GAA signs multi-million euro TV deal

The GAA today signed a multi-million euro TV and radio deal to carve up top games over the next three years, but declined to put a price on it.

RTÉ will screen 120 of the biggest clashes live, while TV3 has entered the free-to-air arena for the first time to broadcast ten games a year until 2011.

The live rights to the Allianz National Leagues and Club/Cup Championships have been awarded to TG4 and Setanta Sport.

A range of highlight packages have also been awarded to the BBC and UTV as well.

GAA president Nickey Brennan said the GAA pocketed “a multiple” of the value of the previous contract with RTÉ.

He added; “It has significantly improved over the last contract we had but this wasn’t just about money.

“We had to balance the amount of funding we would get from the TV rights against ensuring the games would be available free-to-air in people’s homes across the island.

“We’re effectively now getting free-to-air GAA coverage seven days a week which is tremendous for our Association and for our supporters.”

RTÉ director general Cathal Goan said of TV3’s entry into the talks: “A marker has been set down with TV3’s entry into the free-to-air arena and we’re more than capable of responding to that challenge and improving our game as well.”

He also reiterated that RTÉ’s Medium Wave radio broadcasts would be axed as planned on March 24. “Medium Wave is listened to by a very, very small proportion of listeners,” he said, despite concerns raised over the planned withdrawal of the service, especially in the North.

RTÉ head of sport Glen Killane said the station was passionate about delivering quality GAA coverage.

“I’m particularly delighted that RTÉ’s partnership with the BBC has ensured that fans throughout the island of Ireland will enjoy Ulster Championship games free-to-air.

“The awarding of these new rights to RTÉ enables us to continue to deliver and enhance our Championship coverage for the next three years for the public throughout the island of Ireland to engage with and enjoy.”