RTÉ Sport has had some reverses in recent years, in common with most major free to air broadcasters but yesterday came the indication that corners are being turned again.
The broadcaster, who has delivered sport to generations has secured exclusive free-to-air broadcast rights to every competitive fixture to be played by the Republic of Ireland from now until at least 2022.
This includes the European Qualifiers for the UEFA EURO 2020 Finals and the FIFA World Cup Finals 2022. RTÉ already holds rights to the European Qualifiers and finals for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the broadcast rights to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In addition, and in a separate agreement, RTÉ Sport has also secured the exclusive free-to-air broadcast rights in the Republic of Ireland for the UEFA EURO 2020 Finals.
These will take place in 13 cities across Europe including Dublin, where the Aviva Stadium will host three group matches and a round of 16 match.
“Today’s announcements ensure that all Republic of Ireland European Qualifiers, both home and away, for the FIFA World Cup of 2018, the UEFA EURO 2020 Finals and the FIFA World Cup 2022 will be available, free to air, for Irish audiences on RTÉ,” said Ryle Nugent, RTÉ Head of Sport.
“In addition, the three Finals tournaments themselves, which always provide some of the biggest and most iconic moments in sport, will be available to the Irish public.”
“At a time of significant and increased competition in the market place to secure these rights on all platforms is a very positive step.”
The rights secured yesterday include television, radio, online and mobile.
The loss of the Six Nations and the status as the lead broadcaster on the next Rugby World Cup hit hard but even there the fightback is on.
They also secured exclusive radio commentary rights to the Six Nations yesterday, a fact that will keep them in the game, so to speak, for when they come round again.
With GAA rights across all platforms secured through to 2021 as well, there is a lot going on within RTÉ Sport.
Next up will be the discussions taking place around the Guinness PRO14 and the European Champions’ Cup which will return in part to free to air coverage from 2018.
Sport matters hugely to RTÉ, featuring in ten of last year’s Top 20 TV broadcasts and drawing an aggregate audience across those ten events of 8.8 million. Yesterday was a big day in terms of keeping it so.
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