RTÉ to sell 50% GAAGO share to the GAA in coming weeks

GAAGO sideline position before the All-Ireland SFC Preliminary quarter-final match between Donegal and Tyrone. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

RTÉ is expected to agree to sell its 50% share of GAAGO to the GAA in the coming weeks.

Negotiations between the two parties have been taking place since Croke Park offered to buy the national broadcaster’s share of the premium streaming service last month.

As reported by the Irish Examiner, that decision came as the GAA chose to retain its rights for the domestic media packages it had put out to tender last August, an eight-match suite largely comprising Saturday games and a six-game deal including two All-Ireland senior football quarter-finals and a Munster SHC game.

Once an agreement is reached with RTÉ, the GAA is expected to advertise its streaming schedule for the championship, which is usually revealed in December in time to capitalise on the Christmas market.

One of the “over-the-top” games included could be the Munster SHC Round 2 game between Cork and Tipperary in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on the weekend of April 26/27. One or both of the Round 3 fixtures – Waterford v Limerick on May 3/4 and Clare v Tipperary on May 10/11 could also be streamed.

The pay-per-view service may also go under a different name as there is a belief the departure of RTÉ from the venture provides the opportunity for a rebranding. In 2023, GAAGO earned almost €5m in subscriptions, a surge of 118% from ’22, and accrued €273,437 in sponsorship with post-tax profits of €761,370.

The GAA doesn’t appear to be deterred by the previous government’s determination to make all four All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals free-to-air. The anticipated formation of a new Government next week may also pave the way for the Pittsburgh Steelers to announce it will be hosting a regular NFL season game in Croke Park this September.

Meanwhile, Cork’s multi-All-Ireland winners Ben and Jerry O’Connor and Bríd Stack are among the former stars to be honoured in the new series of TG4’s Laochra Gael.

Produced by Nemeton, one of Tipperary's greatest defenders Pádraic Maher, ex-Wexford star Ursula Jacob and former Offaly All-Ireland-winning manager Michael Bond, who guided the county to the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 1998, are also set to feature.

Football-wise, episodes will also be devoted to Kerry’s five-time All-Ireland SFC winner Marc Ó Sé, Ronan Clarke (Armagh) and former Donegal full-back Eamon McGee.

This year marks the 23rd season of the highly popular series chronicling the stories of the GAA’s leading players and personalities. 

The season commences on January 23 at 9.30pm.