BSkyB exclusive for world cup cricket

The ITC have received a request from BSkyB for consent to broadcast live and exclusive coverage of the Cricket World Cup in 2003.
Rules for television coverage of listed events are set out in the ITC Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events (revised January 2002). Part of the World Cup - the final, semi-finals and matches involving home nations' teams - is a 'Group B' Listed Event. This means that a satellite channel may broadcast exclusive live coverage if highlights or deferred coverage are available on a free-to-air channel with national coverage of the UK (i.e. ITV1, Channel 4, BBC1 or BBC2), or if these channels have been given a genuine opportunity to acquire the highlights or deferred coverage rights.
In the case of the Cricket World Cup the ITC understands that none of the free to air channels with national coverage are interested in broadcasting highlights or deferred coverage. Under the Code, in principle Sky may therefore broadcast exclusive live coverage of this event.
(GB)