Overview

This bill aims to expand the range of major sporting events that must be available for free-to-air television broadcast in the UK. It mandates the inclusion of specific cricket and rugby union matches to ensure wider public access.

Description

The Broadcasting (Listed Sporting Events) Bill requires the Secretary of State to add certain sporting events to the list of those that must be offered to free-to-air broadcasters for full live coverage. This is done using powers already available under the 1996 Broadcasting Act. Specifically, the bill mandates the inclusion of:

• Cricket Test matches played in the United Kingdom.
• Six Nations rugby union tournament matches involving home countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland).

The bill applies across the entire United Kingdom and comes into effect immediately upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The cost will likely depend on the negotiations between the government and broadcasters regarding the rights to show these events, but no figures are provided within the bill itself.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Free-to-air broadcasters: They will be required to bid for and potentially pay for the rights to broadcast these events. If they do not the government will likely have to step in and pay for the rights.
• Pay-TV broadcasters: Their market share could be affected by increased competition from free-to-air channels.
• Sporting bodies: They could receive increased revenue if the rights fees from free-to-air broadcasters are higher than current arrangements. This may also increase the value of the rights for pay-TV channels.
• The public: Increased access to major sporting events on free-to-air television.

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