To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of the public interest in ensuring plurality in (a) the broadcasting of sports rights and (b) the supply of digital multi-channel television. (134483)

The information is as follows:

(a) It is Government policy to ensure that key sporting events can be made available to all television viewers. Therefore some events are protected by law as “listed events”. Beyond these arrangements, sports bodies are free to sell their rights to whomever they please, subject to competition law.

(b) The Government believe there is a strong public interest in securing a dynamic and competitive market for broadcasting—including digital TV—in the UK. This was one of the key policy objectives underpinning the Communications Act 2003.