New TV Deal

[D24Saint]

RTÉ in danger of losing rights to League of Ireland games this season (https://www.the42.ie/league-of-ireland-tv-rte-6594840-Jan2025/)

Looks like the league is set for a new exclusive TV deal with Virgin Media. I'm not sure why the FAI want RTE involved considering their track record in regard to promoting the league.

[yurt]

For some reason it feels like there'll be more to this story in the coming weeks. A game a week would be dreamland stuff for us long suffering LOI supporters.

The European games absolutely need to get television coverage too. I'm glad they do be available on LOITV but they need to be visible for the public too.

[ger121]

I won’t lie, I’ll be delighted if the deal gets signed off by the FAI. RTE have treated the LOI with nothing but contempt for years and they are finally getting their comeuppance. Said it before that the future of tv coverage of the league is better off without RTE in the picture.

[legendz]

Virgin Media have the channels to be able to show the games consistently. The LOITV cameras in place suits the more or less ready to broadcast format that Virgin Media want. Should be a good deal for both LOI and VM.

[sbgawa]

It's great exposure for the league perennial problem though with Friday night coverage is that the audience who would want to watch are at all the other matches. That's nit picking though and it's still a major positive and good to see rte getting what they deservw

[DonegalHoop]

The league has been crying out for a broadcast partner for some time, not just a channel thats going to show games whenever. At least Virgin will now promote the games and drive viewing figures upwards

[D24Saint]

The only reason the FAI are stalling is to their own ends. It’s safe to assume that LOI rights were often used as a sweetener when negotiating coverage of the international teams.

[Shinkicker]

I won’t lie, I’ll be delighted if the deal gets signed off by the FAI. RTE have treated the LOI with nothing but contempt for years and they are finally getting their comeuppance. Said it before that the future of tv coverage of the league is better off without RTE in the picture.
Hopefully this s a positive for the game , great exposure, it has to be professionally presented with decent commentators, co commentators and studio analysts who know what they are talking about. (No token women) If they know what they are talking about then include them. No Brian Kerr, he is the most negative footballing analyst there is.

[2 Year Contract]

RTE and Declan McBennett in particular, can get stuffed at this stage. Hearing that they’re apparently ‘devastated’ to potentially be losing the rights is hilarious given how he spoke about the league only a year or so ago. All hail our new Virgin Media overlords!

[legendz]

It's great exposure for the league perennial problem though with Friday night coverage is that the audience who would want to watch are at all the other matches. That's nit picking though and it's still a major positive and good to see rte getting what they deservw

Friday is still the conundrum. Ideally a standalone kickoff for the star game of the weekend. I know attendances can take a hit from a Thursday or Saturday. I think the discussion should be is the short term hit on attendance a long term investment for establishing a standalone kickoff day and time?
Noone obviously wants to make a financial loss for the sake of it. Where is a financial loss an investment?

[Neish]

Always got the impression that broadcasting LOI was like a chore to RTE, they give far more time and effort to GAA, Rugby etc

[oriel]

I don't really get how clubs can be too excited about these arrangements, the only benefits are promoting the club for one game, and maybe your sponsors are happy with the tv coverage.

Until and unless a proper TV deal is done and with all clubs getting a pro rata and decent financial compensation, this is just free tv for the broadcasters.

I know clubs get a bit from LOITV, but not sure that is too much on an annual basis, we need a proper deal running for a number of years with payments made directly to clubs. Then create a bidding between say RTE and Virgin for the next deal, or one to show highlights, again paying for it.

[Shinkicker]

I don't really get how clubs can be too excited about these arrangements, the only benefits are promoting the club for one game, and maybe your sponsors are happy with the tv coverage.

Until and unless a proper TV deal is done and with all clubs getting a pro rata and decent financial compensation, this is just free tv for the broadcasters.

I know clubs get a bit from LOITV, but not sure that is too much on an annual basis, we need a proper deal running for a number of years with payments made directly to clubs. Then create a bidding between say RTE and Virgin for the next deal, or one to show highlights, again paying for it.
You are correct but we have to start somewhere and getting football televised regularly is the start. A well presented programme, with good hosts and good football will attract viewing numbers. Then the bidding war can begin and clubs will benefit.

[Straightstory]

Let's hope they don't continue with the daft idea of showing a live game on Friday night while there is a full programme of league games taking place at the same time.
Only other down side I can see - Virgin don't broadcast in HD unless you're a subscriber.

