As part of the new agreement with the FA, the commercial public service broadcaster will continue to televise the first pick of FA Cup games from the 2012-13 to 2013-14 seasons; along with a host of other matches. In total, ITV will broadcast up to 16 live games across each season in addition to comprehensive highlights from every round.

ITV will also continue to be the free-to-air home of England internationals including all home qualifying games for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and all home and away friendlies during the two year period. The English football season’s traditional curtain raiser, The FA Community Shield, will additionally return to free-to-air television in 2012 and 2013 under the new deal.

ITV will also extend its commitment with the FA across the two seasons to encompass live coverage of six games from the FA Youth Cup on ITV4. The Guardian reports the FA’s new deal with ITV is worth £90 million over the two years. The broadcaster's current £275 million four-year contract was due to expire at the end of this season and was signed at the height of the TV rights boom in 2007.

Stuart Turner, FA Group commercial director, said: “Having the FA Cup and England alongside other ITV content such as the UEFA Champions League and World Cups shows that our football content holds its own in exalted company. It further confirms ITV's position as the home of free-to-air live football.” ITV’s director of television, Peter Fincham, added: “The FA Cup and England internationals are events with huge resonance and appeal for our viewers.”