CCPC did not prompt expression of interest tender for GAAGO

A spokesperson for RTÉ said it is satisfied that GAAGO is acting within the law. Picture: Lames Crombie/Inpho

Both RTÉ and the GAA have said a decision to invite expressions of interest for the rights currently held by the GAAGO app was not prompted by competition watchdog the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), prompting a Fine Gael politician to call for a statement from the commission.

The GAA last week announced that it was “inviting initial expressions of interest for the media rights of specific domestic broadcast packages” currently held by GAAGO, a joint enterprise of RTÉ and the GAA. The app has proved controversial over the last year, due to the placing of games behind its paywall.

Last year, the CCPC opened an inquiry into the app for breaches and expansions of its broadcasting activities. However, RTÉ, at the time, argued that it did not need CCPC permission to broadcast games in Ireland. The 2017 approval of GAAGO by the CCPC said that the joint venture “will not substantially lessen competition in any market for goods or services in the State”.

It said that the app was a “multi-platform, multi-device channel that allows subscribers outside the island of Ireland to watch GAA games live or on demand, as well as providing a range of ancillary content... such as highlights and match analysis”.

In an appearance at the Media Committee last year, the GAA’s Peter McKenna said RTÉ and the CCPC had been in discussions about the scope of the service, which began streaming domestically during the pandemic.

The CCPC, while it has engaged with the GAA and RTÉ, does not advise on commercial decisions.

“The CCPC has engaged with both GAA and RTÉ on the topic of GAAGO. We are unable to release the contents of our correspondence or comment further at this time.”

However, Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard said the CCPC should be clearer on what it has told RTÉ.

“My concern is that with the €725m package RTÉ has received, why hasn’t it stepped into the void and offered to televise these games?

“This is going on for two years. We don’t know what the regulator has said and they should make a statement. Has GAAGO been unregulated all this time? Is this tender just closing a loophole?”

A spokesperson for RTÉ said it is satisfied the service is acting within the law.

“RTÉ welcomes that this process will enable other organisations who have a genuine interest in showing GAA games to make a bid. As an entity with its own board, GAAGO will decide on its own bid participation independently. RTÉ does not envisage making a bid for the media rights to games currently broadcast on GAAGO.

“GAAGO is satisfied that it has been and is operating in line with competition law with regard to the broadcast of matches to subscribers based in Ireland.”

A spokesperson for the GAA said: “The GAA is inviting initial expressions of interest for the media rights of specific domestic broadcast packages for the 2025 - 2027 GAA Championship (inclusive). The CCPC have not directed that a tender process should take place. The rights awarded for two years have now expired, therefore a new tender was required.”