[brendy_éire]

Let's hope they don't continue with the daft idea of showing a live game on Friday night while there is a full programme of league games taking place at the same time.
Only other down side I can see - Virgin don't broadcast in HD unless you're a subscriber.

Agreed.
I enjoy playing on Friday nights, but I had to have a few games a year switched to a Saturday/Sunday, I could live with it.

Didn't know that's why Virgin isn't HD. It is a poor picture quality, and not really good enough these days.

[placid casual]

RTE losing the rights to showing LOI coverage, at a time when the LOI is supposedly very much en vogue and its most anticipated season for many a generation is upcoming, is so very much RTE :).
It'll give declan mcbennett a chance to fulfill his long held desire to have blanket coverage of his "national games" on his dying channel.
And rte will now have more money to give to their "talent" like katherine thomas and daithi oshea....
Personally I can't stand the double act of delaney and kerr but I'll take them over the automaton peter collins.

[total hoofball]

I believe Virgin Media claim the cost to broadcast in HD on Saorview is excessively expensive and they have been holding their own on that one for years now I assume they have done their cost/benefit analysis

[ger121]

I would expect some Thursday or possibly Saturday KOs amongst those games.

I’d love to know if the clubs are actually going to make any money from this deal. While the extra coverage is always welcome, it really also needs to be putting money in the pockets of the clubs.

[Martinho II]

Im delighted with the deal. The only thing though the camera work wouldnt be as good as RTEs but the commentary is much better! I know 20 years ago when it was TV 3 they were the first Irish TV broadcaster to have their own highlights show which they had for 5 years until it went to RTE which was a an awful pity!

[DCSIL]

Good news. Karma for killing MNS.

Works for both parties, VM have a exclusive product to show off and the League gets better coverage for the average Irish TV Viewer(apart from those with their Sky packages..)
Hopefully the games will be able to watch in the North?

[John83]

The only reason the FAI are stalling is to their own ends. It’s safe to assume that LOI rights were often used as a sweetener when negotiating coverage of the international teams.
Sweetener? I was under the impression that they were an unwanted condition of the international rights. Or has that changed in recent years?

[nr637]

This can only be a good thing in the long run. If the FAI & Virgin agree a suitable format, then it may push RTE to reconsider their position in the future.
The main outcome with this news is that there is negotiations going on with one of our main national broadcasters for our domestic game and a 36 weekly game coverage is being proposed.
It can only set the standard for future coverage!

Airtricity LOI Match of the Day! :love:

[legendz]

This can only be a good thing in the long run. If the FAI & Virgin agree a suitable format, then it may push RTE to reconsider their position in the future.
The main outcome with this news is that there is negotiations going on with one of our main national broadcasters for our domestic game and a 36 weekly game coverage is being proposed.
It can only set the standard for future coverage!

Airtricity LOI Match of the Day! :love:

Is there likely to be a highlights programme again? Thought YouTube highlights are the preference.

[Dermobohs]

Great news this, I hope that gaa lover and his u20 rugby pals lose the internationals too, couldn’t happen to more deserving people. Their coverage when it does reluctantly happen is a token begrudged half arsed effort, awful comms and dreadfully short build up.VM are miles ahead on football coverage.

[yurt]

Will be interesting to see if RTE now make more of an effort with the European fixtures. There is no major sporting competition on this summer (women's Euro's not withstanding) so they really have very little excuse not to broadcast all of Shels game at a minimum.

[Dexy]

Hilarious turn of events. The most important part of this is no more Cawley and Collins. Two absolute vampires.

[brendy_éire]

Hopefully the games will be able to watch in the North?

You can get Virgin on Saorview via your aerial almost everywhere bar east Antrim.
Otherwise you'll need to use LoITV, I suppose.

[TonyD]

Sweetener? I was under the impression that they were an unwanted condition of the international rights. Or has that changed in recent years?

As I recall there was a story a few years ago (it’s going back a while, maybe ten years) that RTE actually offered to pay more for the international games so as not to have to show LOI matches. I don’t know how true it was, but let’s face it, would anyone be surprised ?

[Buckett]

As I recall there was a story a few years ago (it’s going back a while, maybe ten years) that RTE actually offered to pay more for the international games so as not to have to show LOI matches. I don’t know how true it was, but let’s face it, would anyone be surprised ?

That story is here too

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/daniel-mcdonnell-complicated-relationship-will-never-be-the-same-again-after-league-of-ireland-split-from-rte/a703354183.html

[dundalkfc10]

Will be interesting to see if RTE now make more of an effort with the European fixtures. There is no major sporting competition on this summer (women's Euro's not withstanding) so they really have very little excuse not to broadcast all of Shels game at a minimum.

