Picking FA Cup matches to broadcast can be a tricky business.
Do television stations take a gamble and broadcast a potential upset (like Lincoln City's win over Ipswich Town), or do they pick a glamour tie involving Premier League teams?
Over the past ten-years all FA Cup broadcasters in England have followed a simple rule. If Manchester United are playing, broadcast their match.
After Tuesday's games were completed, it was confirmed that United's match against former champions Wigan Athletic will be broadcast on BBC as one of their Fourth Round picks. That game will be the 56th consecutive Manchester United FA Cup match in a row shown live on British television.
Phew! Last night's FA Cup replay loss for Bolton means Man Utd are guaranteed a 56th consecutive live TV game in the FA Cup since 2005. pic.twitter.com/J9c50TyeJh
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) January 18, 2017
The run began in 2005, when the Third Round Replay between Alex Ferguson's side and Exeter City was broadcast on the BBC. Since then every match (including seven replays) have been on the national airwaves.
While all Sixth Round, Semi-Final and Final matches are broadcast live, no matter who is playing, some questionable and unexciting ties have been made solely on the fact of the game involving Manchester United.
After defeating Reading in the Third Round, the run only came to an end as a result of Crystal Palace defeating Bolton Wanderers. If Bolton won the Third Round Replay, BBC were to broadcast their Fourth Round tie against Manchester City.
Depsite their fall from grace in recent years, Manchester United still attract viewers on both terrestrial and satellite television.
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