
The comparison is obviously unfair. There is virtually no comparison between the value of broadcast rights to live sport and those for deferred coverage. However, the difference in the numbers demonstrates that public sector broadcasters are no longer players in the market for premium sports content. On balance, and wearing my economist-hat, this is probably for the best. Why should taxes be used to fund the acquisition of sports rights? EU member state governments have the power designate major sporting events for broadcast on more widely received broadcasters. The interests of the particular sport should be protected by those selling the rights and, therefore, establishing viewing numbers. Whether, or not, there are broader public benefits attached to sport can be argued. Rather than make these arguments myself, I refer anybody reading this post to an excellent piece by Paul Rouse (here) on an example from Ireland.