Former sports minster Richard Carborn calls for Lions series decider to be free-to-air

Sky are resisting calls from everywhere to show the third Test between New Zealand and the Lions on Saturday for free.

With the Lions levelling the series at the weekend following a famous 24-21 victory, there were mixed opinions on whether the broadcaster should make the game accessible to as many fans as possible.

BBC Radio Five Live held a phone-in debate about the matter and are expected to turn the screw further this week, according to The Times.

SOCIAL REACTION

Should deciding @lionsofficial v @AllBlacks test be free to air? ‘Yes’ says former sports minster Richard Carborn https://t.co/QFbkR42msW pic.twitter.com/X7n8wDCJlt

— BBC Radio 5 live (@bbc5live) July 1, 2017

BBC Radio 5 debate on whether Sky should make deciding Lions Test free to air? Don’t like knocking the BBC but that is ridiculous

— Tim Nichols (@TimNicholsDM) July 3, 2017

BBC could have bid for it but did not.

— Bernard Gentry (@CllrBGentry) July 2, 2017

I feel for the older generation who can’t afford to subscribe (same with cricket) my parents love rugby but never watch the Lions #Yes

— Darran Fellows (@WalesUtd) July 2, 2017

Big time yes #ForAllToSee

— Andrew Orchard (@cornwallandy) July 1, 2017

yes of course…cricket as learnt its lesson the hard way,and as now started moving back to free view tv

— wraith (@wraith1001) July 1, 2017

However, having paid millions for exclusive rights to Lions games, Sky Sports are understandably reluctant to cave in.

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Sky’s stance has been strengthened by the fact that not a single free-to-air broadcaster made a bid for the tour in 2014, with the only competition coming from BT Sport.

TalkSPORT secured exclusive radio rights for the current tour as well as the one back in 2013.