ITV Award O21 FA Cup Contract

ITV Sport has awarded outside broadcast provider O21 Television the contract to deliver outside broadcast facilities for the FA Cup and England internationals.
On selecting O21 Television for the contract, which commences this August, Mark Sharman, ITV Director of News and Sport, said: "We have worked with O21 many times previously and they always deliver high quality broadcasts. Their experienced crew work to any challenge and they are an important partner for this new work."
The FA Cup, which is likely to be shot in high definition, will be covered using Units 8, 7 and 6 together with a new Presentation Unit, which is currently in production and due in the New Year. Warren Newbert, O21 Television's Chief Operating Officer, commented: "O21 is thrilled to have won the contract to deliver the outside broadcast facilities for the FA Cup and England coverage on ITV. We are enhancing our resources constantly with equipment upgrades and new builds to ensure we stay ahead of the game and deliver an outstanding service for our client."
The FA Cup consists of approximately 16 live outside broadcasts and seventeen highlight games per season. The third, fifth and sixth rounds have two live large OBs and up to three highlight OBs and ITV will cover one semi-final as well as the final, which next year, will be on May 30 after the UEFA Cup and Champions League finals.
Coverage will also include every home England qualifier for the World Cup 2010 starting with England v Kazakhstan at Wembley on October 11, as well as selected internationals.
(KMcA/JM)