PSBs push government to expand crown jewels list

Public service broadcasters are attempting to persuade the government to expand the list of televised sport’s free-to-air crown jewels, according to a report in The Guardian.

Three years ago, Barbara Slater (then director of sport at the BBC) made moves to add the Six Nations to the crown jewels list, which was rejected at the time. Now several Labour MPs are said to be working with broadcasters to once more try to add more events to the list.

The Six Nations is broadcast on free-to-air by the BBC and ITV in a deal that runs through to 2029. Once this deal comes to an end, fears are that Sky Sports, TNT Sports or one of the streaming services might outbid the free-to-air broadcasters. 

The Six Nations is currently on the group B list of games, which allows live games to be behind a paywall if highlights are available on free-to-air.

Free-to-air broadcasters, backed by a group of Labour MPs, are aiming to get the Six Nations moved to the A list, meaning public service broadcasters must be given the chance to buy the rights as a reasonable price. 

They are also pushing to get the home nations’ men’s and women’s international qualifiers for the World Cup and European Championship, one Champions League tie involving a British team from each round of matches and the men’s FA Cup onto the A list.

The Guardian reports that the issue is likely to be raised in public at the culture, media and sport committee, alongside private lobbying of ministers.

The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 would all benefit from any expansion of the crown jewels.

Now the crown jewels include the Olympics and Paralympics, men’s and women’s World Cups and European Championships, the FA Cup and Scottish FA Cup finals, Wimbledon finals, the rugby union World Cup final and rugby league’s Challenge Cup final, the Grand National and the Derby.