The loss of protected status for live Tests, which guarantees that games are shown on BBC, dismayed fans. But the England and Wales Cricket Board welcomed the move after lobbying hard for the right to sell their coverage to the highest bidder. Chris Smith, the Culture Secretary, said he still expected a ``substantial'' amount of live coverage of cricket to be carried on free-to-air terrestrial television.
He told the board that it was ``on trust'' to deliver its promises and said he would review the listed criteria if at least half of the Test matches every year, normally six, were not earmarked for the mass channels. ``They have very firmly and publicly stated that their intention is to see substantial coverage of Tests on terrestrial television. I reserve the right to come back if they fail in their part in executing that trust. I would be disappointed if roughly half of Test match cricket was not live on terrestrial television.''
The prize games on the cricketing calendar will be placed on a new B list, allowing subscription broadcasters to bid for exclusive coverage rights, provided there are satisfactory arrangements for secondary coverage of highlights by a terrestrial broadcaster. Mr Smith said the new list would ensure that terrestrial broadcasters had good access to secondary coverage even if satellite and cable stations won the primary rights. ``I have asked the Independent Television Commission to consider setting a minimum acceptable standard for such secondary coverage, to include some combination of delayed full coverage, highlights and live radio commentary,'' said Mr Smith.
In a big boost for football, the Culture Secretary, said that the European Football Championship Finals, the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final and the Rugby World Cup Final would be added to the list of fully protected events. He said he also wanted to make sure that the qualifying matches in the World Cup and European Championships received protected status and that discussions with UEFA and other countries to ensure this had already begun.
Glen Hoddle, the England coach, warmly welcomed the package. He said: ``I'm delighted when the biggest possible audience sees England's vital matches. Any plans to ensure that happens in the future I welcome. I know it is what the fans want and so do I.''
David Davies, the Football Association's public affairs director, said the announcement was a ``timely boost on the eve of an important World Cup match, which will be seen live by millions of viewers in their own homes.''
This is the revised A-list of events. The Olympics, the football World Cup finals, FA Cup final, Scottish FA Cup final, the Grand National, the Derby, Wimbledon finals, European Football Championships finals, Rugby League Challenge Cup final and Rugby World Cup final.