Setanta get Rugby World Cup rights

**pete** · 18/01/2006, 9:43 AM

Reported on the radio that RTE lost the rights to the Rugby Union WC to Setanta. Major sharholder in TV3 is selling up & ITV have first option so will mean more pressure on RTE.

Is this the start of a slippery slop for RTE sport? Will they be like BBC soon shows Bowls & Show Jumping...?

**Schumi** · 18/01/2006, 12:01 PM

Cue Bertie coming up with a pre-election gimmick of getting it back onto 'free' TV.

**pete** · 18/01/2006, 3:36 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Cue Bertie coming up with a pre-election gimmick of getting it back onto 'free' TV.

Since its the IRB that sold the rights i don't think the IRFU will complain.

I don't think rugby has enough nationwide support to be big issue although obviously the media will give big exposure to.

With next WC in New Zealand its debatable how much public demand there is for 8am weekday ko so maybe RTE not offer too much cash.

**Schumi** · 18/01/2006, 4:00 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Since its the IRB that sold the rights i don't think the IRFU will complain.

Who complained about the FAI selling rights to Sky? This seems to be a similar situation.

With next WC in New Zealand its debatable how much public demand there is for 8am weekday ko so maybe RTE not offer too much cash.

The next World Cup is in France (NZ is in 2011) and that's the one that Setanta have rights for.

**pete** · 18/01/2006, 4:57 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Who complained about the FAI selling rights to Sky? This seems to be a similar situation.

RTE obviously complained but was their own fault for offering pennies to the FAI.

I think that law is seriously dodgy anyway as can reprieve sporting bodies of huge revenues when it should their own choice to decide if want more cash with satelite & less exposure or visa versa.

**Dodge** · 18/01/2006, 5:05 PM

Stupid law. Token gesture at sport in Ireland. If the government were interested in any sport (bar Racing) they'd have invested in it for years.

Tom Humphreys let slip that this weekend's coverage of Munster's game would be RTE's last ever trip to Thomond Park as they've lost the Heineken cupRights. don't know whether Sky has them exclusively or whether Setanta have got the Irish rights...

**WeAreRovers** · 18/01/2006, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Cue Bertie coming up with a pre-election gimmick of getting it back onto 'free' TV.

Yup, that seems to be RT� Sports fall-back all the time these days.

The Ryder Cup being the latest event hijacked by politicos despite the fact that the deal was done 7 years ago and was totally above board. And that just falls into the lazy hands of RT� Sport.

Dodge - RT� haven't lost the Heineken Cup AFAIK, I'll check it out. BTW never believe a word out of Tom Humphries fat GAAhead mouth.

KOH

**Dodge** · 18/01/2006, 5:22 PM

hate the bloke myself, just posting what he said on air...

**Bald Student** · 18/01/2006, 6:52 PM

I understand that Irelands games in the RWC are covered by the free deal. Setanta will, most likely, have to sell those right on to either RTE or TV3.

**Dodge** · 18/01/2006, 9:02 PM

Doubt that to be true. Can't see Setanta wanting it without the Irish games, especially if ITV still hold the UK rights

**pete** · 19/01/2006, 8:59 AM

Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

Dodge - RT� haven't lost the Heineken Cup AFAIK,

Sky will soon have exclusive live rights in Ireland. I;m not sure when it starts but means no more live Heineken Cup on RTE but maybe they'll have deferred coverage.

**Schumi** · 19/01/2006, 2:34 PM

RTE will only have deferred coverage of Irish provinces' home and away games in the Heineken Cup from next year I think.

**finlma** · 19/01/2006, 2:44 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I don't think rugby has enough nationwide support to be big issue although obviously the media will give big exposure to.

I'm sure the demand to see Ireland play in the World Cup would be pretty high Pete. More people would want to see that than the Ryder Cup I suspect.

**pete** · 19/01/2006, 2:52 PM

Originally Posted by finlma

I'm sure the demand to see Ireland play in the World Cup would be pretty high Pete. More people would want to see that than the Ryder Cup I suspect.

No chance & i watch rugby & go to the odd game. People with no interest in golf will want to watch the Ryder Cup whereas Rugby WC especially in less accessable time zone does not have the same level of bandwagon support. Rugby internationals don't get huge ratings on RTE.

**WeAreRovers** · 19/01/2006, 2:54 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Rugby WC especially in less accessable time zone does not have the same level of bandwagon support.

It's in France and will get massive numbers (not as many as an FAI cup final or eircom League title decider obviously.

)

KOH

**WeAreRovers** · 19/01/2006, 3:01 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Tom Humphreys let slip that this weekend's coverage of Munster's game would be RTE's last ever trip to Thomond Park as they've lost the Heineken cupRights. don't know whether Sky has them exclusively or whether Setanta have got the Irish rights...

I hate this but - Dodge, you were right, I was wrong. Seems this was all sorted more than 6 months ago.

http://www.ulsterrugby.ie/11_2708.php

KOH