2023 TV Fixtures.

[joey B]

Cork v Bohs on the opening weekend live on RTÉ going off LOI TV.

[oriel]

I always think John Caulfield had a good idea about live games, play it on another night that all of us going to games apart from Sligo home ones, can actually watch live on the Fri night!

[Kingswood Rover]

Think Bohs have sold their allocation so should be a good atmosphere.

[Dermobohs]

Should be KR, we are looking for more on the allocation(700), but I’d say City are almost guaranteed a full house first game back up,plus the fact we’ll only(due to capacity limits) be able to give them 400.
Anyway, good to have it on the box.

[legendz]

I always think John Caulfield had a good idea about live games, play it on another night that all of us going to games apart from Sligo home ones, can actually watch live on the Fri night! What other evening would be suitable?

[sbgawa]

Sunday night

[yurt]

I know it's not ideal being midweek but I do think Thursday night could work if it was something which was happening weekly.

If there was a game consistently on RTE2 or the news channel on a Thursday it'd become a staple of people's viewing habits. It'd mean each team would have a couple of home games a season moved but you'd assume that it'd bump TV numbers massively by picking up the LOI match day fans as well as more people staying in on a Thursday Vs Friday.

I can't see rte doing it in the near term but given how interest is increasing I don't think it sounds as fanciful as it would have in 2019.

[nigel-harps1954]

Unless RTÉ were prepared to put a bit of money behind it, there's no reason any club should be forced to change their regular kickoff times.

[joey B]

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[EatYerGreens]

Sunday night

Not good for travelling fans. Sunday 3pm-5pm would be a decent slot for both TV and for enabling fans to travel. There's usually some mediocre GAA under-age or club game on RTE in that window anyway, so it's not like they'd have to disrupt their schedule away from sport for it.

Sunday evening starts to eat into prime time TV slots for the broadcaster, so they'd probably not be keen to screen a game then if they could help it.

[ger121]

Thank god for LOITV. The days of relying on scraps from the state broadcaster to see a game on tv are over.

[Dermobohs]

Not good for travelling fans. Sunday 3pm-5pm would be a decent slot for both TV and for enabling fans to travel. There's usually some mediocre GAA under-age or club game on RTE in that window anyway, so it's not like they'd have to disrupt their schedule away from sport for it.

Sunday evening starts to eat into prime time TV slots for the broadcaster, so they'd probably not be keen to screen a game then if they could help it.
Can’t see mcbennett and his true sons of Erin putting our premier football ahead of a junior colleges stick fight tbh

[culloty82]

Medialive have just published the top 20 viewed programmes on RTE Two this week - top was PSG-Bayern on 185,000, Leinster v Dragons recorded 78,000, Derry v Meath had 62,000 viewers, and Cork v Bohs didn't make the top 20, so <40,000. Whether say, TG4 could do much to increase terrestrial interest is debatable, but as with other sports they cover, their marketing promotion would be independent of concern for ratings.

[legendz]

Cork v Bohs was clashing with other league games at the same time. LoI supporters were either in attendance or on LOITV.

[placid casual]

Cork v Bohs was clashing with other league games at the same time. LoI supporters were either in attendance or on LOITV.

It suits the rte narrative that by not showing games on a Saturday/Sunday night the viewing figures are below 40k-as mentioned already most of the potential viewers are either at a game themselves or watching their own team on LOI tv.
An alternative is needed to RTE at this stage, certainly in terms of LOI . I know there's Rovers guys working there but the TV station should be burned to the ground with all the nepotee "celebrities" that inhabit the place within it(get the Rovers staff out first, of course)
Virgin media is essentially an english channel and pays over the odds already for sport so I guess that leaves TG 4, who probably don't have the funds to properly invest in serious LOI coverage.
It needs a foreign TV investment although how that would work I've no earthly idea. Get BE-IN sports on the phone maybe?

[pineapple stu]

Cork v Bohs was clashing with other league games at the same time. LoI supporters were either in attendance or on LOITV.
That's only 20k potential viewers, not all of whom (and I'd say not half of whom) would have turned in anyway

[legendz]

Once upon a time when there was no LoI football in Kerry, I would tune in to the RTÉ LoI live game on a Friday evening. Those days are gone!
That's only 20k potential viewers, not all of whom (and I'd say not half of whom) would have turned in anywayIs that the 20k who attended games on Friday night?

