The voluntary code, initiated by CCPR, codifies the key TV broadcast rights owners’ commitment to ensure that their events are generally available on free-to-air television in the UK (in live or recorded form) while securing the best possible financial return for their sport. The code also commits the governing bodies to reinvest at least 5% of their broadcasting revenue in grassroots development.
The signing of the code comes after two years of work by the Sports Broadcast Monitoring Committee, a sub-committee of CCPR’s Major Spectator Sports Division, which has consulted all rights owners regarding the reinvigoration and updating of a similar agreement originally drawn up in the mid-1990s.
The code extends beyond the Government’s ‘Listed Events’, which will be separately reviewed by a panel chaired by David Davies later this year, and includes numerous key sporting events which are not covered by the Government’s list.
Charles Flint QC, Chair of the Sports Broadcast Monitoring Committee, said:
“Major sporting events bind us together as a nation, and it’s crucial that, wherever possible, the general public can watch them. It’s also crucial for the development of sport that broadcasting deals represent good value for money for governing bodies. The voluntary code strikes the right balance between audience and revenue, and comes after two years of dialogue involving sport and media experts.
“On top of this, the voluntary commitment to reinvest a minimum percentage of broadcasting revenue into the future development of sport will guarantee a steady stream of funding into grassroots sport in the years ahead. This is particularly important as sport begins to feel the effects of the recession.
“The committee that I chair is monitoring signatories’ compliance with the code, and has scrutinised all their current broadcasting deals. I can confirm that both the spirit and the letter of the code are being fully upheld across sport and, in fact, the signatories are actually reinvesting significantly more than 5% of their broadcasting revenue in grassroots sport. Sports governing bodies have come together to self-regulate for the benefit of sport at all levels and the general public, which has to be a good thing.”
ENDS
Notes:
CCPR is the umbrella organisation for 280 national governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the UK, which speaks and acts to promote, protect and develop the interests of sport and physical recreation at all levels.
Please download the full text of the voluntary code.
The signatories to the code are the All England Lawn Tennis Club / Lawn Tennis Association (joint), the England and Wales Cricket Board, The Football Association, the Premier League, the PGA European Tour, The R&A, the Rugby Football League and UK Athletics.
Examples of major sporting events covered by the code include one day and Twenty20 cricket internationals, the FA Cup, the Ryder Cup, PGA European Tour tournaments, the Rugby League Challenge Cup, five major national and international athletics events and the Wimbledon Championships.
The Sports Broadcast Monitoring Committee was reconstituted in 2006 and consists of an independent chair, representatives from sports rights owners, CCPR, and independent members with specific areas of expertise. Administrative support is provided by CCPR.
