SportBusiness.com

The BBC damaged its relationship with BSkyB earlier this week when a freelance BBC cameraman was caught illegally filming action from the one-day cricket contest between Australia and Pakistan at Trent Bridge.
BSkyB, which holds the live rights to the NatWest One-Day Series, was left fuming after a goodwill gesture towards the BBC was abused.
In what has become a regular practice amongst broadcasters, BSkyB had allowed BBC cameras into the ground early so that they could set up their equipment for post-match interviews.
However, when the much publicised crowd trouble at the game began, a BBC cameraman was spotted filming the pitch invasion – infringing on the rights held by BSkyB.
BSkyB provides the BBC with a news feed for match incidents which can later be referred to with the proper accreditation.
The incident, which the BBC has put down to ‘inexperience’, has angered BSkyB to the extent that the gesture of goodwill will not be extended for the remainder of the series which culminates at Lord’s this weekend.
The BBC has apologised for the mistake, stating that the footage in question was never used and have accepted BSkyB’s decision to refuse BBC cameras access until after the game has ended.
Though these events are unlikely to affect BSkyB’s relationship with the BBC in terms of upcoming joint projects, such as the interactive venture for Wimbledon on the BBC’s digital channel BBC Choice, the satellite broadcaster is justifiably concerned about the BBC’s approach.
Although an isolated incident, this is not the first time that the BBC has fallen foul of broadcasting rights legislations. Last winter, BBC radio correspondents were forced to commentate from the hill outside of the stadium during England’s tour of Pakistan after being barred from the ground in a debate over rights ownership.