Test match cricket and most World Cup games are expected to become ‘unprotected’ by a change to the legislation that currently states they must be broadcast for free to terrestrial viewers. An advisory group appointed to assist Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Chris Smith in making the revisions published its recommendations on Friday.
The committee, which includes Jack Charlton, Steve Cram and Michael Parkinson, has recommended that two tiers of protection be drawn up; Group A, which would contain fully-protected events that will be shown for free on terrestrial TV, and Group B, which is described as secondary coverage protection. Group B events would be available in full on subscription channels as long as highlights or delayed coverage were featured on free-to-air, terrestrial channels.
The recommendations for the Groups are as follows:
Group A (Full Live Coverage Protected)
Olympic Games FIFA World Cup Finals (final, semi-finals and matches involving home nations) European Football Championships (final, semi-finals and matches involving home nations) FA Cup Final Scottish FA Cup Final Wimbledon (finals weekend only) The Grand National The Derby
Group B (Secondary Coverage Protected)
FIFA World Cup Finals (all matches not included above) European Football Championships (all matches not included above) FIFA World Cup Qualifying Matches Involving Home Nations European Football Championships Qualifying Matches Involving Home Nations Five Nations Rugby Tournament Rugby World Cup (final, semi-finals and matches involving home nations) Test Matches Involving England Cricket World Cup (final, semi-finals and matches involving home nations) Wimbledon (all play other than finals weekend) Commonwealth Games World Athletics Championship The Open The Ryder Cup
Chris Smith is considering the proposals and is expected to adopt them when he announces his decision in a few weeks’ time.
Department For Culture, Media & Sport: 0171 211 6275
