Television executives are grappling with a significant scheduling issue due to the FA Cup draw. The BBC and ITV, who share the coverage, aim to distribute the four quarter-final matches across Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30.

Although ITV has first choice in this round, both broadcasters may need to request the Premier League to rearrange games the following midweek. The Football Association has stated they will collaborate with the Premier League to address the scheduling problem, while the broadcasters will make a decision amongst themselves within the next 48 hours.

All four ties are set to be broadcast live on the weekend of Saturday, March 29, but currently, none can be moved to Sunday, March 30, due to various conflicts with a full Premier League programme on Tuesday, April 1, Wednesday, April 2, and Thursday, April 3.

The Premier League only revealed their live TV fixtures for April last Friday, resulting in a major headache following the FA Cup draw.

While some flexibility was factored in for European commitments, the FA Cup was not scheduled. Sky and TNT Sports are both slated to broadcast live Premier League games that midweek, and any changes could potentially impact their TV ratings.

Bournemouth are scheduled to play on Tuesday, April 1, and they host Manchester City in the FA Cup. Fulham are at Arsenal on the Tuesday and they host Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.

Preston are set to host Aston Villa in the FA Cup, with Unai Emery's squad scheduled to face Brighton in the Premier League on Tuesday, April 1. Brighton have also secured a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

This creates a logistical headache for both television broadcasters and the Premier League, as the weekend was initially reserved for FA Cup matches.

The FA Cup has proven immensely popular this season, drawing large audiences for Manchester United's penalty shootout loss to Fulham on Sunday, while City's victory over Plymouth was a significant ratings success on ITV4.

This article first appeared on The Mirror.