UK: free-TV channels want an update of the list of events which must be broadcast free-to-air

A group of free TV channels in the United Kingdom have asked the government to reduce the threshold of the available population that a channel must reach to have access to events of major importance (the "Crown Jewel events" in the UK), according to the daily the Telegraph, on 14/02/2017. The current access threshold for an event to reach mandatory broadcast on free-to-air is 95% of the population, while more and more viewers consume television via mobile platforms.

"The legislation on which broadcasters qualify (for "Crown Jewel events") was written many years ago in an analogue era and must be updated to avoid it becoming defunct. Rather than risk the abolition of Listed Events ‘by the back door’, Government and Parliament should act to deliver a regime fit for the digital era and ensure that our great sporting moments continue to be available to everyone," said Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, on 14/02/2017.

Sir David Clementi, chairman of the BBC board since 16/02/2017, had requested a revision of the list of "Crown Jewels events", during his hearing before the Culture…