FA Cup Review Show: January 12, 2026 – Global Coverage with Katie Shanahan and Adam Smith

The FA Cup Third Round reaches its climax on Monday, January 12, 2026, with Liverpool's clash against Barnsley taking centre stage at 7:45 PM GMT. Following this fixture, the FA Cup Review Show will air at 7:00 PM GMT on the world feed, providing comprehensive coverage and analysis of the weekend's dramatic cup action. This special review programme will be distributed globally across multiple streaming platforms and international broadcasters, ensuring fans worldwide can catch up on all the excitement from what has been an unpredictable third round.

The world feed presentation will be anchored by respected broadcasting professionals Katie Shanahan and Adam Smith, who will guide viewers through the highlights, talking points, and standout performances from across the competition. Joining them in the studio will be expert pundits Adebayo Akinfenwa and Aaron McLean, who will provide insightful analysis of the matches that have captured the nation's imagination.

UK Broadcasting: TNT Sports Dominance

In the United Kingdom, the FA Cup Third Round has been dominated by TNT Sports and discovery+ throughout the weekend, with the BBC providing limited free-to-air coverage. The shift represents a significant change in how the competition is broadcast domestically, as ITV has exited the FA Cup entirely for the 2025/2026 season, marking the end of an era for the channel's involvement in the world's oldest club competition.[1] The BBC continues to show selected matches on a non-exclusive basis, with two matches from each round airing on BBC One, but TNT Sports has firmly established itself as the primary broadcaster.[4]

The Monday evening fixtures, particularly Liverpool v Barnsley, are being shown on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+, with the match scheduled for 7:45 PM GMT.[1] The FA Cup Fourth Round Draw will follow immediately after on the same channels and the TNT Sports Football YouTube channel, allowing supporters to discover which teams have progressed to the next stage of the competition.[6]

Global Streaming Access

The FA Cup Review Show's distribution network reflects the competition's global appeal and the proliferation of international broadcasting rights. Viewers across North America can access the coverage through ESPN+ in the United States, which is the exclusive rights-holder for all FA Cup matches in America.[4][5] The platform's comprehensive offering ensures that football enthusiasts across the Atlantic can stay fully informed about developments in English football's premier knockout competition.

In Australia, Stan Sport provides dedicated FA Cup coverage, continuing the platform's commitment to showcasing elite football competitions to antipodean audiences.[4] This represents a significant distribution channel for international viewers keen to follow the dramatic storylines emerging from English football during the third round.

The review show will be particularly valuable for those unable to catch the full live coverage of matches throughout the weekend. With eight matches broadcast across BBC and TNT Sports platforms, plus numerous additional fixtures available exclusively on discovery+, the volume of content has been substantial.[1] The comprehensive review programme, presented by Shanahan and Smith with punditry from Akinfenwa and McLean, will distil the essential moments, surprising results, and standout individual performances into an accessible package for international audiences.

Meet the Presentation Team

Katie Shanahan brings extensive experience in sports broadcasting to her presenting role. With a background spanning major sporting events and football coverage, Shanahan has established herself as a knowledgeable and engaging presenter capable of handling the nuances of detailed match analysis and wider tournament context.

Adam Smith is an accomplished commentator and presenter known for his authoritative coverage of football across multiple platforms and competitions. His experience in capturing the drama and technical elements of football matches makes him an ideal co-presenter for a comprehensive review show that requires both narrative engagement and analytical depth.

The addition of Adebayo Akinfenwa as a pundit brings a distinctive perspective to proceedings. The former striker, who played for numerous Football League clubs during a lengthy playing career, offers insights grounded in practical experience at the level where many third-round participants compete. Akinfenwa's background provides valuable context for understanding the aspirations and challenges faced by teams in the lower divisions who contest the FA Cup.

Aaron McLean completes the punditry duo with his own rich experience in English football. As a former professional footballer who played in the Football League, McLean understands the mindset and tactical approaches that teams employ in cup competitions, particularly when facing opposition from higher divisions.

A Dramatic Third Round

The FA Cup Third Round has delivered the unpredictability for which the competition is renowned. Wrexham's penalty shootout victory against Nottingham Forest, winning 4-3 after a 3-3 draw, exemplified the drama that defines the tournament.[1] Numerous other encounters across the weekend have produced compelling narratives, from established Premier League sides facing stern tests to lower-league teams implementing their own ambitions of progression.

The review show will provide essential context for these moments, dissecting not only the results but the performances, tactical approaches, and individual contributions that determined outcomes. For viewers unable to watch all the matches live, the comprehensive review with Shanahan, Smith, Akinfenwa, and McLean will ensure they understand the key developments that will shape the Fourth Round draw taking place immediately after the programme concludes.

International Reach and Accessibility

The distribution across beIN Connect platforms in the Middle East and New Zealand ensures regional audiences maintain engagement with English football. Similarly, coverage on Disney+ in Brazil and South America, alongside Sportsnet+ Premium in Canada, demonstrates the global commercial infrastructure supporting the FA Cup. The availability on MONOMAX in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, and through Astro GO in Southeast Asia, reflects the competition's penetration into Asian markets.

For viewers in these regions, the world feed presentation with Shanahan and Smith provides a consistent, internationally-focused perspective on the Third Round action. This approach ensures that supporters globally receive balanced, comprehensive coverage without regional bias, allowing them to form their own judgments about performances and results.

The January 12, 2026 review programme represents a culmination of the Third Round's excitement and a prelude to the Fourth Round draw that will generate fresh storylines and matchups. Through multiple platforms and broadcasters worldwide, football supporters will have unprecedented access to professional, detailed analysis of one of sport's most compelling knockout competitions.