(previously posted to a poster who wrote an excellent article on BBC's 606 today)
Cricket should be put back on the sporting 'A' list immediately.
I personally think that the best way for cricket to be brought back to the majority of TV watchers in the UK will be through BBC digital and 'red-button' channels. A quick glance at the Radio Times tells me that, if the Government did return cricket to the Sporting Crown Jewels, the game could (with some imagination and a some sheets of graph paper divided into 168 squares) be back on TV within days.
BBC3, BBC4, CBBC and CBeebies have tranches of airtime (behind a cute red + white screen) that could be swopped for cricket as more than several posters... ...have pointed out.
My one concern is that 'the satellite corporation' may not relinquish its prize of EXCLUSIVE TV RIGHTS (and the millions of pounds already invested in its name into cricket) so readily.
Digital bandwith is now here. IMHO the BBC do not want to show cricket on TV; and will do so only if - or when - the Government decides that it is expedient (ie it will win them votes).
Gotta encourage your allies - I hope that he does post the letter to the Sports Minister.