Written question asked by Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 4 March 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 March 2020. It was answered by John Whittingdale (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 March 2020 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Rugby: Listed Events

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with Six Nations Rugby Limited and their representatives on their tournaments’ listing under the terms outlined in Part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996.

Answer: I have had no such discussions with Six Nations Rugby Ltd or their representatives. The Government is clear that the existing list works well, and strikes the right balance between retaining free-to-air sports events for the public, and allowing rights holders to negotiate agreements in the best interests of their sport. The Government has no current plans of undertaking a review of the list, or of moving the Six Nations from the category B list to the category A list. As a Group B event, live coverage of the Six Nations Rugby tournament may be broadcast by a subscription television service provided that secondary coverage is offered to the eligible free-to-air broadcasters.

Secondary information