The "crown jewels" list of sports reserved for terrestrial television is to be updated for the first time in 20 years in a move which is likely to lead to new guaranteed national exposure for the women's World Cup and FA Cup final.

In addition, Paralympic sports will be immediately added to the protected list, the Government said on Wednesday after being confronted by the Daily Telegraph over allegations that the current laws to maximise exposure unfairly favoured able-bodied men's sports. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, the 11-time Paralympic gold medallist, hailed "incredible news for the movement" which, she said, was "a massive step forward".