Major change to ITV coverage before FA Cup final as TV bosses look to give fans blockbuster day of sport
ITV are planning to move the Epsom Derby to an earlier slot in order to broadcast it immediately before the FA Cup final, according to reports.
The terrestrial broadcaster is the home of UK racing, with the Derby one of its biggest events.
Since 2015 it has been shown at 4:30pm in order to try and gather as big an audience as possible.
This year it is set to take place on Saturday, June 3 – the same day as the FA Cup final.
With ITV going up against the BBC, who also hold rights to the FA Cup final, they reckon that showing the Derby immediately beforehand could help retain viewers for the football.
The Cup final kick-off time has yet to be confirmed by football chiefs.
Manchester City play Sheffield United in the first semi-final this Saturday, with Manchester United taking on Brighton in the second on Sunday.
The final kick-off time will depend on who wins – with factors such as travel being taken into account.
Last year’s final kicked off at 4:45pm, and according to the Mirror, the Epsom Derby could be moved to an earlier 4pm slot in order to get straight to the football afterwards.
Along with Cheltenham and the Grand National, the Derby is one of the biggest events on ITV’s extensive racing schedule.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
The terrestrial channel recently confirmed that they have secured exclusive rights to UK racing through to the end of 2026.
This year will mark the first time that the FA Cup final has ever been played in June.
The mid-season World Cup pushed the usual schedule back by a number of weeks, with the Champions League final not taking place until June 10.
While the 2020 FA Cup final was also pushed back, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was not played until August 1.