THE European Commission is today set to propose changing EU law to make sure everyone can see live television coverage of major sporting events like the World Cup and the Olympic Games.

In a move to avoid hindering major European television companies' efforts to compete internationally, a proposal drawn up by Culture Commissioner Marcelino Oreja limits EU action to the biggest events.

Under a proposed amendment to the EU's television-without-frontiers law, pay television channels like BSKYB and France's Canal Plus would still be able to buy exclusive rights to sports events, but EU law would determine how they" use them.