Have your say in TV sport debate

Sports keen licensees are being urged to have their voices heard in a debate about the future of major sporting events on terrestrial TV.

A government consultation is underway to discuss which major national events should be saved for free-to-air television.

And licensees are being encouraged to speak up to ensure that events they can currently screen free of charge remain protected.

John Grogan MP, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, is organising a meeting of interested parties to discuss the issue.

"There is a potential coalition here to help keep the crown jewels and pubs could play an important part in that," he said.

It is understood the English FA has been told by FIFA it would have a better chance of hosting the 2018 World Cup if not all games were broadcast on terrestrial TV because of the money available from the likes of Sky.

But some licensees fear more sports going to satellite broadcasters could hit their profits.

Phillip Taylor, of the Kings Head in Loddon, Norfolk, stopped using Sky after prices went up last year.

He said: "Everything involving England should be on terrestrial. We invented football, cricket and horse racing and now we have to pay to see them.

"It would make a massive difference to my business to have more sport available to watch for free."

A 12-week consultation on the list, which was last reviewed in 1998, started last week.

Former FA chief David Davies has been appointed by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham to review the list.

Davies said: "The panel has already some lively debates on the issues raised in the consultation and we are very much looking forward to having access to the views of many people who we know feel passionately about this subject."

Visit www.culture.gov.uk​ to have your say.