162. Listed events.

Legislation has existed in the United Kingdom since 1981 aimed at securing 'free' public access to sports and other events deemed to be of national importance1. The Broadcasting Act 19962 now empowers the Secretary of State to designate key sporting and other events as 'listed events'3. The purpose of these arrangements is to ensure that key sporting and other events are available to all television viewers, particularly those who cannot afford the extra cost of subscription television4. The Act restricts the acquisition by television programme providers