Beeb and Sky share television deal

Last updated : 10 July 2003 By Luke Thornhill
The rights deal agreed with the Football Association will also see the Community Shield and Women's FA Cup final broadcast.

Each broadcaster will show one live match in the first and second round of the FA Cup, with three matches per round from the third until the sixth will be shown on BBC, with one on Sky Sports.

A semi-final will be shown on each channel, with the final shown live on both.

All senior England mens internationals will be live on the BBC - including qualifying for the 2006 World Cup and 2008 European Championships, with Sky Sports showing senior women's internationals, and all ages groups from U21 down.

FA Chief executive Mark Palios said: "We are delighted to be renewing our partnerships with both BBC and BSkyB. Both broadcasters have given us fantastic support in the past two years and we are looking forward to cementing our excellent relationships for a further period.

"The deal is an important step in the process of providing financial stability to The FA. It also enables much greater access to top quality football for an even larger number of people."