Munster GAA chief wants better balance between free-to-air and GAA+

Chairman Tim Murphy admits supporters, especially older viewers, can feel excluded when major matches are broadcast via GAA's paywalled service

Munster GAA chair Tim Murphy: 'Many supporters, especially older viewers, can feel somewhat excluded when major matches are broadcast through GAA+' Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Munster GAA chairman Tim Murphy has called for a new integrated broadcasting model to ensure the “key championship games” are available to the widest possible audience “via traditional broadcasters”.

The current GAA media rights deal concludes at the end of next season and in Sunday's provincial SHC final match programme notes, Murphy proposes a revised contract.

“The GAA continue to be extremely proactive in trying to ensure that our games reach the widest possible audience,” he writes. “Through its now three-year partnership with Nursing Homes Ireland, GAA+ provides free season pass access to over 30,000 residents and staff in HQA-registered private and voluntary nursing homes nationwide.

“Notwithstanding this, the emergence of any new disruptive technology such as GAA+ often creates tension and anxiety among people as progress and innovation can clash with tradition and accessibility and long-established ways of engaging with community life.

“Many supporters, especially older viewers, can feel somewhat excluded when major matches are broadcast through GAA+. In some rural areas broadband remains unreliable and others struggle with the technical demands of online platforms.

“With that in mind and having listened to our counties, I believe an integrated broadcasting model could see GAA+ developed further over time into a dedicated, easily recognisable GAA broadcasting channel (crucial for the wider adoption and success of the platform) operating alongside established free-to-air partner(s).

“In this model, GAA+ could act not only as a streaming platform but as a central hub for additional fixtures, archive content, and enhanced coverage while key championship games would continue to reach the widest possible audience via traditional broadcasters.

“Such an approach would help bridge the gap between modern streaming and the GAA's longstanding commitment to accessibility and community reach. It would allow the Association to grow its media revenue in a sustainable way, while protecting the visibility and cultural presence of Gaelic games and culture in every parish and household.

“Promoting our games should be the primary focus in ensuring they remain accessible to the widest possible audience. I am confident that the newly-established GAA+ board under the chairmanship of Colin Morgan are fully aware of the challenges and the wider community perspective and believe that an acceptable balance will be struck between both in the coming months and years.

Murphy also wrote of accommodating more Munster minor championship games on the undercard of provincial senior fixtures. “This presents a welcome opportunity for our province to consider what might be possible for next year’s Munster championship.”