Ashes Set For Terrestrial TV Return
The panel reviewing the structure of the Listed Events TV rules is reported to be set to recommend that the government ensure that live coverage of the next cricket Ashes series returns to a free-to-air terrestrial channel.
This summer’s Ashes was only shown live on pay-TV broadcaster Sky but will be broadcast on terrestrial television when the England-Australia series returns to the UK in 2013 if the panel’s reported recommendations are upheld by the government.
The speculated move follows a review of the Listed Events ruling – designed to ensure that certain high-profile sports events are available to the widest possible TV audience – led by David Davies, the former Football Association executive, the full details of which are due to be published imminently.
A peak of just two million viewers watched this summer’s deciding Test at the Oval when it was broadcast on Sky. By contrast, more than 7m viewers watched the conclusion of the previous home Ashes series on Channel 4 in 2005.
The expected ruling is likely to anger Sky executives, who acquired the rights to screen the next home Ashes series as part of a £300m deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last year.
