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BBC funding deal will force sport off screen, says Chris Bryant BBC funding deal will force sport off screen, says Chris Bryant
(35 minutes later)
Major sporting events will be forced off the BBC as a result of the government’s planned restructuring of its funding, it has been claimed.Major sporting events will be forced off the BBC as a result of the government’s planned restructuring of its funding, it has been claimed.
The shadow culture secretary Chis Bryant said that the changes, which will see the BBC take responsibility for the cost of free television licences for the over-75s, will represent a real-terms cut in its funding, citing Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) figures.The shadow culture secretary Chis Bryant said that the changes, which will see the BBC take responsibility for the cost of free television licences for the over-75s, will represent a real-terms cut in its funding, citing Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) figures.
That, he claimed, would mean that the BBC was less able to bid for events such as the Rugby World Cup and the Olympic games. The corporation recently lost out in the battle for rights to the 2020 Olympics to US broadcaster Discovery.That, he claimed, would mean that the BBC was less able to bid for events such as the Rugby World Cup and the Olympic games. The corporation recently lost out in the battle for rights to the 2020 Olympics to US broadcaster Discovery.
Related: BBC spending to be cut by 20% in real terms over five years, says OBRRelated: BBC spending to be cut by 20% in real terms over five years, says OBR
“The OBR says that the shabby little behind the stairs deal that the secretary of state cooked up this week for the licence fee represents another 20% cut in real terms to the BBC. That’s not a cold bath, it’s a prolonged period in the deep freeze,” Bryant said during a debate in the House of Commons on Thursday.“The OBR says that the shabby little behind the stairs deal that the secretary of state cooked up this week for the licence fee represents another 20% cut in real terms to the BBC. That’s not a cold bath, it’s a prolonged period in the deep freeze,” Bryant said during a debate in the House of Commons on Thursday.
“Isn’t it the case that, when sports rights inflation is running into double digits, this BBC settlement means the secretary of state is effectively forcing sport off the BBC?“Isn’t it the case that, when sports rights inflation is running into double digits, this BBC settlement means the secretary of state is effectively forcing sport off the BBC?
“Doesn’t he realise that sport belongs to the fans, not to BSkyB, BT or Discovery? And the fans will be furious if the BBC can no longer compete for these important sports rights.”“Doesn’t he realise that sport belongs to the fans, not to BSkyB, BT or Discovery? And the fans will be furious if the BBC can no longer compete for these important sports rights.”
Just asked @JWhittingdale why he is forcing sport off the bbc with his shabby behind stairs deal giving 20% cut in real terms.Just asked @JWhittingdale why he is forcing sport off the bbc with his shabby behind stairs deal giving 20% cut in real terms.
The culture secretary John Whittingdale insisted that, while they may not be shown on the BBC, the Ofcom code on listed sporting events would ensure that the biggest will still be shown free-to-air.The culture secretary John Whittingdale insisted that, while they may not be shown on the BBC, the Ofcom code on listed sporting events would ensure that the biggest will still be shown free-to-air.
He said that Bryant was ignoring “the contribution of other public service broadcasters”, adding: “Every single match of the Rugby World Cup will be shown free on ITV and that Channel 4 have developed their racing coverage”.He said that Bryant was ignoring “the contribution of other public service broadcasters”, adding: “Every single match of the Rugby World Cup will be shown free on ITV and that Channel 4 have developed their racing coverage”.
Related: BBC dealt another blow after losing control of TV rights for OlympicsRelated: BBC dealt another blow after losing control of TV rights for Olympics
One independent expert said he largely agreed with Whittingdale’s assessment. Toby Syfret, the head of TV at Enders Analysis said: “I don’t think sport is at any particular risk that it would not have been if this deal had not been struck.”
He said that Whittingdale was right to point out the distinction between the markets for big ticket sporting events that broadcasters can charge for and ones protected by Ofcom’s rules.
The former, he said, was largely irrelevant because the BBC has not been a player for years. And the Ofcom regulations ensure that sporting events in the latter case will be aired for free, whether on the BBC or another public broadcaster, Syfret added.
The government announced its intention to place the extra financial burden on the BBC on Monday. It emerged that the corporation had agreed a deal with ministers behind closed doors.The government announced its intention to place the extra financial burden on the BBC on Monday. It emerged that the corporation had agreed a deal with ministers behind closed doors.
BBC director general Tony Hall said it would be paid for by extra revenue as the Treasury would allow the BBC to raise by raising the licence fee cost in line with inflation. The OBR’s analysis seemed to contradict Lord Hall’s claim.BBC director general Tony Hall said it would be paid for by extra revenue as the Treasury would allow the BBC to raise by raising the licence fee cost in line with inflation. The OBR’s analysis seemed to contradict Lord Hall’s claim.
And there have been concerns that plans to decriminalise non-payment of the licence fee – which Whittingdale confirmed were on the table as part of the broader review process – would further weaken the BBC’s hand.And there have been concerns that plans to decriminalise non-payment of the licence fee – which Whittingdale confirmed were on the table as part of the broader review process – would further weaken the BBC’s hand.