Virgin Media Television and the League of Ireland have today announced an agreement to broadcast 14 lives games from the 2024 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.
The broadcaster showed seven games in the second half of the 2023 campaign starting with the Dublin Derby meeting of Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians and culminating in Waterford’s dramatic Play-Off victory over Cork City to seal promotion in November.
The success of that short run means that there will now be more top-flight domestic football than ever before on VMTV in 2024 with Shamrock Rovers vs Derry City live on Virgin Media Two on Monday, 4 March to open the coverage.
That will be followed by newly promoted Galway United hosting Bohemians on Monday, 1 April, and Damien Duff’s Shelbourne welcoming Champions Shamrock Rovers on Monday, 22 April.
There will be three more fixtures in May and one in June with details to be announced once the season is underway.
Six additional SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division dates will be announced at a later date and the end of season Promotion / Relegation Play-Off is also included in the broadcast agreement.
“We are delighted to build on the positive momentum of our coverage last season by committing to broadcasting 14 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division games,” said Mick McCaffrey, Head of News and Sport at Virgin Media Television.
“Scheduling matches on Monday nights mean League of Ireland fans have the opportunity to watch a live game that would previously have been broadcast while many were attending matches in person.”
“This gives ourselves and the FAI the opportunity to build audiences and enhance the profile of the league. We are looking forward to being at as many grounds as possible across the country and expect season 2024 to be extremely exciting and competitive.”
“It was great to have Virgin Media as a new broadcast partner in 2023 and a real affirmation of the progress the League is making – so to see an even wider deal in 2024 is really positive and exciting and we thank Virgin Media for their commitment to Irish football,” added Jonathan Hill, FAI CEO.
“The quality and passion of their broadcasts last year were noted by many and we look forward to more of the same in 2024.”
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Virgin Media Television into a second year, with 14 live games set to be shown on free-to-air TV it represents a significant increase in coverage of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division,” said Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland Director at the FAI.
“We are delighted with the continued growth of the League of Ireland fanbase and working with Virgin Media and SSE Airtricity has enabled us to spread the reach to a wider audience. Virgin Media have selected three incredibly exciting fixtures at the beginning of the season as we see the title holders Shamrock Rovers, some of their title challengers and the resurgent Galway United fresh from their promotion from the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division all live on Virgin Media Television. We’re set for a brilliant 2024 and we look forward to Virgin Media following the action as the season progresses.”
The coverage of the League will be sponsored by League Title Partner SSE Airticity.
“With attendance and viewership on the up last season, we’re delighted to play our part in continuing to grow the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division and bring even more domestic football matches to fans this season, said Head of Brand, Advertising & Sponsorship, Ashley Morrow.
“Working with Virgin Media and the team at the League of Ireland, we’re excited to secure these 14 live matches for viewers to enjoy at home and continue to build on the success of the League this year.”
RTÉ Coverage plans will be announced shortly as well as further details of the LOITV streaming service.
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