Five Nations rugby and the Ryder Cup should be reserved for terrestrial television, the BBC said yesterday.

The finals of football's European Championship and the Commonwealth Games, when held in Britain, should also be safeguarded for mass market viewers, according to the corporation.

In its submission to the British Government committee examining which events should be "listed", it also dismissed cricket's recent demands to be allowed to sell broadcast rights to England's home Tests to the highest - most likely satellite - bidder.

"Tests meet the government's criteria - they involve the national team in pre-eminent international events and are part of our shared national culture," the document says.

It gives the first firm indication of the BBC's demands in the heated debate over satellite television's increasing dominance of national sporting life. At present the Olympics, football's World Cup finals, the FA and Scottish FA Cup finals, home cricket Test matches, Wimbledon, the Grand National and the Derby are protected. Each is broadcast only by the BBC or ITV.