Broadcasting (Replacement of Provisions) Act 2021

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1 Definitions

In this Act, a “Home Nations team” is an international sport team representing any of the following territorial units:

1. England
2. Scotland
3. Wales
4. Northern Ireland
5. The island of Ireland
6. Great Britain
7. The United Kingdom

2 Repeal

2020 c. 21 (“An Act to make new provision on digital television broadcasting, and to amend the Broadcasting Act, 1996 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 2006 for that purpose.”) is repealed.

3 Availability of broadcast sporting events

1. The following sporting events, in addition to those already listed at the time of the commencement of this Act, are to be classed as Group A sporting events under the OFCOM Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events:
   1. All matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup.
   2. All matches of the Rugby World Cup.
   3. Test matches of the England Cricket Team.
   4. The Six Nations rugby tournament.
   5. The UEFA European Women’s Championship.
   6. The Commonwealth Games.
   7. The FIFA Women’s World Cup.
   8. European Qualifiers matches, both home and away, regarding the Home Nations.
   9. The Women’s Six Nations rugby tournament.
   10. World Snooker Championship.
   11. The Masters (snooker).
   12. UEFA Nations League finals.
   13. UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
   14. UEFA Europa League semi-finals.
   15. The NFL Super Bowl.
2. The following sporting events, in addition to those already listed at the time of the commencement of this Act, are to be classed as Group B sporting events under the OFCOM Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events:
   1. Formula 1 (qualification and Grand Prix).
   2. European Masters.
   3. International Championship (snooker).
   4. Premier League.
   5. UEFA Champions League (all matches except final and semi-finals).
   6. UEFA Europa League (all matches except final and semi-finals).
3. A professional, non-youth-exclusive international team sporting match featuring a Home Nations team must be available to watch on terrestrial television in the territorial unit represented by the team if it is one of the following:
   1. A badminton match sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation
   2. A basketball match sanctioned by the International Basketball Federation
   3. An association football match sanctioned by FIFA
   4. A handball match sanctioned by the International Handball Federation
   5. A field hockey match sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Hockey
   6. A rugby union match sanctioned by World Rugby
   7. A rugby league match sanctioned by the Rugby League International Federation
   8. A table tennis match sanctioned by the International Table Tennis Federation
   9. A volleyball or beach volleyball match sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball
   10. A bobsleigh event sanctioned by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation
   11. An ice hockey match sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation
   12. A baseball or softball match sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation
   13. A lacrosse match sanctioned by the Federation of International Lacrosse
   14. A netball match sanctioned by the Internatioanl Netball Federation
   15. A polo match sanctioned by the Federation of International Polo
   16. A water polo match sanctioned by FINA

4 Miscellaneous provisions

1. A broadcaster of television or radio or both must allow OFCOM to investigate if OFCOM deems that the broadcaster has used communications in a misleading way.
2. The British Broadcasting Corporation must maintain its BBC Red Button service in perpetuity.

5 Extent, commencement, and short title

1. This Act may be referred to as the Broadcasting (Replacement of Provisions) Act 2021.
2. Sections 3 and 4 of this Act come into force upon receiving royal assent.
3. Sections 1 and 2 of this Act come into force six months after receiving royal assent.
4. This Act extends to the entire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.