Scottish Cup Fourth Round: BBC Coverage with Andy Burke, Tom English and Tony Docherty

The Scottish Cup Fourth Round takes centre stage on Saturday, 17 January 2026, with extensive coverage across the BBC's platforms. Andy Burke presents proceedings across multiple channels including BBC One Scotland HD, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Scotland, the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Scotland Online, with expert analysis from Tom English and Tony Docherty. The programme, titled 'Open All Mics', provides comprehensive coverage of the day's action across all BBC channels, ensuring Scottish football supporters have multiple options to follow their favourite teams.

BBC One Scotland HD remains the traditional home for major Scottish Cup coverage, offering viewers the full broadcast experience with professional production values and extensive match analysis. The channel's dedicated coverage of the Scottish Cup Fourth Round represents the broadcaster's commitment to showcasing Scottish football at its finest. Meanwhile, BBC iPlayer extends this service to digital audiences with geo-restricted access for licence fee payers, allowing flexibility for those who cannot watch live television. For radio enthusiasts, BBC Radio Scotland provides comprehensive match commentary and expert discussion, whilst the BBC Sounds app offers the same audio experience through modern streaming technology. BBC Sport Scotland Online rounds out the BBC's coverage, ensuring fans can follow events through their preferred digital platform.

Andy Burke brings extensive experience to his presenting duties. Burke has established himself as a respected voice in Scottish football broadcasting, known for his knowledgeable and engaging presentation style. His ability to navigate complex match situations and extract meaningful insights from expert analysts has made him a popular choice for high-profile Scottish Cup fixtures. Burke's role across multiple platforms demonstrates the BBC's confidence in his ability to deliver consistent, quality presentation regardless of the broadcast medium.

Tom English joins as expert pundit, bringing considerable credibility to the analysis desk. English has built a distinguished career in Scottish football commentary and analysis, developing a reputation for incisive tactical breakdown and informed perspective on the Scottish game. His contributions to BBC Sport Scotland have been widely praised, and his presence alongside Burke provides viewers and listeners with authoritative analysis of the day's Fourth Round matches. English's deep knowledge of Scottish football, combined with his clear communication style, makes him particularly valuable during knockout competition coverage when tactical nuance and team form become paramount.

Tony Docherty completes the expert panel. Docherty brings practical football experience to his analysis, with a background that gives him unique insight into the Scottish game. His perspective as someone who understands football from both playing and coaching angles adds substantial value to the coverage. Docherty's contributions help bridge the gap between technical analysis and match reality, explaining not just what happens on the pitch but why teams make particular decisions. His presence reflects the BBC's strategy of combining different types of expertise to provide comprehensive coverage.

The Scottish Cup Fourth Round represents a crucial stage of one of world football's oldest competitions. The format at this stage features matches between various Scottish clubs across different levels, creating compelling storylines as lower-league teams potentially face top-flight opposition. The competition has proven consistently popular with Scottish audiences, and the BBC's extensive multi-platform coverage reflects the importance placed on ensuring as many people as possible can follow the action.

The 'Open All Mics' programme format suggests an expansive approach to coverage, likely featuring multiple matches and comprehensive discussion of Fourth Round developments. This format allows BBC Sport Scotland to provide supporters with full context of the round's outcomes whilst maintaining focus on individual fixtures. The breadth of platform coverage—from traditional television through radio to digital streaming—demonstrates modern broadcasting strategy, where major sporting events are covered across integrated media platforms to maximise audience reach.

For those unable to access BBC One Scotland HD's live broadcast, the alternatives offer genuine flexibility. BBC iPlayer provides catch-up viewing and simultaneous streaming for licence fee holders within the UK, whilst BBC Radio Scotland's audio commentary offers comprehensive coverage for those on the move or without television access. The BBC Sounds app extends radio coverage to mobile and tablet users, reflecting how modern audiences consume content. BBC Sport Scotland Online provides text commentary, statistics and analysis for those following matches whilst at work or unable to access traditional broadcast platforms.

The combination of Burke's presentation expertise, English's analytical depth and Docherty's practical football knowledge creates a formidable commentary team. This trio has worked effectively across BBC Sport Scotland coverage previously, and their collaboration on Fourth Round coverage suggests audiences can expect professional, engaging analysis throughout the day. The multi-platform approach ensures that geographical location, access to television, or personal preference for radio or digital streaming should not prevent Scottish football supporters from enjoying comprehensive Scottish Cup coverage.

The Scottish Cup Fourth Round has traditionally produced memorable moments throughout the competition's long history, and BBC Sport Scotland's decision to deploy significant resources for comprehensive coverage reflects the round's importance in the football calendar. Whether watching on BBC One Scotland HD, streaming via iPlayer, listening on BBC Radio Scotland or BBC Sounds, or following online through BBC Sport Scotland, supporters have never had better access to watch the Fourth Round unfold. The presence of experienced broadcasters like Burke, English and Docherty ensures that regardless of which platform viewers choose, they will receive professional, informed coverage of what promises to be an exciting day of Scottish Cup football.