IRISH rugby boss Philip Browne believes the announcement yesterday of expanded free-to-air television coverage of the Magners League from next season is positive proof of a total commitment to the development of the sport in this country.
Celtic Rugby Ltd, on behalf of Irish, Welsh and Scottish participants, brokered a new four-year deal as the tournament moved away from heavy reliance on satellite coverage on Setanta.
In a four-year deal, RTÉ, and TG4 – who previously contracted with Celtic Rugby – join with newcomers BBC Alba (Scotland) and BBC Northern Ireland, and BBC Wales and S4C in televising Magners League games.
As the IRFU battle against government suggestions that all big rugby events, including the Heineken Cup, be available free to air, Browne again pointed out that his organisation had the best interests of Irish rugby and the public at heart.
"It just highlights what we have said all along, that we are trying to find a balance. The Magners League provides an opportunity for people to see some of the best players in Europe every week," said Browne.
"We chose to take this offer because of the value of the bid and because of Setanta’s difficulty in the marketplace at the time (of negotiation).
"It is probably the largest coverage of rugby free to air in Europe at the moment and really (in relation to proposals from Eamon Ryan, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources), I don’t know what the issue is; we have Magners League and the Six Nations while the only competition not free to air is the Heineken Cup.
"We want to have a situation where we can show rugby on free to air but it has to be in the context of an open market and full and fair value.
"We have to take sensible decisions; we’re not here for the short term. Those who take short-term decisions might be simply those going after the money all the time; that’s not what we’re doing."
What Celtic Rugby yesterday announced was confirmation of a TV deal, in place until the end of the 20013/2014 season, which will see an expansion of live broadcasts as well as giving the league a financial boost.
At a delicate time in Irish rugby – where pressure was coming from Government suggestions of a move away from pay-for-view TV – this development will be a welcome one and proof that rugby authorities are keen to develop the game as much as ensure there is enough money to run it.
John Hussey, chairman of Celtic Rugby, concurred with Browne: "With such strong and established terrestrial sports broadcasters committing to the league, it can only continue the development of the competition and is an example of the balance of free-to-air coverage that is needed to support the game in the competing unions."
From an Irish perspective, most regular season home matches involving Leinster, Munster and Connacht will be available on RTÉ or TG4 with a scheduled kick-off mostly of Friday or Saturday evening. BBC NI will focus on Ulster home games, with Friday evening as the preferred kick-off time.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, June 10, 2010
