RTEngland

[Dalymountrower]

Seems that RTE have now contacted Bohs about the rights to show next weeks Salzburg game. Maybe the e-mails had an effect, cheers!

[Hairy Bowsie]

I hope they told RTE where to go?

Or at least offered it to TV3 at a slightly reduced price first.

[BohDiddley]

I hope they told RTE where to go?

Or at least offered it to TV3 at a slightly reduced price first.

So first you say that we shouldn't complain that it's not on, then when people do and it has shows some possibility of having some impact you want to block it? Odd.

[Hairy Bowsie]

So first you say that we shouldn't complain that it's not on, then when people do and it has shows some possibility of having some impact you want to block it? Odd.

See the thing at the end of my post there, thats a smilie. It looks like this ---> . That really should have gave it away.

[BohDiddley]

So you do want it on. Excellent news.

[Hairy Bowsie]

I'd like to see it on, i won't get to watch it myself though. Still don't think the complaints are worth the effort though and i don't believe they had anything to do with RTE deciding to show the game after all.

[Sheridan]

Judging by an email (a load of spurious b0llocks, as you'd expect) I just got from Alkin, RTÉ still aren't screening the game.

[Hairy Bowsie]

Judging by an email (a load of spurious b0llocks, as you'd expect) I just got from Alkin, RTÉ still aren't screening the game.

And they're dead right too, who wants to watch that rubbish?


Ah i'll stop now, i've even confused myself at this stage (no points for remarking how easy a task it is)

Does anyone know what the average viewership figures are for LoI games?

[Dalymountrower]

Judging by an email (a load of spurious b0llocks, as you'd expect) I just got from Alkin, RTÉ still aren't screening the game.

Looks like they are messing us about alright. Doubt whether they would show the next round either if we were to get through. Like a lot of Public Bodies RTE will stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that it got it wrong.
Anyway, more money available to them to send Diddy Hamilton and Ray Houghton to Russia to follow the Glasgow Team.
In fairness to Setanta they have apparently said that will step in and show it anyway if RTE walk. ( as will Austrian TV.).

[BohDiddley]

Neil O'Riordan saying both RTE and Setanta have seen the light.
http://betdiary.com/thebigo/2009/07/17/162/

[sonofstan]

Finally got a reply from RTE to the email I sent just after i posted the OP in this thread. here it is:

Dear Stan,

Many thanks for your email.

We fully understand your frustration and annoyance over the lack of coverage of the Bohemians Champions League tie. Unfortunately, RTE News relies heavily on the Sports Programming department when it comes to games that are not being shown live on TV, either by ourselves or by another broadcaster. The fact that Bohemians were playing away from home on Wednesday night meant that we had no access to pictures of the goals, and it is not best practice in News broadcasting, to lead with a story for which we have no visuals.

Last night for example, we sent a camera to Richmond Park and had the tape sent back, just in time for the News on Two. The story was second only to the Open Championship in our running order, and we're sure you can appreciate why, given an Irish man is bidding for three titles in a row.

Your complaint is not unique Stan, and fans of other sports are often as vocal when an event they would like to see televised does not materialise. Unfortunately in a very competitive and expensive market we can only do so much, and it would have cost thousands to send a crew to cover Bohemians' away tie. The spelling mistake is unfortunate, a human error that occurred on the most inappropriate of nights'.

RTE’s coverage begins with the play-off rounds (effectively the 4th round qualifying) because that is when the general Europe wide contracts kick-in for all broadcasters. Prior to the third round each individual tie is subject to separate contract in each territory.

For obvious commercial reasons we am not prepared to put a figure on the actual cost to RTE to cover this particular match. Suffice it to say that between the facilities costs (outside broadcast, studio and satellites) and a rights fee we are talking about many tens of thousands.

Our commitment to Irish soccer is significant. RTE Sport provides a prime time highlights show in the league season that covers every match (MNS). We are also committed to 13 live League and Cup games in this season – a figure that will significantly increase in the coming years. We also have the rights to all the remaining games in Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign and the rights to broadcast the World Cup Finals next June. That package, by any standard, is comprehensive and a clear commitment to the Irish game.

We have no doubt that this explanation will not appease your disappointment but I do hope it will help you to understand the rationale.

Kind Regards,

The Sports News Team, RTÉ

[Rovers1]

. We also have the rights to all the remaining games in Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign and the rights to broadcast the World Cup Finals next June. That package, by any standard, is comprehensive and a clear commitment to the Irish game.

That has nothing to do with 'The Irish game'

[brianw82]

Got a similar mail from Alkin:

Dear Brian,

Many thanks for your email.

To answer your question about the News, I agree entirely with your view. The editorial order was wrong on a night when Bohemians were securing an excellent result in Austria .
However, that is the responsibility of the News room. I have copied your complaint to the Sports section of the News Department.

As far as the coverage of the 2nd leg goes, you couldn’t be further from the truth. The game is being covered for Austrian TV but a considerable rights fee (in the tens of thousands) and Production costs are involved if RTE were to broadcast this tie.

In the current economic situation RTE is not immune. We have lost over €60m in advertising revenue in the past year. Hard choices have to be made.

I would also remind you that RTE has made a massive commitment to Irish soccer: 36 MNS programmes in peak time between March and November; 13 live Irish games this year rising to 33 in 2013; and coverage of all of Ireland ’s home games until Nov 2013.

I know you are disappointed. So am I. Unfortunately, we can’t do everything.

Kind regards,

Stephen Alkin
Exec Producer RTE TV Sport

[brianw82]

That has nothing to do with 'The Irish game'

Apart from the fact that Irish players are playing.

Nothing to do with the 'domestic' game.

[Dodge]

I hate the phrase "domestic game"

[Karl Phillips]

Medium wave is gone.

And the FAI have been very upfront about saying they are paying for MNS

Dodge I know the MW is gone but that was no reason to do away with the show. I am sure it could have gone to LW I found the show very informative and you got all the results, and a report from the grounds.

[irishultra]

I hate the phrase "domestic game"

whys that?

[roversforever]

How is showing 13 games out of a whole league season a great commitment to irish football?One a week would be a decent commitment but showing a handful of games at the start of the season and the same again at the end is not a commitment its a token gesture.

[fionnsci]

How is showing 13 games out of a whole league season a great commitment to irish football?One a week would be a decent commitment but showing a handful of games at the start of the season and the same again at the end is not a commitment its a token gesture.

They're upping it to 33 by 2013.

Are people forgetting that RTE is a business operating in a recession? They can not afford to spend money on what won't draw in the audiences which (as much as I'd like to think it doesn't) includes Bohs - Salzburg.

[RonnieB]

RTE were a business not so long ago not in a recession and never bothered their holes showing the league in any meaningful way.