[WeAreRovers]

Medialive have just published the top 20 viewed programmes on RTE Two this week - top was PSG-Bayern on 185,000, Leinster v Dragons recorded 78,000, Derry v Meath had 62,000 viewers, and Cork v Bohs didn't make the top 20, so <40,000. Whether say, TG4 could do much to increase terrestrial interest is debatable, but as with other sports they cover, their marketing promotion would be independent of concern for ratings.

Those MediaLive figures are for adults only. All individuals is the metric most people use - Cork v Bohs had an average of 66,000 viewers.

[kksaints]

Those MediaLive figures are for adults only. All individuals is the metric most people use - Cork v Bohs had an average of 66,000 viewers.

That's OK without being spectacular I think.

[EatYerGreens]

Cork v Bohs was clashing with other league games at the same time. LoI supporters were either in attendance or on LOITV.

That's not going to wash really as an explanation.

Clubs are doing well at getting more supporters through the gates, but catching the interest of the latent masses is still some way off. That's really a job for the League itself/FAI to do - raising interest levels amongst the broader population. My own personal view is that only a major step-change event - like creating an All-Island League - will catch the attention sufficiently of the armchair masses.

As for anyone who things 'why don't need them in their armchairs', we do. We need them to help boost media interest, sponsorship levels etc etc.

[EatYerGreens]

It needs a foreign TV investment although how that would work I've no earthly idea. Get BE-IN sports on the phone maybe?

The absence of such a broadcaster already, in a country where penetration of Sky Sports is high, is all the answer you need. No-one from outside wants to broadcast our league, as the numbers and interest levels just aren't there. Hell - no-one from inside Ireland really wants to do it either.

We can kid ourselves that if a game was shown on a different night then every single person who's ever gone to an LOI game would tune into it and make it a broadcasting success, but that's just unreaiistic.

[EatYerGreens]

Those MediaLive figures are for adults only. All individuals is the metric most people use - Cork v Bohs had an average of 66,000 viewers.

Presumably the adults figure is what advertisers are interested in ?

[Loifan_76]

TV ratings are estimated from a sample. In Ireland the sample is 1100 homes, which is pretty small. When you're seeing low viewing figures in the tens of thousands, they're probably in the margin of error as its based a handful of people from the sample tuning in. I wouldn't worry too much about it going up or down between games, probably doesn't mean much.

Just adding some context. The rating process is explained here: https://www.tamireland.ie/the-tv-measurement-system/

[WeAreRovers]

Presumably the adults figure is what advertisers are interested in ?

All depends on the advertiser and what they are selling to whom - figures are broken down into gender, age, class etc so media buyers can spend clients money wisely.

Hence the idea that ‘all individuals 4+’ is the best metric to see the fullest picture.

[Martinho II]

Would Premier Sports not bid to show our LOI considering they are the replacement for Eir Sport especially with the premiership.? I just dont get it at all.

[legendz]

With LoI football established on Friday nights, the live TV game has to be on a different day. Clubs are reluctant for a different kickoff time that might impact on gate receipts. The end result is the status quo.
If clubs value live TV coverage, a compromise has to come from both clubs and a TV broadcaster. Monday nights are used throughout the season. Considering other sports that are broadcasted on weekends and European club football midweek, Monday evening is one stand out choice for the live TV game.

[culloty82]

Or perhaps Sunday evenings at either 5 pm or 7pm, when GAA matches have generally finished?

[nigel-harps1954]

Until clubs are compensated for live TV coverage, or a broadcaster actually pays for a proper TV deal, then it should stay on Friday night at the clubs regular kickoff time.

[legendz]

Until clubs are compensated for live TV coverage, or a broadcaster actually pays for a proper TV deal, then it should stay on Friday night at the clubs regular kickoff time.How does the league grow the product with the status quo? It's not in RTE's interest to grow the product so that they have to pay more for it.
The league would want to market LOITV as best they can but also have a standalone fixture of the week. They could lead into that standalone fixture with some analysis and review of the games already played. If it gained traction, a "proper TV deal" might come about.
I want to watch Kerry FC on a Friday night. If Pat's v Derry is the standalone fixture of the round, it'll be great to be able to watch it live. In the absence of a "proper TV deal", the league must take more control of growing the product.

[JC_GUFC]

The reality is it's advertising revenue and not viewing figures that dictate the amount of coverage the league gets. Obviously consistently higher viewing figures would allow a broadcaster to charge more. Unfortunately the whole of Irish football is not really attractive to companies at the moment - look at the senior team struggling to bring in a sponsor.

Look at the companies that sponsor rugby - Bank of Ireland, Aviva (Insurance), Vodafone - big corporate brands who have big advertising purses. This is why RTE are happy to show the rubbish URC stuff because the advertisers will still pay and why Against the Head hasn't been knocked on the head.

Similarly GAA is sponsored by Bank of Ireland, Allianz (Insurance) and eir amongst others.

I don't think TV coverage really is that big a deal anyway - to be fair to Declan McBennett he's right when he calls out the stadiums looking sh** doesn't help. A packed Turner's Cross looked good when I watched the game back and that does look appealing to audiences but then when you see Oriel Park or some of the other less appealing grounds you could play the World Cup final there and it would look bad.

In saying that I'm surprised that TG4 don't make a move, or as someone has said Sky, to show something during the summer.

[legendz]

, or as someone has said Sky, to show something during the summer.Sky would see some of the stadia as a distraction to the viewer. If the league wants to present as professional, more stringent stadia criteria might have to apply for the Premier Division.

[JC_GUFC]

Sky would see some of the stadia as a distraction to the viewer. If the league wants to present as professional, more stringent stadia criteria might have to apply for the Premier Division.

Sky have shown live games at Warrenpoint and Carrick up North which would make most Division 1 grounds look good!

But I do think the time has come for grounds to be up to a certain standard. Clubs won't do anything about it until they must. How many years can Drogheda claim they're relocating for?

[Martinho II]

Sky have shown live games at Warrenpoint and Carrick up North which would make most Division 1 grounds look good!

But I do think the time has come for grounds to be up to a certain standard. Clubs won't do anything about it until they must. How many years can Drogheda claim they're relocating for?

This brings back memories of the time our LOI clubs got a windfall from the sky money think it was the mid 90s which begs the question back then why did our clubs not invest in their stadiums more?

[outspoken]

The reality is it's advertising revenue and not viewing figures that dictate the amount of coverage the league gets. Obviously consistently higher viewing figures would allow a broadcaster to charge more. Unfortunately the whole of Irish football is not really attractive to companies at the moment - look at the senior team struggling to bring in a sponsor.

Look at the companies that sponsor rugby - Bank of Ireland, Aviva (Insurance), Vodafone - big corporate brands who have big advertising purses. This is why RTE are happy to show the rubbish URC stuff because the advertisers will still pay and why Against the Head hasn't been knocked on the head.

Similarly GAA is sponsored by Bank of Ireland, Allianz (Insurance) and eir amongst others.

I don't think TV coverage really is that big a deal anyway - to be fair to Declan McBennett he's right when he calls out the stadiums looking sh** doesn't help. A packed Turner's Cross looked good when I watched the game back and that does look appealing to audiences but then when you see Oriel Park or some of the other less appealing grounds you could play the World Cup final there and it would look bad.

In saying that I'm surprised that TG4 don't make a move, or as someone has said Sky, to show something during the summer.

McBennett is full of bull. A lot of GAA matches that are shown usually feature empty stands behind the goals. TG4 show club and ladies matches that are played in run of the mill club grounds. I do believe we should prioritise showing games from certain grounds but his excuses are wearing thing. It's time to move away from relying on RTE and trying to make LOI TV a success which the FAI are failing miserably at.

[dundalkfc10]

McBennett is full of bull. A lot of GAA matches that are shown usually feature empty stands behind the goals. TG4 show club and ladies matches that are played in run of the mill club grounds. I do believe we should prioritise showing games from certain grounds but his excuses are wearing thing. It's time to move away from relying on RTE and trying to make LOI TV a success which the FAI are failing miserably at.

Totally agree RTE don't care never will care. I can't understand why they still haven't asked TnaG to show games (maybe they have and they said no)

[nigel-harps1954]

Sky is the obvious choice for summer months. Especially the last two or three years since BT Sports started taking more and more contracts off them.

They have big numbers of Irish customers, and already a sponsor of the womens national team, and showing a handful of games in summer months when RTÉ have gone off on their GAA buzz should be a handy cheap option for them to show a bit of football.

[outspoken]

Totally agree RTE don't care never will care. I can't understand why they still haven't asked TnaG to show games (maybe they have and they said no)

tbf TG4's head of sport has said they arent going to fill the void between RTE showing games at start and end of season, they cant build a storyline that way.

[legendz]

Totally agree RTE don't care never will care. I can't understand why they still haven't asked TnaG to show games (maybe they have and they said no)Do the league and LOITV care? Shamrock Rovers v Derry is on Friday night when the rest of us are supporting our own clubs. It'll be difficult to build a product if the league's finest silver are not being shown at a different time.

[Jamesie]

This brings back memories of the time our LOI clubs got a windfall from the sky money think it was the mid 90s which begs the question back then why did our clubs not invest in their stadiums more?

The Sky 'windfall' was the cheapest floodlights money could buy for them that didn't have them. That's it. We now had floodlit grass banks

[Martinho II]

If Sky can show matches in the Northern League League why cant they come down south especially when the NI league will be finished shortly!

[brendy_éire]

If Sky can show matches in the Northern League League why cant they come down south especially when the NI league will be finished shortly!

The IFA bundled the NI matches with some IL ones, hence the Sky games.
Nothing to stop the FAI doing the same.

[JC_GUFC]

The IFA bundled the NI matches with some IL ones, hence the Sky games.
Nothing to stop the FAI doing the same.

I think they kind of did with the National Team just that money was never given to the League, or certainly it wasn’t clear what RTÉ paid for that part of the deal.

They’ll tell you they lose money showing the league, which goes back to my point around the product not being appealing to advertisers.

For me the problem with RTÉ is they don’t promote the games. Often last season I wasn’t aware a game was even on. They don’t create a “story” around the league. Rovers v Derry is a huge game already in the league but they’re probably showing some low grade rugby match instead.

To be honest I just don’t bother myself with TV at this stage. The league is really progressing without proper coverage over the last 2 years.

Stadiums are now too small so it is getting a much better profile regardless.

When it does become a saleable product on TV I think the league should show the same loyalty to RTÉ as they did to the league… F*%# All!

[dundalkfc10]

Do the league and LOITV care? Shamrock Rovers v Derry is on Friday night when the rest of us are supporting our own clubs. It'll be difficult to build a product if the league's finest silver are not being shown at a different time.

I'd agree with that. Problem is would that game on a Thurs night, Sat/Sun afternoon or evening (Liverpool are playing Utd on TV Sun afternoon and loads sports on sat) attract the same crowd as a Friday?

[legendz]

I'd agree with that. Problem is would that game on a Thurs night, Sat/Sun afternoon or evening (Liverpool are playing Utd on TV Sun afternoon and loads sports on sat) attract the same crowd as a Friday?
Is the League of Ireland to continuously play second fiddle?
Friday nights and the summer season are established. It will be a brave decision to select a different kickoff time for one game a weekend but if they want to take the next step of growing the product on LOITV, it has to be considered.

[oriel]

Do the league and LOITV care? Shamrock Rovers v Derry is on Friday night when the rest of us are supporting our own clubs. It'll be difficult to build a product if the league's finest silver are not being shown at a different time.

I made this point before, John Caulfield raised this exact point when he was with Cork City, I always though it was a fair shout, show the live LOI game on a different night, Thursday Night or Sunday later PM / early evening.

[nr637]

By the way, when is the next live game on RTE! ?

[WeAreRovers]

By the way, when is the next live game on RTE! ?

LEAGUE OF IRELAND LIVE – Friday 17 March at 7.35pm on RTÉ2

Peter Collins presents live coverage of Derry City v Sligo Rovers from the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Commentary from John Kenny with Tony O’Donoghue reporting. KO 7.45pm

[Kiki Balboa]

By the way, when is the next live game on RTE! ?

Why wait for RTE. Put one game a week on Youtube and Twitter.

TBH, Im getting a bit tired of people in the league just moaning about RTE. Its 2023, the media landscape has changed.

[legendz]

LOITV should get the pick of a game for a round and it should be at a different time. RTÉ occasional Friday night game should not be the standout game of the weekend.

[JC_GUFC]

Why wait for RTE. Put one game a week on Youtube and Twitter.

TBH, Im getting a bit tired of people in the league just moaning about RTE. Its 2023, the media landscape has changed.

They did this up North for a Championship game last weekend. Definitely should be looked into.