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Women’s sport loses out in free-to-air review
David Davies has missed an opportunity to raise the profile of women’s sport in his review of free-to-air sports according to the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF).
In its consultation response, WSFF asked David Davies to include the best of women’s sport on the B-List of sporting events which would have guaranteed at least highlight packages being broadcasted on free-to-air networks. By not adopting this recommendation, and by removing the B-List entirely, David Davies is denying women’s sport the opportunity to be broadcast in front of the whole nation.
WSFF Chief Executive Sue Tibballs commented “Our research shows that the lack of women’s sport on TV means that girls grow up in a culture which says that sport isn’t really for them. Any glance through the TV listings will show that women’s sport gets only a fraction of the coverage that men’s sports get and given that our women are currently having much more success than the men internationally we believe this should be reversed.
“There should be scope within the Free-to-air List for premier fixtures from women’s sport to be shown at least as highlights, delayed coverage, or behind the red button to ensure it is showcased to a wider audience. We hope that Ben Bradshaw will take this into account when he is considering how to respond to David Davies’ report”
-ENDS-
For more information and the opportunity to interview a representative from WSFF please contact Harriet Foxwell on 020 72731744 / 07977138964 / [email protected]
WSFF
The Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) is the charity that works to make physical activity an integral part of life for women and girls.
Today, 80% of women don’t do enough physical activity to benefit their health, half of young women think it is more important to be thin than healthy and only 2% of newspaper sports coverage is dedicated to women’s sport.
WSFF is working to change these statistics by:
- Providing consultancy support to help sport and fitness deliverers give the customer what she wants
- Working with the media and brands to foster a culture in which being active is attractive
- Persuading senior decision makers to use their influence and resources to help achieve our vision.
