 |
Andrew StunellWorking hard for Bredbury, Compstall, Great Moor, Hawk Green, Hazel Grove, Heaviley, High Lane, Marple, Marple Bridge, Mellor, Offerton, Romiley, Rose Hill, Strines & Woodley since 1997 |
 |
Parliament backs local MP's campaign to keep cricket free
February 1, 2006 6:44 PM
Today Andrew Stunell MP's campaign to keep test match cricket on free TV received the support of a Parliamentary Committee who have criticised the Government and cricket bosses for failing to ensure that some live cricket would remain on free-to-air television.
Responding to the report, Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:
"They have backed my view that it is shameful that there will be no longer be any live coverage of domestic cricket on our free TV channels. The resurgence of English cricket following our incredible Ashes victory should be welcomed and encouraged. Instead cricket is being made less accessible.
"Today's report shows that the Government clearly made some mistakes, and cricket fans across the country will suffer as a result.
The Culture Media and Sport Select Committee Chairman, John Whittingdale MP, said:
"The failure of the Government, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the terrestrial broadcasters to ensure that the next Ashes series is at least in part broadcast free-to-air has rightly enraged many fans and players at every level of the game.
"Having originally made clear that they considered that the loss of all free-to-air live broadcasting would be unacceptable, the Government is culpable for standing by and doing nothing to intervene."
According to Mr Stunell, the problems started with the collapse of a 1998 'gentlemen's agreement' where cricket was moved from the protected A-list of sporting events to the B-list on the understanding that the majority of live Test cricket would remain on free-to-air television. The ECB and the Government have since backtracked on this, letting down millions of sports fans as coverage was sold off wholesale top BSkyB.
Mr Stunell added: "I am calling for the Sports Minister to have a meeting with cricket bosses and the major broadcasters to find a way for at least some Test match cricket to be aired on free television over the next few seasons." ENDS
Notes to Editors: For more details of today's report, see: http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/culture__media_and_sport/cms050131.cfm
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats
-
Help out or donate
-
Tell us what you think