The ITC has given consent to ITV and the BBC for their combined coverage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament. This means that 56 of the matches will be shown on ITV1 and BBC1 and eight of the matches will be shown on ITV2 and via BBCi, the interactive service.

Careful consideration was give to views expressed during a public consultation on the coverage of the tournament, particularly to concerns regarding restricted viewer access to the eight matches which are scheduled to coincide with others shown on ITV1 and BBC1.

Channel 5 had suggested to the ITC that ITV and the BBC should be required to sublicense the rights to these eight matches. Whilst the ITC shares these concerns and has discussed Channel 5’s views with ITV and the BBC, the Commission does not have the power to require either broadcaster to sublicense the matches if they cannot be shown on ITV1 and BBC1.

For further information please contact:

ITC
T: 0845 601 3608
W: www.itc.org.uk