The Fifa World Club Cup is on this summer in America for a month. A proper tournament with 32 teams in it

I wouldn't be surprised if RTE will have to show that, as part of their contract to show World Cup 2026

[D24Saint]

Sweetener? I was under the impression that they were an unwanted condition of the international rights. Or has that changed in recent years?

I meant in terms of a freebie thrown in by the FAI. In the past RTE could do and did what they liked in terms of covering the league. The had a certain quota of games to fill but that was it. Their coverage vanished for months and only really picked up in the latter part of the season.

[Another Bohemia]

The Fifa World Club Cup is on this summer in America for a month. A proper tournament with 32 teams in it

I wouldn't be surprised if RTE will have to show that, as part of their contract to show World Cup 2026

I know it's not the point of your post but that is a Micky mouse tournament to fill fifas coffers. One of the criteria for qualifying was whether Messi played for you. I think Guardiola has already hinted he won't bring his best team and that FIFA can't decide what his best team is.

On topic it appears DAZN have the exclusive rights to air it.

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/club-world-cup/usa-2025/articles/dazn-stream-show-live-globally-broadcast

If you thought the last iteration of LOI TV was bad you should try and use the DAZN app. I use it for NFL and it's appalling for how much it costs

[EalingGreen]

On topic it appears DAZN have the exclusive rights to air it.

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/club-world-cup/usa-2025/articles/dazn-stream-show-live-globally-broadcast

If you thought the last iteration of LOI TV was bad you should try and use the DAZN app. I use it for NFL and it's appalling for how much it costsFIFA really struggled to sell the media rights to this:

Fifa finally agree massive $1bn broadcast deal for Club World Cup - one day before draw takes place

Streaming platform DAZN has agreed a worldwide deal to broadcast Fifa’s controversial Club World Cup free to air.

Club sources have previously expressed frustration and concern at Fifa’s failure to sell rights until now for next summer’s tournament in the United States, which has been the catalyst for legal actions against football’s world governing body from player unions and domestic leagues over its scheduling.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fifa-club-world-cup-tv-live-stream-dazn-b2658889.html

Of course $1bn seems like they've secured a very good deal, until you read down the above report, to:

Reports in recent months have suggested Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) could purchase a one billion US dollar (£787.6m) stake in DAZN. The platform has done deals within the last year to screen the Saudi Pro League in some European territories, including the UK, as well as for the Riyadh Season boxing bouts and the Six Kings Slam tennis event in the Middle East kingdom.

So then, free-to-air, interspersed with non-stop "Visit Saudi for your hols" adverts I should think.

No mention, either, of the generous "commissions" which will doubtless have been paid to certain people in Switzerland, via their Cayman Island bank accounts. :poo:

[Another Bohemia]

FIFA really struggled to sell the media rights to this:

Fifa finally agree massive $1bn broadcast deal for Club World Cup - one day before draw takes place

Streaming platform DAZN has agreed a worldwide deal to broadcast Fifa’s controversial Club World Cup free to air.

Club sources have previously expressed frustration and concern at Fifa’s failure to sell rights until now for next summer’s tournament in the United States, which has been the catalyst for legal actions against football’s world governing body from player unions and domestic leagues over its scheduling.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fifa-club-world-cup-tv-live-stream-dazn-b2658889.html

Of course $1bn seems like they've secured a very good deal, until you read down the above report, to:

Reports in recent months have suggested Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) could purchase a one billion US dollar (£787.6m) stake in DAZN. The platform has done deals within the last year to screen the Saudi Pro League in some European territories, including the UK, as well as for the Riyadh Season boxing bouts and the Six Kings Slam tennis event in the Middle East kingdom.

So then, free-to-air, interspersed with non-stop "Visit Saudi for your hols" adverts I should think.

No mention, either, of the generous "commissions" which will doubtless have been paid to certain people in Switzerland, via their Cayman Island bank accounts. :poo:

Saudi adverts will likely be for the Saudi world cup. Another farce.

Edit: Also for anyone wondering I believe the correct pronunciation of the streaming service is "Da Zone"

[redarmyfaction]

Always got the impression that broadcasting LOI was like a chore to RTE, they give far more time and effort to GAA, Rugby etc

A chore? RTE actively despised LOI.

[EatYerGreens]

The Fifa World Club Cup is on this summer in America for a month. A proper tournament with 32 teams in it

You've obviously not bene following all the scandal and gossip around it all then :eek:

It's at serious risk of being a bit of a non-event.

