Sky hits out at free-to-air sports list benefitting likes of RTÉ

Broadcaster Sky says there is no case for including sporting events on a designated free-to-air list, describing the policy as a tax on sport to the benefit of the likes of RTÉ.

In a submission to the Department of Communications, Sky said it is not the role of Government to dictate what is best for any individual sport.

Sky points out that “given that RTÉ and other terrestrial broadcasters have the resources to bid for non-listed sporting events in the open market, it is both unjustified and unnecessary to force sports bodies effectively to sell their rights to those terrestrial broadcasters by eliminating competition from pay TV broadcasters”.

Sky made its submission as part of a public consultation by the department concerning the review of the free-to-air list, which currently includes the Summer Olympics, All-Ireland hurling and football finals, and Ireland’s games in the Rugby World Cup.

In its submission, RTÉ said it believes the list of designated events works well and “has helped preserve a balanced broadcast environment between pay and free television in Ireland”.

RTÉ states that a number of sporting events should be added to the free-to-air list, such as the All-Ireland football and hurling quarter- and semi-finals; Six Nations matches featuring Ireland; the opening match and final from the Rugby World Cup; and any semi-final and final of the senior European club rugby competition featuring any Irish team.

The GAA told the department the current list of events is appropriate.

Home fixtures for the Irish soccer team are on the free-to-air list. The FAI said that having the live qualification matches on the list “is disproportionate and inequitable, and we would ask once again that they be removed from the list”.