The BBC is reviving the tradition of day-long FA Cup Final coverage as it gets set to bring fans dusk-to-dawn programming devoted to the climax of most romantic football competition in the world.
As it returns to covering the Wembley showpiece for the first time since 2008, the corporation has announced it will devote a whole day of programming to the 2015 FA Cup final, reviving the tradition of all-day coverage of English football’s most famous final.
The match on Saturday, May 30, sees holders Arsenal take on Aston Villa, which will be shown live on BBC One, with a mix of build-up and special programmes throughout the day, including special editions of BBC favourites Saturday Kitchen and TOTP2.
The BBC will deliver a whole day of FA Cup enjoyment and the corporation has promised that there will be “something for everyone” throughout the day with special content across BBC One, BBC Two, Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website until the main event kicks off at 5.30pm.
In the week leading up to the Cup Final, audiences will be given an insight into BBC presenter Gary Lineker’s perspective on the competition in a special BBC One documentary Gary Lineker On The Road To FA Cup Glory, airing on Tuesday, May 26 (10.45pm-11.45pm), then on the following night, fans can relive the story of this season’s FA Cup in The Road To Wembley, including contributions from Dynamo, Wretch 32, David Bradley, Rachel Riley and Benjamin Zephaniah (11.15pm-11.45pm).
Lineker will also guest host the famous news quiz Have I Got News For You the night before the Final at 9.00pm on BBC One (Friday, May 29).
On Cup Final day itself, BBC Breakfast (6.30am-10.00am, BBC One) will start the anticipation on TV with live reports from Wembley, bringing the early morning buzz of Cup Final day. Following this, Saturday Kitchen (10.00am-11.30am, BBC One) will give their own FA Cup twist to the popular food show.
Over on BBC Two, there’s the chance to relive a classic final of yesteryear in FA Cup Rewind (8.30am-9.30am) alongside a special edition of the children’s show MOTD Kickabout (9.30am-10.00am) and another chance to see Rio Ferdinand and Helen Skelton present the FA Cup 50 Greatest Moments (10.00am-12.00pm).
BBC Sport takes over BBC One with Football Focus (12.10pm-1.00pm), which sees presenter Dan Walker giving a unique perspective of Wembley Stadium as he become the first TV sports presenter to climb the famous Wembley arch.
Mark Radcliffe presents a special football-themed edition of TOTP2 with all the classic Cup Final songs and there’s another chance to see two documentaries – Gary Lineker on the Road to FA Cup Glory, The Road to Wembley and the popular FA Cup edition of quiz show Pointless.
Then from 3.55pm, Gary Lineker and guests including Alan Shearer and Dion Dublin then start the build-up to the main event as current holders Arsenal take on Aston Villa at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Sixty-four members of the Songs of Praise FA Cup fans’ choir will provide a different twist to the traditional pre-match song Abide With Me, before the match kicks off at 5.30pm, with commentary led by Guy Mowbray.
On radio, Mark Pougatch is live from Wembley for 5 live Sport on Radio 5 live. Mark and guests will be bringing all the colour and atmosphere from midday before John Murray, Alan Green and Chris Waddle commentate live on what will be the 134th FA Cup Final.
There’ll also be live text commentary from 0900-2200 with all the build-up, match action and reaction on the BBC Sport website.
This sits online alongside BBC Sport pundit Q&As from Wembley and fan votes throughout the day which includes the all-important Man of the Match vote at full-time – the first time supporters have chosen a Cup Final MotM.
BBC Sport social media accounts will also be asking fans to share their own trophy lifts throughout the day using #facuplift.
For those not able to catch the BBC live action, highlights of the game are on BBC One from 10.50pm that evening.
The live game and highlights programme will be available on BBC iPlayer for 30 days after and there’ll also be a 10-minute catch-up available on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer with the final and the best moments from this season’s competition.
In addition, BBC Three will get in on the FA Cup Final act by screening Truly Madly Wembley on Wednesday, June 2, (9.00pm-10.00pm), filmed on Cup Final day, which will tell the story of the day through the eyes of the fans, following all the trials, tears and tribulations of Arsenal and Aston Villa fans watching their teams on the big day.
Commenting on the BBC’s extensive multi-platform FA Cup Final output Danny Cohen, BBC’s Director of Television, says: “The BBC has delivered so much unique FA Cup programming to audiences since its return to BBC TV this season, it’s only fitting to end the competition on such a high.
“Devoting a whole day of content to the final, including special editions of Saturday Kitchen and TOTP2 shows just how important the event is to us and fans alike.
“As a passionate football fan myself, I can’t wait to watch the excitement of the day unfold across the BBC, it’s just a shame my team didn’t make it to Wembley!”
For further details of the BBC’s FA Cup Final day coverage, visit the BBC Media Centre website.
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| FA CUP FINAL DAY PROGRAMMING ON THE BBC |
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– BBC Breakfast (06:30-10:00, BBC One)
– FA Cup Rewind: Classic Finals (08:30-09:30, BBC Two)
– MOTD Kickabout (09:30-10:00, BBC Two)
– Saturday Kitchen ( 10:00-11:30, BBC One)
– FA Cup 50 Greatest Moments (10:00-12:00, BBC Two) rpt
– Fighting Talk (11:00-12:00, BBC Radio 5 live)
– Football Focus (12:10-13:00, BBC One)
– Gary Lineker on the Road to FA Cup Glory (BBC One, 13:00-14:00) rpt
– FA Cup TOTP 2 (14:05-14:30, BBC One)
– Pointless FA Cup Special (14:30-15:20, BBC One) rpt
– The Road to Wembley (15:25-15:55, BBC One) rpt
– MOTD LIVE: FA Cup Final – Build Up (15:55-17:15, BBC One)
– MOTD LIVE: ARSENAL v ASTON VILLA (17:15-19:50, BBC One)
– MOTD: FA Cup Final highlights (22:50-23:25, BBC One)
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