My Shout: Murdoch's TV sport grip may weaken

One of my abiding memories of 2008 will be arriving at King's Cross at half-past eight on a July evening. As my taxi sped through the London streets I noticed every pub was packed with people watching television. In the end I felt compelled to join them and watch the last few minutes of the Wimbledon final between Nadal and Federer.

Earlier this summer, some of the capital's more enterprising pubs decked their establishments in the colours of one or other of the participants of Euro 2008 — with those choosing Spain proving particularly far-sighted and profitable.

Three forthcoming key decisions by regulators, politicians and judges will shape the future of watching sport in pubs in Britain.

Nick Bish and his team at the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers have played a blinder in persuading Ofcom (the communications regulator) to consider commercial as well as domestic consumers as part of its current competition investigation into the pay TV market.

They have seized on Ofcom's own research, which indicates that while almost nine out of 10 household subscribers to Sky are satisfied with the service they receive, less than half of commercial subscribers feel the same.

The obvious remedy for Ofcom is to insist that the Setanta sports package becomes available on all platforms — not just Sky. A decision is expected before the turn of the year.

Meanwhile, Culture, Media & Sports minister Andy Burnham has promised a review in 2008/2009 of the listed events that must be made available to free-to-air TV at a "fair and reasonable price".

For me, the argument that some national and international events, such as the football and rugby World Cups, should be available free-to-air for all the population is as valid in a digital world as it is in an analogue world.

Finally, in about 12 months' time, the European Court in Luxembourg will reach a decision in a couple of well-publicised cases concerning the use of foreign satellite equipment and decoders in pubs.

Already, uncertainty has led to a suspension of prosecutions in cases involving broadcasts from other European Union countries.

All in all, Rupert Murdoch's stranglehold on sports broadcasting in British pubs looks slightly less secure than it appeared to be 12 months ago.

John Grogan is Labour MP for Selby