Sky Television has dismissed BBC suggestions that the British Government should increase the number of 'blue riband' sports events screened live on terrestrial channels.

At a meeting with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, BBC chiefs urged the Government to add soccer's European Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Five Nations Championship and the Ryder Cup to the list of events only available on terrestrial television.

The 1994 Commonwealth Games were screened on satellite TV

A spokeswoman for Sky dismissed the BBC's claims and argued that Sky had as good a reason as any to screen major sporting events.

"We always welcome an opportunity to put our points across about listed sports events and what Sky can contribute to sport in general," she said.

"We obviously talk to all influential bodies and we feel we have got an incredibly strong case to make in view of what we have done over the last five years and the revolution in sport and broadcasting."

Some restrictions already exist

Satellite channels are currently prevented from bidding for eight 'crown jewel' events: the soccer World Cup, the English and Scottish FA Cup finals, the Olympics, Wimbledon, the Grand National, the Derby and domestic cricket Tests.

Live coverage of the last two Ryder Cups has only been screened on satellite television, while three of England's four matches in this season's Five Nations rugby championship will only be seen live by subscribers to Sky Sports.

Many UK viewers were dismayed that coverage of the Ryder Cup was limited

The 2002 Commonwealth Games will take place in Manchester and the BBC has asked the Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, to ensure live coverage of the event will be available on terrestrial television.

The BBC, which has also lost events such as the FA Cup final and the Cheltenham Festival to rival terrestrial stations, is keen to keep its place as a major sports broadcaster in this country.

In its defence the BBC has pointed to viewing figures which illustrate that major sporting occasions screened on satellite television attract only a fraction of the audience for similar events available to all on terrestrial channels.

The Euro 96 semi-final between England and Germany was watched by 23.8m people on BBC and ITV, compared to the 3.8m they claim saw the Italy-England World Cup qualifying match live on Sky earlier this year.

Public criticism

The BBC and ITV have come under mounting criticism in recent years for allowing satellite television to buy up many of the country's major sporting events.

Live Premiership and Nationwide League football, overseas cricket Tests, rugby league and union's league competitions and the Ryder Cup are only available to those prepared to subscribe to Sky's three sports channels.

The chief executive of BBC Broadcast, Will Wyatt, said: "For sports administrators, the lure of high revenues from subscription services is seductive but they ignore the mass audiences delivered by terrestrial channels at their peril.

"Some sporting moments belong to everyone," he said. "We believe it would be mistaken to run the risk of excluding the bulk of the British public from sharing these big sporting occasions."
 

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