Sports bodies confirm commitment to free-to-air broadcasts and reinvestment in grassroots sport

They have also pledged that at least 30% of the net revenue derived from the sale of UK television broadcast rights is reinvested back into grassroots sport.

The Code ensures that sports events of significant national interest are all made available to free-to-air broadcasters in live, recorded or highlights form so that they can be viewed by the vast majority of the population and also guarantees that signatories will put a proportion of the money raised from broadcasting deals into the promotion of grassroots participation and activities.

Sir David Scott CBE, who chairs the committee which monitors the Code, says that the arrangement makes a valuable contribution to British sport.

“The Code achieves two important things. First, it makes the best sporting events available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Second, it makes clear the link between the success of these leading events and a healthy participation base by ensuring that at least 30% of the net revenue raised goes into the grassroots.

“In the most recent year, signatories compliant with the full Code reinvested over £127 million in grassroots sport. This represents a significant contribution to the development of their respective sports and reinforces the importance of the Code as a collective commitment by these organisations.”

“The Committee also welcomes the recognition of the Code in the Government’s new sports strategy Sporting Future as an important mechanism for securing reinvestment in grassroots sport. Government is keen to see more signatories to the Code and, to this end, the Committee – with support from the Sport and Recreation Alliance – will take forward work to review the Code including discussions with potential new signatories.”

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