Which Events Merit A Listing?

Mark Fisher, the broadcasting minister, has launched a public consultation document on what criteria should be used to decide whether sporting events merit a ‘listing.’ Viewers’ organisations, sports bodies and broadcasters are being consulted in the first stage of the Government’s review of the current lists of events for which live TV coverage must be made available on free-to-air channels.

Suggestions for additions to or deletions from the current list will be sought once criteria are established. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Fisher said: “We support the principle of listing events, but a balance has to be struck. We do not want to unfairly deprive the holders of broadcast sports rights of income which is used for the benefit of players and fans, or to deny the important role subscription broadcasters have played in bringing more sports coverage than ever before to our television screens.”

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