New TV Deal

[D24Saint]

RTÉ in danger of losing rights to League of Ireland games this season

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?