Written question asked by Fiona Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 November 2000. It was answered by Janet Anderson (Labour) on Monday, 6 November 2000 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, If he will take steps to ensure access to Premiership and national football matches through terrestrial television channels. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mrs. Fiona Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to ensure access to premiership and national football matches through terrestrial television channels. [135354] Janet Anderson: The Government only intervene in the sports broadcasting market to ensure that all television licence holders have "free to air" access (i.e. on BBC, the ITV Network or Channel 4) to those sporting occasions which have true national resonance; known as "listed events". The list was last revised and extended in 1998 and will be kept under review. As far as national team football is concerned, the entire finals tournaments of both the World Cup and European Championships are listed. Premier League football is not listed because, while the Premiership is of great interest to football fans, it does not strike a chord with the general viewer in the same way as the events which are listed.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 356 c53-4W; 135354
Session: 1999-00
Question not reached: Yes
Subjects: Broadcasting Football Television Satellite broadcasting Listed events
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk