MNS / RTE contract [Archive]

adamd164

20/03/2013, 9:53 AM

There's another thread on the content of MNS (which is a different matter), but I just wanted to highlight the issue that the FAI's current contract with RTE for TV rights is due to end soon.

From here: http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2008/0229/292416-faieircomleagueofireland/:

In a further commitment to Irish soccer, RTÉ Television are set to increase the coverage of live eircom League of Ireland matches as agreed in the new contract extension announced recently by the FAI. Beginning in 2010, the number of live 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.

Unfortunately the onus might be on us to ensure that pressure is put on when it comes to contract negotiation time. We need to be clear that as LOI fans and TV license payers we want more live games, and MNS to continue in a prime-time slot.

I have emailed the FAI about the issue and will post any response I get.

(On a side note, are we getting our 33 games this year as promised?)

Charlie Darwin

20/03/2013, 11:50 AM

(On a side note, are we getting our 33 games this year as promised?)
They've already missed one round, haven't they?

NeverFeltBetter

20/03/2013, 12:38 PM

Does that figure include cup games?

KK77

20/03/2013, 1:12 PM

They've already missed one round, haven't they?

Was the Cork game not on?

Dodge

20/03/2013, 1:30 PM

We need to be clear that as LOI fans and TV license payers we want more live games, and MNS to continue in a prime-time slot.

You sure all fans want more live games? I don't think its all one way

Last year RTE showed 19 league games and 5 FAI Cup games. Setanta showed 7 league games (including both legs of play off) and the League cup final. I don't really see how we could ask for more

Mr A

20/03/2013, 1:38 PM

Probably on my own here, but I think the ideal thing would be Sky Sports News style coverage with goals and incidents as they happen from around the premier and at least score updates from the first division. It would mean everybody, or at least nearly everybody having to play at the one time but I think it'd be great entertainment.

Very unlikely to ever happen, but it would be some craic.

Dodge

20/03/2013, 2:32 PM

adamd164

20/03/2013, 2:42 PM

You sure all fans want more live games? I don't think its all one way

Last year RTE showed 19 league games and 5 FAI Cup games. Setanta showed 7 league games (including both legs of play off) and the League cup final. I don't really see how we could ask for more
True, maybe not everyone wants more live coverage, but from a sponsorship point of view the more the better for clubs IMO.

I don't really expect much of an increase on those figures, I would be of the view that we should be pressing for more ('lobbying' if that's the right word), but even if things stay as they are then I'd be happy enough.

nigel-harps1954

20/03/2013, 2:54 PM

My two cents.

Mr.A's idea is one I had thought of myself, but video link ups could be done via skype or something. I've seen RTE news use skype for foreign broadcasts once or twice. Would really benefit the league as a whole, but for that idea, we'd have to move all games to a Sunday afternoon or Saturday afternoon, as prime time Friday night isn't exactly the best spot for it, unless RTE start up their own Sports channel.

Highlights show needs to be on a Sunday night 7pm at very latest. Monday isn't good enough. I'd still keep MNS, but use it solely as a chat show, similar to that of Against the Head right after it. Highlights can be shown for any other game that passed the Sunday evening deadline for the highlights show.

For midweek fixtures, there needs to be another highlights show, possibly on Thursday, cramming them all into an hour with the weekends highlights is awful.

Needs to be much more advertising of the live matches, really drill it into peoples heads that the match is on. I'd even have a go at persuading Bill and the 3 lads to try their luck at League of Ireland analysis.

Really give the LOI the English leagues treatment. It's all glitz and glamour for English football, Irish football seems to be nothing but a burden at times.

And the highlights editing is awful.

And get rid of the music over the highlights.

I'd love to take charge of RTE for a week.

redobit

20/03/2013, 2:59 PM

I think it would be a good idea if they had all the LOI live games on a Thursday night. Other LOI fans (which has to be the target audience) would be able to watch it and clubs/ fans would get used to the regular time. Some people will say its a bad time/ night and would effect the turnout. But RTE pick odd times and days that dont suit clubs as it is.

adamd164

20/03/2013, 3:07 PM

Not a bad idea re: Thursday live games. In some ways I think you'd get more of a crowd than for a weekend afternoon game because people tend to have plans at the weekend.

Dublin City I recall used to play home games on a Thursday. Obviously didn't do much for them but I don't think Friday would have been any better!

Dodge

20/03/2013, 4:42 PM

Dundalk and UCD had Thursday nights too. maybe even derry?

nigel-harps1954

20/03/2013, 4:50 PM

I think Thursday nights would be horrible. Especially for travelling support.

Fivesilver

20/03/2013, 6:18 PM

I'd even have a go at persuading Bill and the 3 lads to try their luck at League of Ireland analysis.

Jesus, what have you got against the league that you'd want to inflict that shower on it? Boring ignorant cliche merchants who should have been put out to grass years ago.

Martinho II

20/03/2013, 6:41 PM

Dundalk and UCD had Thursday nights too. maybe even derry?
yep I remember us havin to play Derry on thurs nights eleven years ago in 01/02 season..

DRDoc

20/03/2013, 8:53 PM

That'd need outside broadcast units so not a goer IMO

Personally I'd have all league games on Friday night with a Saturday night "game of the week" with, say, an 8pm kick off. The TV show would startt at 7 and include highlights form the Friday night

Nice idea - but I can not see LOI ever being able to command a prime time slot, especially not on a Saturday night

I dont see any problem with games spread out over Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday myself.

redobit

20/03/2013, 9:12 PM

I think Thursday nights would be horrible. Especially for travelling support.

Thursday or Friday night for travelling fans - theres feck all difference.

Im thinking more of the routine and certainty that a fixed night would bring to live games. Live games chop and change to much at the moment. Have TNF, make a big deal about it. People get used to it, look forward to it and see it as part of their LOI routine. Plus you've got every LOI fan and player in the league as potential viewers.

legendz

20/03/2013, 9:26 PM

That'd need outside broadcast units so not a goer IMO

Personally I'd have all league games on Friday night with a Saturday night "game of the week" with, say, an 8pm kick off. The TV show would startt at 7 and include highlights form the Friday night
I'd agree with that. Never seen the point in having the live game at the same time as all the other kick-offs. Hard to know what other time will suits. Different kick-off times used have been criticised and I can't see Saturday 8pm slot being used by RTE. I'd suggest Saturday at 3pm or Sunday around 5.15pm as happened with Limerick v Cork.

I think it would be a good idea if they had all the LOI live games on a Thursday night. Other LOI fans (which has to be the target audience) would be able to watch it and clubs/ fans would get used to the regular time. Some people will say its a bad time/ night and would effect the turnout. But RTE pick odd times and days that dont suit clubs as it is.
Thursday isn't a bad shout either. There is the clash with European games however and it is a move away from weekend football. I don't think RTE's odd times are all that bad. Anytime they pick other than Friday night people complained. They are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Highlights show needs to be on a Sunday night 7pm at very latest. Monday isn't good enough. I'd still keep MNS, but use it solely as a chat show, similar to that of Against the Head right after it. Highlights can be shown for any other game that passed the Sunday evening deadline for the highlights show.

For midweek fixtures, there needs to be another highlights show, possibly on Thursday, cramming them all into an hour with the weekends highlights is awful.

And get rid of the music over the highlights.

I'd love to take charge of RTE for a week.

I'd like to see the show on a Sunday Night as well. MNS currently clashes with a good number of games that are on Monday.

For Monday and midweek games, a show even late on the Tuesday or Wednesday night would be ok.

Anyways the coverage which has been given in recent years is better that what has gone before.

Sean South

20/03/2013, 9:33 PM

A face

20/03/2013, 9:35 PM

Thursday or Friday night for travelling fans - theres feck all difference.

Im thinking more of the routine and certainty that a fixed night would bring to live games. Live games chop and change to much at the moment. Have TNF, make a big deal about it. People get used to it, look forward to it and see it as part of their LOI routine. Plus you've got every LOI fan and player in the league as potential viewers.

Nah, not Thursday anyway. Too hard for players to try and get off work, and lets face it, at least half of our league at any one stage have had to allow for that as a factor when sorting the logistics of travel over the season. Plus for travelling fans, having work again on Friday is a huge deterrent.

