Government Should Act On Sports Say MPs

Two out of three MPs want new regulations to be introduced to the Broadcasting Bill to ensure that major sporting events continue to be shown on terrestrial TV channels, according to a new MORI survey.

Overall, 69% of MPs support regulation with 23% opposed. Conservative MPs support regulation by 48% to 37%. Opposition MPs are overwhelmingly in favour by 92% to 8%. The survey shows however that there is confusion over what the existing legislation means: while most MPs understand that existing legislation does not protect sporting events from being bought up exclusively by satellite subscription channels, one in four MPs believed that there was protection under the 1990 Broadcasting Act.

The first test for the Government on sporting events comes in the House of Lords tonight, when an all-Party group of Peers will move amendments to the Broadcasting Bill. These amendments will ensure that the eight listed events have to be seen on terrestrial television. They will also ensure that where a satellite subscription channel buys up exclusive coverage of other non-listed events, the right to TV highlights and live radio rights have to be sold onto mainstream channels.

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