Ofcom has given its consent to a request from Sky to broadcast exclusive live coverage of the Ryder Cup in 2025.
Sky UK Limited (“Sky”) plans to broadcast live coverage of the Ryder Cup, which is scheduled to take place between 26 and 28 September 2025, on its Sky Sports channels.
The BBC has acquired rights to broadcast television highlights of the Ryder Cup on BBC One or BBC Two, as well as simulcast on BBC iPlayer. The BBC also has rights to provide live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, among other services.
The Ryder Cup is designated as a Group B listed event for the purposes of the Broadcasting Act 1996 (“the Act”). Sky therefore requires Ofcom’s consent to broadcast exclusive live television coverage of the Ryder Cup, in accordance with section 101 of the Act. However, where a second broadcaster, in this case the BBC, provides adequate secondary coverage of a Group B listed event, and rights to provide live national radio coverage have also been acquired, Ofcom can grant ‘automatic’ consent to broadcast without consultation.
Paragraphs 1.18 to 1.21 of Ofcom’s Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events set out that the services provided by the two broadcasters must be in different categories for the purposes of the Act and provide more information about what constitutes adequate secondary coverage. In this case, Sky’s Sky Sports channels are ‘non-qualifying services’ and the BBC’s channels are ‘qualifying services’. The BBC has confirmed that the rights it has acquired enable adequate secondary coverage to be provided, in line with the requirements of the Code.
Having considered the information supplied by Sky, and supplementary information provided by the BBC, Ofcom has decided to grant automatic consent to Sky’s request.