30/03/2009 - Calls to cut pub satellite TV costs
The Government is to urge satellite television providers to lower football subscription prices for small and independent pubs, it has been revealed.
In a bid to save Britain's struggling pub industry, sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe said he would lobby Sky and Setanta to reduce costs in the hope that smaller venues would be able to continue showing big name clashes.
Mr Sutcliffe, speaking during a debate on the future of pubs called by Tory Laurence Robertson, also said it was important for people to be able to watch their role models on television as part of efforts to get them involved in sport.
Mr Robertson said that rising taxes, competition from supermarkets and the smoking ban have led to pubs closing at a rate of 39 per week.
Fellow Conservative Nigel Evans said that smaller pubs were struggling to attract new customers due to the high price of satellite subscriptions.
He explained: "The charges are so prohibitively large and that's another reason why people are staying at home and watching football at home, because they are unable to do so in a lot of pubs - particularly in rural areas."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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