UK Government Proposes Keeping Major Sporting Events Free on Digital Streaming

The UK Government has proposed new legislation to ensure “crown jewel” sporting events remain free to watch on digital streaming and catch-up services. According to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the plans update the 1996 listed events regime to prevent on-demand rights from being sold exclusively to subscription streaming platforms.

Why is the UK updating sports broadcasting laws?

The DCMS introduced these plans as part of a media green paper to bring the 1996 listed events regime into the digital age. Under the previous rules, on-demand rights could be sold to subscription services, potentially limiting free access to catch-up content.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated that many families currently rely on on-demand services in the mornings to follow events like the World Cup due to late-night kick-offs. Nandy said these changes ensure streaming rights for major events must be offered to public service broadcasters.

According to Nandy, this move helps public service broadcasters compete and ensures the public does not miss “history-making sporting moments” regardless of how or when they choose to watch.

Did You Know? The current regime governing these protected sporting events was originally established in 1996.

Which sporting events are protected under these rules?

The proposed regulations cover events that have historically been part of the free-to-air scope. These include the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup, the FA Cup final, the Grand National, and the Wimbledon finals.

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The decision to extend these protections to digital and on-demand content follows a report by the DCMS Select Committee. While there was pressure to include the Six Nations rugby championship, the government decided not to expand the current list of protected events.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that by updating the delivery method rather than the list of events, the government is prioritizing the accessibility of existing “crown jewels” over the expansion of the protected category. This suggests a focus on adapting to consumer streaming habits rather than redefining which sports hold national significance.

What happens next for streaming rights?

If the proposed legislation is adopted, public service broadcasters could see a strengthened position when competing for the digital rights of major tournaments. This may prevent a shift where the most significant sporting moments are locked behind subscription paywalls for on-demand viewing.

A possible next step involves the formalization of the media green paper into law, which would mandate that digital and catch-up rights for the listed events be offered to free-to-air broadcasters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which events are included in the free-to-air protections?
Historically, these include the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, the Wimbledon finals, the FA Cup final, and the Grand National.

Will the Six Nations rugby championship be added to the list?
No. Despite pressure to include the championship, the government has decided not to expand the current list of protected events.

Who proposed these changes and why?
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) proposed the changes following a DCMS Select Committee report to ensure digital and catch-up rights remain accessible for free.

Do you think more sporting events should be added to the protected free-to-air list?