[EatYerGreens]

Saudi adverts will likely be for the Saudi world cup. Another farce.

Edit: Also for anyone wondering I believe the correct pronunciation of the streaming service is "Da Zone"

'Disown'?

[fionnsci]

Hopefully this s a positive for the game , great exposure, it has to be professionally presented with decent commentators, co commentators and studio analysts who know what they are talking about. (No token women) If they know what they are talking about then include them. No Brian Kerr, he is the most negative footballing analyst there is.

I think your "token women" comment is unnecessary. If people take that view into watching coverage then they're going to find something wrong with a female contributor's analysis. The men on a panel don't start at a disadvantage of having to prove they are not tokenistic.

[Calcio Jack]

I think your "token women" comment is unnecessary. If people take that view into watching coverage then they're going to find something wrong with a female contributor's analysis. The men on a panel don't start at a disadvantage of having to prove they are not tokenistic.

Well said

[Shinkicker]

I think your "token women" comment is unnecessary. If people take that view into watching coverage then they're going to find something wrong with a female contributor's analysis. The men on a panel don't start at a disadvantage of having to prove they are not tokenistic.
I don't have a problem with women presenting or analysing as long as they contribute positively. There is a female presenter on sky who asks probing questions of the analysts and she contributes to the programme, there one on another channel who is dreadful and does not contribute so I don't watch it. There was a female commentator on LOI TV Sligo games and she was quite good and one or two who commentate on LOI women's games are also good. There are several male commentators on LOI TV who are terrible and should not be part of the show either. If Mr negative Kerr is on I hit the mute button as I can't stand his negativity.
Let's see what we get.

[Another Bohemia]

I don't have a problem with women presenting or analysing as long as they contribute positively. There is a female presenter on sky who asks probing questions of the analysts and she contributes to the programme, there one on another channel who is dreadful and does not contribute so I don't watch it. There was a female commentator on LOI TV Sligo games and she was quite good and one or two who commentate on LOI women's games are also good. There are several male commentators on LOI TV who are terrible and should not be part of the show either. If Mr negative Kerr is on I hit the mute button as I can't stand his negativity.
Let's see what we get.

The point is though that you wouldn't call Kerr the token negative analyst or token old fart.

[thebronze14]

I think your "token women" comment is unnecessary. If people take that view into watching coverage then they're going to find something wrong with a female contributor's analysis. The men on a panel don't start at a disadvantage of having to prove they are not tokenistic.

Rachael Graham on RTE is very good I think

[Shinkicker]

Rachael Graham on RTE is very good I think
There is one on RTE who is good I can't remember her name so it could be the same person. I'm not against women presenting as long as they know what they are talking about and the same for male presenters also. I vote with my finger (change the channel) or if there isn't another channel I hit the mute button, as I do when Kerr or Hamen are on. There is nothing worse the having to listen to people talking nonsense and getting paid for it.

[yurt]

Do we know if/where the presidents cup will be televised? Looks for now at least that'll be on LOITV only. Was this the same the past couple of years? I recall watching it but since I only ever watch online I can't remember if it was televised or not.

[total hoofball]

Presidents Cup for the past few seasons was on LOITV only, maybe outside chance with the new Virgin Media deal they may televise it to launch their coverage but I'd say unlikely even as Shels fans I'm not particularly interested in this Drogheda game I can't see TV companies either

[Burnsie]

presumably Virgin will show the Dublin derby at the Aviva. but I wonder would they also show Shels v Derry on the Friday (would would seem to be the ideal way to start the coverage), or does one match per week mean one match per week

[Dermobohs]

I would’ve thought they’d start with last seasons champions first game, no?

[Shinkicker]

My LOI TV works on my computer but won't open on my phone app . Anyone else having difficulty with the app.? Mine is on Android and installed from the Google playstore

[thebronze14]

There is one on RTE who is good I can't remember her name so it could be the same person. I'm not against women presenting as long as they know what they are talking about and the same for male presenters also. I vote with my finger (change the channel) or if there isn't another channel I hit the mute button, as I do when Kerr or Hamen are on. There is nothing worse the having to listen to people talking nonsense and getting paid for it.

Blond haired lady, plays for Shels. In her early 30s

[TonyD]

My LOI TV works on my computer but won't open on my phone app . Anyone else having difficulty with the app.? Mine is on Android and installed from the Google playstore

Can you cast to your TV from it ? That was my main complaint with the old LOI TV . I have an IPAD but I couldn’t cast to my TV from the LOI website.