RTÉ remains the largest single broadcaster of GAA action and it has also secured an exclusive national radio agreement as part of the new five year media rights deal announced earlier today by the GAA.
Newstalk, which had shared rights with RTE in recent years though is unhappy at losing out to what it perceives as unfair competition from the state funded broadcaster.
The new agreement between RTÉ and the GAA includes the rights to 31 live GAA Championship games per season, on RTÉ One, RTÉ2, and RTÉ Player, and the exclusive national radio rights package for both the GAA Championships and Allianz Leagues on RTÉ Radio 1.
Read more about the overall rights deal
RTÉ has also secured exclusive national Irish language radio rights on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
“I’m delighted that RTÉ has renewed and strengthened its longstanding and successful partnership with the GAA until 2022,” said RTÉ Director-General, Dee Forbes.
“As the national public service media organisation, RTÉ is proud to remain central in sharing the unique cultural and sporting experience of our national games with the Irish public.”
“Gaelic Games are at the heart of Ireland’s culture and identity and I look forward to continuing to strengthen and evolve RTÉ’s partnership with the GAA into the future as we embrace developments in technology and emerging audience trends.”
“RTÉ is committed to delivering quality Gaelic Games coverage across all platforms to serve the widest possible audience”.
Read about Sky Sports new role with the GAA
“In an increasingly competitive sports rights market, retaining GAA rights has been central to RTÉ Sport’s mission to secure rights to coverage of our national games, national teams, and major events,” added Ryle Nugent, Group Head of RTÉ Sport.
“This new agreement means that RTÉ Sport will continue to deliver 31 live GAA Championship games on television and on RTÉ Player, and that RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta will be the exclusive national radio partners over the next five years, strengthening our long-standing history and association with our national games.”
“In addition, RTÉ will continue to broadcast Sunday night highlights on The Sunday Game and Allianz League Sunday”.
The celebration at Montrose was mirrored in reverse at Marconi House though as Newstalk came to terms with the loss of a major part of its summer broadcast schedule,
“We believe we made a very competitive pitch to retain our live GAA commentary rights and we are disappointed that, after six years of innovative and extensive coverage, the GAA has decided not to renew that agreement,” said Newstalk Sports Editor Adrian Barry.
“Despite RTE continuing to benefit from 85% of the license fee, today’s decision begs the question as to why the state broadcaster would use state funding to purchase rights for a service that was already available to the public, free of charge, via Newstalk.”
“Off the Ball produced some iconic moments this year – in addition to our full coverage of Euro 2016, the Rio Olympics and the Paralympics, we grilled Lance, toasted the Dubs and drank in another successful season of Irish rugby.
“We were delighted to renew our Premier League commentary package this year for another three seasons, we have recently broadcast live Republic of Ireland games for the first time, we continue to broadcast live Champions Cup rugby and we remain a broadcast partner of the GAA, with live score flash rights for the coming five years.”
