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<p>The Government believes that certain sporting events of national interest should
be shown on free-to-air television so that they can be enjoyed by as wide an audience
as possible.</p><p>We want to ensure that as viewing habits change and technology
evolves the regulatory framework remains fit for purpose.</p><p>The listed events
regime works effectively for traditional linear broadcasting by prohibiting the broadcast
of exclusive rights of an event on the list without prior consent from Ofcom. The
current list is divided into two categories (Group A and Group B) and where rights
holders make an event available, full live coverage must be offered for purchase to
qualifying channels for events in Group A. Group B events may have live coverage on
subscription TV provided that secondary coverage or highlights are offered for purchase
to qualifying broadcasters. However, no rights holder can be compelled to sell its
rights, and no broadcaster can be compelled to acquire rights.</p><p>In our Broadcasting
White Paper, we announced our intention to make qualification for the listed events
regime a PSB-specific benefit. This will more clearly enshrine the important role
our PSBs play in distributing important and valuable content to UK audiences. The
Government will introduce this legislation when Parliamentary time allows.</p><p>Our
Broadcasting White Paper also confirmed our intention to undertake a review to look
at whether the scope of the listed events regime should be extended to include digital
rights. The Government is speaking to stakeholders to look at whether in the face
of technological change, the objectives of the existing regime are still being met
and whether digital rights should be included in the regime. The review will need
to balance the ability for audiences to watch national sporting events at no additional
cost with the ability for sporting organisations to generate revenues from sports
rights to re-invest in their sports at all levels.</p><p>The Terms of Reference for
the review can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/listed-events-digital-rights-review"
target="_blank">here.</a></p>
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