Ashes on free TV moves a step closer

By Robin Scott-Elliot ,

Cahal Milmo

Cahal Milmo is the chief reporter of The Independent and has been with the paper since 2000. He was born in London and previously worked at the Press Association news agency. He has reported on assignment at home and abroad, including Rwanda, Sudan and Burkina Faso, the phone hacking scandal and the London Olympics. In his spare time he is a keen runner and cyclist, and keeps an allotment.

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Sports News Correspondent

Tuesday 08 December 2009

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The prospect of Ashes cricket returning to free-to-air TV moved a step closer last night after the Government broadly accepted a "persuasive" set of recommendations made by David Davies' report into the future of the "crown jewels" of British sport on the small screen.

But England's cricket authorities nevertheless remain convinced they can maintain the status quo, which sees Sky enjoy exclusive rights to Test cricket in this country.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said they were "extremely pleased" following the publication of an initial consultation by Ben Bradshaw, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Mr Bradshaw has concluded that there should continue to be a protected list of events – the crown jewels – that must be shown on free-to-air television, but that a financial "impact assessment" should also be made.

It was the ensuing loss of income through much reduced TV rights, that most concerned the ECB.

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