RTE next season

**adamd164** · 23/10/2013, 11:20 AM

What is the current situation with RTE's coverage for next year? This year was the final year of their TV deal with the FAI. I haven't read or heard anything about next year's situation.. unless I've missed it somewhere.

From RTE statement when last deal was signed:

Beginning in 2010, the number of live [LOI] matches shown by RTÉ will grow each season culminating with 33 live matches (one-per-week) in the final year of the term - the 2013 season

I don't think they showed near to 33 matches this year, but more importantly will we be back to the days of no TV coverage soon?

Could impact clubs in terms of ability to attract sponsors.

**harps1954** · 23/10/2013, 11:30 AM

Isn't the TV deals for international games now sold as a package through UEFA. I'm nearly sure it is. In the past the FAI sold rights to all home games themselves and insisted that RTE showed LOI as part of the deal. I know the last time that RTE negotiated with the FAI, they offered the FAI an extra €4million NOT to have to show the LOI. However, the FAI turned it down. It was a good bit of business by the FAI as it was they (the FAI) who forced RTE into showing MNS. I'd say we could be back to the days of the TV3 showing the Monday night package with clubs providing most of the material themselves. RTE will still jump on the bandwagon and show Cup semi-finals, Cup Final and matches at end of the season that will decide the title. I'd expect MNS to be shelved. Maybe Setanta might be inclined to pick up some of the slack? Whatever ways it works out, I can see a much reduced TV coverage in 2014 onwards.

**harps1954** · 23/10/2013, 11:34 AM

More on it here. Just what I thought. Deal was negotiated via UEFA and not the FAI.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/inter...p-2018-rights/

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/w...al-team-rights

**nigel-harps1954** · 23/10/2013, 12:32 PM

I'd fear no highlights package at all next year. We'll have to start our own one.

**Mr A** · 23/10/2013, 1:17 PM

On the other hand RTE have lost the premiership and have only one night of champions league games so may have more of an interest. Sky have the Rabo from 2014- not sure whether RTE will have matches there.

So while the league has lost some leverage, RTE haven't as much on their plate as previously and I do recall someone in their sports department saying that they'd be focussing more on domestic sport in future.

Edit: From this, it seems RTE may still have RABO games, but it's not fully clear: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/r...l-show-3316079

**gufcfan** · 23/10/2013, 1:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

RTE haven't as much on their plate as previously and I do recall someone in their sports department saying that they'd be focussing more on domestic sport in future.

Which is what they should have been doing in the first place.

**Jofspring** · 23/10/2013, 2:01 PM

Problem is "domestic sport" may mean GAA.

**harps1954** · 23/10/2013, 2:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

Problem is "domestic sport" may mean GAA.

Exactly - they might try to take the National League off Setanta & TG4. Domestic would also mean a return to them showing loads of AIL Rugby.

**gufcfan** · 23/10/2013, 5:29 PM

Fair points. Like people have said, I fear a return to the bad old days of sfa coverage.

**Charlie Darwin** · 23/10/2013, 6:17 PM

Originally Posted by harps1954

Exactly - they might try to take the National League off Setanta & TG4. Domestic would also mean a return to them showing loads of AIL Rugby.

I'd have sworn I read somewhere RTE were going back to showing AIL this season but I can't find any proper info on it.

Originally Posted by Mr A

On the other hand RTE have lost the premiership and have only one night of champions league games so may have more of an interest. Sky have the Rabo from 2014- not sure whether RTE will have matches there.

So while the league has lost some leverage, RTE haven't as much on their plate as previously and I do recall someone in their sports department saying that they'd be focussing more on domestic sport in future.

Edit: From this, it seems RTE may still have RABO games, but it's not fully clear: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/r...l-show-3316079

RTE will still have Rabo games. It seems they'll probably have the same number as now, but I'm not sure.

**Longfordian** · 23/10/2013, 6:25 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

I'd fear no highlights package at all next year. We'll have to start our own one.

The lads from Dundalk FM can do voice overs for all games.

**Mark** · 23/10/2013, 8:41 PM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

The lads from Dundalk FM can do voice overs for all games.

Brilliant idea. Give me John Murphy and the lads over Peter Collins or Darragh Maloney anytime. Entertainment guaranteed!!!!!!!!!!

**Charlie Darwin** · 23/10/2013, 8:54 PM

What's their knowledge of Spanish football like?

**White Horse** · 23/10/2013, 9:06 PM

A little bit of respect for the Dundalk FM commentators is in order.

Don't forget that John Murphy captained Dundalk when they became the first irish side to win an away match in the European Cup when they bet FC Zurich 2:0

**Sean South** · 24/10/2013, 7:51 AM

Would it be possible for clubs to get together (yeah I know unlikely) and produce a weekly hour long highlights program and a hour long preview show available on the Internet? If clubs had volunteers/supporters recording the footage it shouldn't cost too much.

**Dodge** · 24/10/2013, 9:22 AM

This season's live games

LOI only; RTE 12, Setanta 8
LOI/FAI/EA; RTE 15 (inc FAI cup final). Setanta; 9
All games; RTE 15 (inc FAI cup final). Setanta 18

**Charlie Darwin** · 24/10/2013, 9:32 AM

So they got to 33 in the end, by outsourcing 18 of them to Setanta.

**Dodge** · 24/10/2013, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

So they got to 33 in the end, by outsourcing 18 of them to Setanta.

Sure, if you include 7 in the Setanta Cup, 2 in the Europa League and the League Cup final

**TheBoss** · 24/10/2013, 6:18 PM

I think the League should copy what the SPFL are doing, they have highlights of all games from all 4 divisions on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/splofficial). Surely the Airtricity League is able to do that ?

**Bawnville Hoop** · 24/10/2013, 7:55 PM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

I think the League should copy what the SPFL are doing, they have highlights of all games from all 4 divisions on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/splofficial). Surely the Airtricity League is able to do that ?

The FAI stopped clubs streaming live games with the mindset it would increase the attendance, that's their mindset so I couldn't see them ever doing something like the above.