Ofcom has given its consent to a request from Sky UK Limited (“Sky”) to broadcast exclusive live coverage of men’s cricket Test matches played in England between 2025 and 2028 (“the matches”).
Sky plans to broadcast live coverage of the matches on its Sky Sports channels. The BBC has acquired rights to show highlights of the matches, as well as rights to provide live radio commentary of the matches on BBC Radio 5 Live or BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
Cricket Test Matches played in England are designated as Group B listed events under the Broadcasting Act 1996 (“the Act”). Ofcom’s consent is needed to broadcast exclusive live television coverage of listed events under 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 broadcasters must be in different categories, and provide more information about what constitutes adequate secondary coverage. In this case, Sky’s Sky Sports channels are “non-qualifying services” for the purposes of the Act, while the BBC’s services are “qualifying services”.
Having considered the information supplied by Sky, and supplementary information provided by the BBC, Ofcom is satisfied that adequate provision has been made for secondary and radio coverage as set out above and has decided to grant ‘automatic’ consent to Sky’s request.