Ex-football chief to head TV sports review

(GETTY IMAGES)

Former Football Association executive director David Davies was announced today as the head of a review into sporting events which must be broadcast for free.

The Broadcasting Act 1996 allows the Secretary of State to draw up a list of sporting and other events of national importance, with the aim of giving them the widest possible broadcast coverage.

The current list, which includes events like the Wimbledon Tennis Finals and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, was compiled in 1998, and the review will look into whether an overhaul is necessary.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said: "I am very pleased that David Davies has agreed to lead this review, given his depth of experience in both sport and broadcasting.

"The Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, when the whole nation came together to watch our fantastic medal success, showed just how important the broadcast of big sports events is.

"In a multi-channel age, they allow us to share a moment as a country."

The review will cover the principle of having a list; the criteria against which events may be listed; and the content of any list itself.

Mr Davies said: "My working life has been dominated by careers in broadcasting and sport, and I remain passionate about both.

"Twenty-two years in broadcasting gave me a diverse experience which enabled me to work ultimately at a senior level in news, current affairs and sports journalism.

"Then another 13 years inside sport itself confirmed to me how much the public cares about not just football but so many other sports too.

"I was proud to work closely with the British Olympic Association in the years leading up to the successful London bid for the Olympics.

"I remain first and foremost a sports fan. It was against this background that, when I was offered this opportunity, I found it irresistible."

He said he was going into the review "with an open mind" and it would be essential to recruit a panel from as wide a spectrum as possible.

"We will want to hear from the wider public as well as the various governing bodies and broadcasters," he said.

The current list is divided into two groups - group A which protects live coverage, and group B which protects highlights.

Group A (Full Live Coverage Protected):

The Olympic Games

The FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament

The European Football Championship Finals Tournament

The FA Cup Final

The Scottish FA Cup Final (in Scotland)

The Grand National

The Derby

The Wimbledon Tennis Finals

The Rugby League Challenge Cup Final

The Rugby World Cup Final

Group B (Secondary Coverage Protected):

Cricket Test Matches played in England

Non-Finals play in the Wimbledon Tournament

All Other Matches in the Rugby World Cup Finals Tournament

Six Nations Rugby Tournament Matches involving Home Countries

The Commonwealth Games

The World Athletics Championship

The Cricket World Cup - the Final, Semi-Finals and matches involving Home Nations' teams

The Ryder Cup

The Open Golf Championship