BT Sport to show Bradford FA Cup quarter-final free to air after BBC snub

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/feb/18/bt-sport-bradford-fa-cup-bbc

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The FA Cup giant-killers Bradford will get their chance to play in front of a national TV audience after BT Sport announced plans to broadcast their quarter-final against Reading on free to air television.

The League One side have already beaten the Premier League sides Chelsea and Sunderland in the last two rounds, but neither match was shown on live television.

All quarter-final matches will be broadcast, and although the BBC will not show Bradford’s home match against the Championship side Reading, fans will be able to see it live on BT Sport, who have announced the game will be free for non-subscribers to watch, on its website or on BT Sport 1 when it is kicks off on Saturday 7 March at 12.45pm.

The BBC defended itself amid a tide of criticism after opting not to show Bradford’s fifth round tie, which ended in a famous 2-0 victory for the home side, on Sunday, saying they had to choose before Gus Poyet’s men disposed of Fulham in a fourth round replay.

The head of BT Sport, Simon Green, said: “This will be the second time that BT Sport have shown Bradford City in this year’s FA Cup and because Bradford City have been very passionate about the UK seeing their amazing club run, BT Sport have decided to make the game against Reading available to everyone to watch, online, via BT TV and Sky.”

The BBC will broadcast the Midlands derby between Aston Villa and West Brom at Villa Park at 5.30pm on Saturday 7 March, and the game between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday 9 March at 7.45pm.

FA Cup quarter-finals

Saturday, 7 March Bradford v Reading (12.45pm) BT Sport 1; Aston Villa v West Brom (5.30pm) BBC1

Sunday, 8 March Liverpool v Blackburn (4pm) BT Sport 1

Monday, 9 March Manchester United v Arsenal (7.45pm) BBC1