Plans to overhaul a list of sporting events protected for broadcast on free-to-air television have been delayed after the government called the General Election on 6 May.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) had set up an independent panel to review which sports should be added or removed from the 'crown jewels' list. Among recommendations expected to be decided on in June was the addition of home Ashes Test match cricket, England football qualifying games and Wimbledon to the list.

However, a DCMS spokesperson told the BBC there would be no decisions taken before May's election, with free-to-air proposals not included among legislation put in place ahead of the election campaigns. A number of national governing bodies for sport had expressed concerns at government plans to alter the list of protected events, suggesting grassroots sport could face reduced funding if pay TV operators were unable to bid for events.