According to a poll by the newspaper Aamulehti, 68 percent felt that the state should see to it that major sporting events should be shown on open channels. Just 24 percent would be willing to consign the events to pay-TV.
There was considerable divergence on viewer access to events other than the Olympics: only 28 percent feel that easy access to tournaments such as the World Championships in ice hockey or athletics is important.
The poll involved interviews with 1,020 people aged 15 to 79. The reliability was put at about three percentage points.
Minister of Culture Tanja Karpela has called for drawing up a list of sporting events that should be available to all TV viewers.
Minister of Transport and Communications Leena Luhtanen agrees. Her ministry plans to hear the views of sport organisations and television channels in Helsinki on Friday.