"RTÉ to screen even more domestic soccer"

**Mr A** · 03/03/2010, 3:53 PM

From RTE

RTÉ Television has confirmed a 50% increase in its live Airtricity League coverage as part of its commitment to domestic Irish soccer for the coming season.

RTÉ Television will broadcast 15 live games from the Airtricity League, an increase from 10 games last season, beginning with current League Champions, Bohemians, playing newly promoted Sporting Fingal this Friday 5th March at 7.30pm on RTÉ Two.

RTÉ Television will also broadcast both FAI Ford Cup semi-finals plus the final itself.

**fionnsci** · 03/03/2010, 4:14 PM

Is it actaully part of their "commitment" or is it not down to a monetary deal struck with the FAI?

**Dodge** · 03/03/2010, 4:36 PM

I'm fairly certain they signed a deal a couple f years ago to build towards showing 30 (ish) games a season

Still, it does help

**dong** · 03/03/2010, 4:42 PM

Originally Posted by fionnsci

Is it actaully part of their "commitment" or is it not down to a monetary deal struck with the FAI?

I think it was a monetary deal struck with the FAI alright.
Still, no matter what the motives, it can only be a good thing.

**Riddickcule** · 03/03/2010, 4:42 PM

Wow! 15 live games up from 10, we really are making progress.

So how many have Setanta got lined up?

**Fester** · 03/03/2010, 4:58 PM

Originally Posted by Riddickcule

Wow! 15 live games up from 10, we really are making progress.

So how many have Setanta got lined up?

TG4 show more live games than Setanta. Dont even mention ITV I mean TV3.

**redbuli** · 03/03/2010, 5:05 PM

anyone know roughly how many games tg4 did screen last year

**Riddickcule** · 03/03/2010, 5:06 PM

TG4 shows Galway games 80% of the time, whats going on there?

Also, does anyone else think that a 7.30 programme start for a 7.35 kick off is a tad bit disrespectful for the league?

**Martinho II** · 03/03/2010, 5:15 PM

Originally Posted by Riddickcule

TG4 shows Galway games 80% of the time, whats going on there?

Also, does anyone else think that a 7.30 programme start for a 7.35 kick off is a tad bit disrespectful for the league?

agree with you on the latter point... you have to have a decent preview otherwise its too rushed...

**Mayo Red** · 03/03/2010, 5:28 PM

More games screened live has to be good news but the situation regarding the screening of our clubs European games is still a disgrace. It was criminal that the Bohs v Salzburg tie wasn't shown last season.

**galwayjames** · 03/03/2010, 5:34 PM

good news but they need to show the champions league or at least some european games this year.

also having a 5 minute preview is a disgrace, it should start at 7.15pm, so that there is some preview without boring the ordinary viewer

**Boo_Boy** · 03/03/2010, 5:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mayo Red

but the situation regarding the screening of our clubs European games is still a disgrace. It was criminal that the Bohs v Salzburg tie wasn't shown last season.

Me > RTE.

I'll stream the euro games this year too I guess.

**Mayo Red** · 03/03/2010, 5:39 PM

Originally Posted by Boo_Boy

Me > RTE.

I'll stream the euro games this year too I guess.

No better man!!

**Soccer Mom** · 03/03/2010, 5:42 PM

Originally Posted by fionnsci

Is it actaully part of their "commitment" or is it not down to a monetary deal struck with the FAI?

Here's a quote from John Delaney in the 2008 FAI Annual Report: "Prime time terrestrial television coverage through RTE's Monday Night Soccer programme remains secure for the League of Ireland, since the FAI agreed to forgo €4m in revenue from its international rights agreement with RTE"

May have something to do with it.

**osarusan** · 03/03/2010, 5:44 PM

I'm happy to hear the news about more games being screened. Hopefully games are chosen for broadcast with the help of somebody who has a decent idea of which games will be worth showing.

Have to say I'm not too bothered about only 5 minutes preview either.

**Riddickcule** · 03/03/2010, 5:53 PM

Sure the FAI Cup final only had like 30 mins preview at the most, anyone remember? Someone should write to RTE and demand european footy this year! I think Bohs and Rovers could do quite well this year, who knows one of them might get into the Europa League Group Stage.Let alone the CL Group Stage.

**dong** · 03/03/2010, 6:02 PM

Originally Posted by Riddickcule

Sure the FAI Cup final only had like 30 mins preview at the most, anyone remember? Someone should write to RTE and demand european footy this year! I think Bohs and Rovers could do quite well this year, who knows one of them might get into the Europa League Group Stage.Let alone the CL Group Stage.

I did at the time. I'm sure plenty of others did too. This was the reply I received from Stephen Alkin which, I believe, was the standard reply for any queries on the matter:

Many thanks for your email.

I fully understand your frustration and annoyance over the lack of coverage of the Bohemians Champions League tie. We simply do not have the budgets and resources to cover every event. Your complaint is not unique 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.
For obvious commercial reasons I 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 to 33 games 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.
I 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,
Stephen Alkin
Exec Producer RTE TV Sport

**peadar1987** · 03/03/2010, 6:18 PM

Originally Posted by Riddickcule

TG4 shows Galway games 80% of the time, whats going on there?

Probably the same reason RTÉ show Bohs games 95% of the time. Just a short hop away from the HQ.

Originally Posted by Riddickcule

Also, does anyone else think that a 7.30 programme start for a 7.35 kick off is a tad bit disrespectful for the league?

Defo. To be honest, I think a little segment getting people to connect with the league is at least as important as the actual coverage. A couple of player profiles, a segment about the local area and what the club means to it, that sort of thing.

**Riddickcule** · 03/03/2010, 6:25 PM

Still doesn't answer the question really.lol

**CuanaD** · 03/03/2010, 6:53 PM

Originally Posted by Riddickcule

Also, does anyone else think that a 7.30 programme start for a 7.35 kick off is a tad bit disrespectful for the league?

Totally agree with you there - the RTE times are designed to fit into the smallest slot possible - 7.30 to 9.30 - this gives them up to 5 mins at the start, 5 for time added, & 5 to rap-up. I'd love to see them change it to as 7.30-10 show, with the game back to the 7.45 ko - giving a decent 20+ minutes of interviews & analysis after the game.

I think the build-up & analysis are a large part of getting the casual observers interested in the game & from there, the league.