Media correspondent Nick Higham: "The Government's decision may reflect the fact that football's more popular than cricket."

The European Football Championship Finals, the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final and the Rugby Union World Cup Final are to be placed on a revised list of "crown jewels" - those events considered too important to be restricted to people with satellite or cable TV.

Rugby Union: becomes a "crown jewel"

Domestic Test cricket, however, is to be removed from this group, now known as the "A list", and placed on a new "B list".

This category will allow subscription broadcasters to bid for exclusive coverage rights provided there are satisfactory arrangements for secondary coverage by a terrestrial broadcaster.

The BBC has covered Test matches in England for the last 50 years but now looks likely to lose out to satellite television.

New set of guarantees

Making the announcement in a Commons written reply, Culture Secretary Chris Smith said he was determined to ensure that terrestrial broadcasters did get good quality access to secondary coverage even if subscription broadcasters, such as satellite and cable stations, won the primary rights.

Glenn Hoddle: something to smile about

"I have asked the Independent Television Commission to consider setting a minimum acceptable standard for such secondary coverage, to include some combination of delayed full coverage, highlights and live radio commentary," he said.

In addition to the above football and rugby finals which he wants to place on the "A list", Mr Smith said he believed that crucial ties in the football World Cup and European Championship qualifying competitions should also qualify for the highest status.

He said he therefore intended to seek Europe-wide arrangements for protecting free-to-air live broadcasts of crucial matches in these competitions.

The extended protection for football was welcomed by England coach Glenn Hoddle, who expressed his approval for the package.

"I'm delighted when the biggest possible audience sees England's vital matches. Any plans that ensure that happens in the future I welcome," said Mr Hoddle. "I know it is what the fans want. So do I," he added.

From A to B

Radio: Only free coverage for millions of fans

The division of the "crown jewels" into two categories is in line with the recommendations made in March by the Gordon Committee report on the future of televised sport.

The actual split announced by Mr Smith differs, however, from that put forward by the committee, which included broadcaster and journalist Michael Parkinson and former world champion athlete Steve Cram.

The revised lists are as follows:

The "A list":