UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy has criticised the decision to put the Rugby League World Cup behind a paywall after subscription channel Premier Sports was confirmed as the tournament's sole UK broadcaster.
Premier Sports, which has aired some games in previous tournaments, stepped in after the BBC reportedly opted against bidding for the event, which takes place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in October.
Nandy, who runs the government's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport department and is MP for Wigan, home town of one of the world's great clubs, said: "Rugby League is a source of pride and identity that brings communities together across the country.
