwarfs the typical audience for TNT’s Saturday lunchtime and mid‑week evening Premier League fixtures, which have struggled to break the half‑million mark.
Critics have long argued that moving the competition from free‑to‑air broadcasters BBC and ITV to the subscription‑based TNT Sports would erode its reach. However, the latest numbers suggest the cup’s draw remains robust, especially when matches are scheduled outside the traditional 3 p.m. Saturday blackout imposed by UEFA’s Article 48. Late‑day kick‑offs, such as the Brighton‑Manchester United clash, allow fans to watch live without breaching the blackout, and they appear to boost viewership.
Broadcast arrangements and shared coverage
TNT Sports secured a four‑year deal that grants it exclusive live rights to every FA Cup tie that does not start at 3 p.m. on a Saturday. To comply with the blackout, the agreement also includes a sub‑licensing arrangement with the BBC, which continues to show a selection of matches free to air. For the third round, the BBC aired 14 ties, including two from each round up to the semi‑finals. Its biggest audience came from the Aston Villa versus Tottenham Hotspur game, which peaked at 3.1 million viewers and reached 6.5 million people who watched for at least three minutes.
Other standout performances included Macclesfield Town’s shock 2‑1 win over defending champions Crystal Palace, which averaged 1.8 million viewers and reached 4.2 million. These figures illustrate the value of later kick‑offs and the appetite for underdog stories that the FA Cup uniquely provides.
What’s next for the competition
The fourth round begins on Friday, 22 January, with eleven ties slated for live broadcast. TNT Sports will lead the coverage, while the BBC will continue its shared schedule, showing high‑profile matches such as Hull City versus Chelsea and Wrexham versus Ipswich Town. The BBC has also chosen to air Villa’s clash with Newcastle United on Saturday evening and Chelsea’s trip to Hull on Friday, ensuring that the most compelling fixtures remain accessible to a broad audience.
As the tournament progresses, the viewership battle between the FA Cup and the Premier League will likely intensify. Early data suggests that the cup’s capacity to generate drama and surprise may continue to outshine regular‑season league matches, especially when games are aired at times that avoid the blackout and attract casual viewers.
Implications for broadcasters and the football calendar
For TNT Sports, the strong FA Cup numbers provide a compelling argument for the value of its subscription model. The network can leverage the data to negotiate future rights deals, potentially expanding its sports portfolio or adjusting pricing strategies. Meanwhile, the BBC’s continued involvement through sub‑licensing helps preserve the competition’s free‑to‑air presence, a factor that many fans and regulators consider essential for maintaining the sport’s accessibility.
The FA’s decision to sell the cup to a pay‑TV operator remains a point of debate, but the current audience figures suggest that the competition’s brand strength can survive the shift. If viewership holds steady or grows, it may set a precedent for other domestic tournaments seeking premium‑pay broadcasters.
Overall, the early stages of the 2024‑25 FA Cup have demonstrated that, despite the Premier League’s global dominance, the historic knockout cup still commands a significant share of the UK’s television audience, especially when matches are scheduled to maximise live viewing opportunities.
Why it matters
The viewership gap highlights the FA Cup’s unique draw and could influence future broadcasting rights negotiations for both the cup and the Premier League.
Key points
- Brighton’s 2-1 win over Manchester United attracted 876,000 average viewers, the highest for any TNT Sports broadcast this season
- FA Cup third‑round matches on TNT and Discovery+ reached almost five million viewers combined
- BBC’s free‑to‑air coverage still delivered strong audiences, with Villa‑Tottenham peaking at 3.1 million
- Later kick‑offs outside the 3 p.m. blackout boost viewership for both subscription and free‑to‑air broadcasters
- Fourth‑round fixtures will continue the rivalry between TNT Sports and the BBC for audience share
Frequently asked questions
Why did the FA Cup attract more viewers than Premier League games on TNT Sports?
The cup’s knockout format, surprise results and later kick‑off times that avoid the 3 p.m. blackout make it more appealing to casual viewers than regular league fixtures.
How many FA Cup matches were shown live on TNT Sports in the third round?
Twenty‑two third‑round ties were broadcast live on TNT Sports or its streaming platform Discovery+.
What role does the BBC play in the current FA Cup broadcasting deal?
The BBC receives a sub‑licence from TNT Sports to show 14 third‑round matches and a selection of ties in each subsequent round, keeping key games free to air.
Will the viewership trend affect future rights negotiations?
Strong audience numbers give TNT Sports leverage in future negotiations and may encourage the FA to retain or expand pay‑TV arrangements.
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