Proposals to keep 'crown jewel' sports free on streaming services

The UK government is proposing new legislation to ensure that major sporting events, such as the World Cup, remain accessible to the public without requiring a paid subscription. This initiative aims to prevent "crown jewel" sports from being exclusively available on pay-per-view streaming services or catch-up platforms. The proposed rules would designate certain high-profile sporting competitions as events that must be offered on free-to-air television channels. This measure is intended to protect public access to national sporting heritage and prevent a scenario where significant sporting moments are only viewable by those willing to pay subscription fees. The legislation is expected to be debated and potentially enacted in the coming months, with a focus on maintaining broad viewership for events of national importance. The government's proposal follows concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding the increasing trend of sports rights moving to paid streaming platforms, potentially limiting access for a significant portion of the population.