BSkyB has applied for Ofcom consent to broadcast exclusive live coverage of cricket test matches played in England in 2006-2009.
This is a Group B Listed Event which means that the rights to broadcast highlights must have been offered to broadcasters providing services in the other category from BSkyB, as specified in the Broadcasting Act 1996 i.e. BBC1, BBC2, Channel 4 and ITV1. Although Five's coverage is growing, it does not at present fully satisfy the qualifying criteria for this category which are that the service must be provided free and be received by at least 95% of the UK population. The rules which apply are set out in the Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events (revised January 2002).
In the case of the cricket test matches Ofcom understands that the highlights rights were offered to broadcasters in the other category from BSkyB, and that they declined to take up the opportunity. In this event, Five would be free to show the highlights and Ofcom believes that this would be in viewers' best interests.