The Pitch: Could GAA be next in the incredible rise of Premier Sports?

How has the channel established itself, not only as a disruptive pay alternative to RTÉ, but as a significant rival to the state broadcaster?

Tony Kelly of Clare scores his side's third goal during the All-Ireland SHC final against Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

By the end of the year Premier Sports Ireland will have exclusive Champions League, Champions Cup, Premier League, Challenge Cup, La Liga and Scottish Premiership within its growing suite of sports rights.

Add to that its non-exclusive licences covering the URC, Europa and Conference Leagues and you have what its CEO describes as “a fully functional, living and breathing, engaging, attractive sports channel for an Irish audience”.