HC Deb 17 June 1998 vol 314 cc233-5W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the estimated viewing figures for television audiences for sporting events on(a) terrestrial and (b) satellite television which were taken into account by the advisory group on de-listing which reported to him in March. [46052]

Mr. Chris Smith

For the events included in the consultation exercise carried out last year, the Advisory Group on Listed Events took the following figures into account in making its recommendations to me (the figures are in millions, and averaged where necessary):

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
(b) Satellite
England Football Internationals—qualifying matches — — — — 1.67 n/a
England Football Internationals—friendlies — — 1.29 1.37 1.52 n/a
England One-Day Cricket Internationals — — — 0.23 0.21 n/a

Audience ratings figures, although important, are not necessarily an accurate guide to the national importance of sports events. Guided by the criteria for listing that I announced last November, the Advisory Group took a number of other factors into account for each event that it considered:

  • the significance of the event to those who do not usually follow the sport concerned;
  • the position of the event on the national calendar;
  • whether the event is pre-eminent in its sport;
  • whether it involves a national team or participants;
  • whether the event has a history of being broadcast live on free-to-air services;
  • the practicality of live coverage of the event on general channels;
  • the availability of secondary coverage;
  • the effects of listing the event on the sport concerned and on the broadcasting market.

Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the European Commission over the listing of sporting events for terrestrial television. [46050]

Mr. Chris Smith

If it is to be recognised by other Member States, a national list of events protected for transmission on free-to-air television in a European Union Member State must be in accordance with Article 3A of the European Commission's 'Television Without Frontiers' Directive (number 89/552/EEC as amended by Directive 97/36/EC). I shall inform the Commission of any changes to the list when I announce my decisions. Meanwhile, my Department has discussed informally with the Commission how the revised regulatory framework proposed by Lord Gordon's Advisory Group might be applied in accordance with Article 3A.

Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to make a final decision on the listing of sporting events for terrestrial television. [46051]

Mr. Chris Smith

I shall announce my decision shortly.