Ashes to stay on Sky... For now

The decision on whether the England home Ashes Test matches will be available on free-to-air TV has been deferred until 2013.
Sports and Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said today that the government will wait until after the Digital Switchover is complete before making a decision.
A review in 2009 suggested that 'crown jewel' sporting events should be on free to air television. These included The Ashes, England's World Cup home and away qualifiers, The Open golf championship, Wimbledon and the Rugby World Cup.
Robertson stated today...
"I fully support the principle of protecting major sports events for free-to-air coverage."
"But with digital switchover concluding in 2012, this will result in the widespread availability of a significantly-increased number of television channels, many of which will be free to air.
"Add to this the BBC's strategy review, which will cover sports rights, and the Ofcom pay TV review, and the broadcasting context for this decision is increasingly unclear." "If we were to make a decision now we'd almost certainly have to review after digital switchover."
PROPOSED LISTED SPORTING EVENTS
Olympic Games
Fifa World Cup finals
Uefa European Championship finals
Grand National
FA Cup final (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)
Scottish FA Cup (Scotland)
Home and away football qualifiers for World Cup and European Championship (listed only in home nation to which they relate)
Wimbledon Championship (in its entirety)
Open golf championship
Cricket's home Ashes Test matches
Rugby World Cup tournament
Wales matches in Six Nations (in Wales only)
CURRENT LISTED SPORTING EVENTS
Olympic Games
FIFA World Cup finals
European Football Championship finals
FA Cup final
Scottish FA Cup final (protected in Scotland)
Grand National
Epsom Derby
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