Free-to-air Events
Thursday, 3 April 2025
Contributions
Seamus Logan (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East) (SNP)Scottish National Party
4. If she will have discussions with Ofcom on extending the list of events designated as free to air.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)Labour
We believe the current list of events works well and strikes an appropriate balance between access and allowing sports to maximise broadcasting revenue. The Government have no plans to review the list at this time.
The BBC has secured an exclusive contract to broadcast live all of Scotland’s men’s international football matches in the run-up to the 2026 world cup. It is part of a wider deal agreed with the European governing body UEFA, which also includes matches for Northern Ireland and Wales. On Friday night, the BBC will provide extensive live coverage on several platforms of Scotland’s women’s team playing Germany in the nations league at Tannadice stadium in Dundee. I am sure the Minister will join me in wishing them well, but will she also consider taking steps to safeguard these events for free-to-air broadcasters, so that our nations can enjoy them without paying expensive subscriptions?
I join the hon. Member in wishing the team well. As I outlined in my first answer, the whole point of the regime is to strike a balance. We want sport to be accessible while recognising the importance that broadcasting revenue plays.
Source: UK Parliament Hansard API. Debate ID: 4890008.