Free-To-Air Sports TV List Deferred

A decision on the future of free-to-air sport television events to be shown in the future, including home England Ashes Test matches has been deferred until the completion of the UK digital switchover in 2013. 

In November 2009, an independent review was recommended, led by the former chief executive of the FA, David Davies.  On the proposed list, the Winter Olympics, rugby league’s Challenge Cup final and the Epsom Derby would disappear from the free-to-air list, with the Rugby World Cup, England’s World Cup qualification matches and the Ashes would be added.  At the time, the panel also recommended a secondary list of protected events, which must have highlights available as free-to-air, to be abolished.  The delayed announcement which was made on Wednesday means that the current list, last drawn up in 1998 will remain the same for the short-term at least.  This means, that Sky are likely to still hold onto the 2013 home Ashes series.  The last terrestrial broadcaster to hold live Ashes cricket on free-to-air was Channel 4 back in 2005.

It is caused a lot of concern and talk about the future of many sports.  For now at least, things will not change:

PROPOSED LISTED SPORTING EVENTS (As made by the panel in November 2009)

Olympic Games
FIFA World Cup finals
UEFA European Championship finals
Grand National
FA Cup final
Scottish FA Cup
Home and away football qualifiers for World Cup and European Championship Wimbledon Championship
Open golf championship
Cricket's home Ashes Test matches
Rugby World Cup

CURRENT LISTED SPORTING EVENTS (Last changed back in 1998)

Group A (Full live coverage protected)

Olympic Games
FIFA World Cup finals
European Football Championship finals
FA Cup final
Scottish FA Cup final (protected in Scotland)
Grand National Epsom Derby
Wimbledon tennis finals Rugby League Challenge Cup Final
Rugby World Cup final

Group B (Highlights only on free-to-air TV)

This secondary list would be scrapped.

England's home cricket Test matches
Other matches, excluding finals, at Wimbledon Championships
Other matches, excluding final, at Rugby World Cup
Six Nations matches involving home countries
Commonwealth Games
World Athletics Championships
Cricket World Cup - final, semi-finals and matches involving home nations
Ryder Cup
Open golf championship