Grade Speaks For Public Access Sport

Chief executive of Channel Four Michael Grade told the heritage select committee yesterday that the government should protect more sporting events from being grabbed by subscription-only satellite channels. Events such as the Grand National and Wimbledon were in danger, he said, as he gave evidence in the committee’s enquiry into the BBC’s future.

Grade also warned of the dangers of ads on BBC TV and radio which he felt would force station closures due to competition for ad revenue.