I think the Saturday night option is probably the only really practical option, with all other games played on the Friday night. That way the viewership (is that a word?) would be up and it could possibly give rise to advertising revenue being generated, that is probably the only thing that would curry favour with RTE bosses when being asked what needs to get the axe. And if viewing figures were anyway consistent then they could be used by clubs to generate revenue through sponsorship as well.

legendz

20/03/2013, 9:44 PM

Games should only be played on the weekend. I'd prefer if no live league games on TV with a very good highlights program (which we don't have now)
There has to be live games. If only half the country has soccer, they might as well at least have live games on tv.

Nah, not Thursday anyway. Too hard for players to try and get off work, and lets face it, at least half of our league at any one stage have had to allow for that as a factor when sorting the logistics of travel over the season. Plus for travelling fans, having work again on Friday is a huge deterrent.

I think the Saturday night option is probably the only really practical option, with all other games played on the Friday night. That way the viewership (is that a word?) would be up and it could possibly give rise to advertising revenue being generated, that is probably the only thing that would curry favour with RTE bosses when being asked what needs to get the axe. And if viewing figures were anyway consistent then they could be used by clubs to generate revenue through sponsorship as well.
I'd have to agree with DR Doc below. I can't see RTE opting for a prime time Saturday slot. I'd see the only option being Saturday at 3pm or some time on a Sunday.

Nice idea - but I can not see LOI ever being able to command a prime time slot, especially not on a Saturday night

I dont see any problem with games spread out over Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday myself.

Sean South

21/03/2013, 9:56 AM

There has to be live games. If only half the country has soccer, they might as well at least have live games on tv.

The only thing you have to do is die. Some say live games are needed for marketing but with a proper extended highlights show on a Sunday evening will do the same maybe a short lighthearted show mid week too. Clubs get noting for live games, supporters stay at home even when playing at home. Away travel is worse along with stupid kick off times it's doing more harm then good for clubs and that horrible phrase "match day experence" which is vital to get people coming back.

Also on games live on a Thursday. The league needs more young people going through the turnstiles, having games on Thurdays will only be off putting for secondary school kids in junior cert/leaving cert, young lads in collage who study in different towns, and young families. Horrible sky sports mentality thinking more about armchair fans then those who travel to support their club seems to be creeping in with the powers that be in the league of Ireland and some supporters.

Dodge

21/03/2013, 10:06 AM

I presumed the Thursday siggestion was a joke. jaysus...

Sean South

21/03/2013, 10:48 AM

I presumed the Thursday siggestion was a joke. jaysus...

Jaysus your sister... I don't think he was or there would be a smiley face something. The same can be said for Monday games which we had last year. So bore off Dodge.

Dodge

21/03/2013, 10:51 AM

Jaysus your sister... I don't think he was or there would be a smiley face something. The same can be said for Monday games which we had last year. So bore off Dodge.

Calm down fellah, I'm on your side. Ludicrous suggestion.

EDIT; the 'jaysus' was aimed at him, not you. Can see why you picked that up wrong...

nigel-harps1954

21/03/2013, 11:47 AM

Because it's Sean South, and he don't take no s**t.

osarusan

21/03/2013, 12:03 PM

Limerick man true and true he is, our Sean South.

Sean South

21/03/2013, 12:17 PM

EDIT; the 'jaysus' was aimed at him, not you. Can see why you picked that up wrong...

Alright Dodge.

Someone called you a spambot Nidge here lately, I have to agree.

marinobohs

21/03/2013, 12:48 PM

Alright Dodge.

Someone called you a spambot Nidge here lately, I have to agree.

Hate to interrupt your love in Ladies but what the F*** is a 'spambot Nidge' ?

A face

21/03/2013, 1:37 PM

Hate to interrupt your love in Ladies but what the F*** is a 'spambot Nidge' ?

Dunno .... Nidge = Nigel ????

SkStu

21/03/2013, 2:33 PM

Jesus, this escalated pretty quickly.

(I blame Dodge)

nigel-harps1954

21/03/2013, 4:13 PM

Alright Dodge.

Someone called you a spambot Nidge here lately, I have to agree.

Meh, I don't disagree to be honest. The only use I have for the internet is to spam and advertise.

Otherwise I'd just be like you and annoy everyone and then get annoyed by getting everyone else being annoyed by you.