Davies to lead TV review
Former Football Association executive director David Davies will lead a review of protected sporting events which must be available on free-to-air television.
Davies was named by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham as the man tasked with overhauling the list, which currently includes, amongst others, the World Cup finals, the Olympics and the Wimbledon final.
Davies, who also worked on the successful London 2012 Olympic bid, said: "I go into the review with an open mind, and well aware of a rapidly changing broadcasting landscape, with both free and pay channels competing."
The review will cover the principle of having a list, the criteria against which events may be listed and the content of any list itself.
The current list was drawn up in 1998 and contains two groups, the first of which must be available live and the second of which must have at least highlights provided.
Group A also contains the likes of the soccer European Championship, the Grand National and the Rugby World Cup final, while the Open Golf Championship, home England cricket Tests and the Commonwealth Games are among those contained in Group B.
Davies added: "It will be essential to recruit a panel from as wide a spectrum as possible, and certainly to ensure that the views of all the nations that make up the UK are represented.
"We will want to hear from the wider public as well as the various governing bodies and broadcasters. I have been asked by the Secretary of State to act speedily and intend to do so."
