Government defer ruling on FTA sports
July 22, 2010 · 0 Comments
The government has deferred a decision on sport’s listed events until after the digital switchover process in 2012.
The previous administration commissioned an independent review, headed by the former Football Association executive director David Davies, which had recommended in November 2009 that the Ashes cricket series return to free-to-air television, along with England’s World Cup home and away qualification matches, the Open golf championship, Wimbledon and the Rugby World Cup.
Hugh Robertson, the sports and Olympics minister said “I fully support the principle of protecting major sports events for free-to-air coverage.”
“But with digital switchover concluding in 2012, this will result in the widespread availability of a significantly increased number of television channels, many of which will be free to air.
“Add to this the BBC’s strategy review, which will cover sports rights, and the Ofcom pay TV review, and the broadcasting context for this decision is increasingly unclear.”
He added: “The current economic climate also points to us not making a decision at this time which could adversely impact on sport at the grassroots. I have therefore decided to defer any review until 2013, when we will look at this again.”
The decision means that the existing sports ‘crown jewels’ list, drawn up in 1998 will remain in force.
Tags: BBC, FTA, Government, Sports
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