GAA president says RTÉ can't be expected to accommodate every game

Jarlath Burns: "GAA+ was never intended to replace free-to-air coverage; it was designed to complement it. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

GAA President Jarlath Burns has defended the association’s broadcasting arrangements and argued that there are more games than traditional broadcasting schedules can accommodate.

Writing in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final match programme, Burns addressed the debate around GAA+ and RTÉ’s schedule.

“There will be roughly 100,000 supporters at Croke Park this weekend – and thousands more watching on TV and streaming,” he wrote.

“The recent discussion around GAA+ is ultimately a reflection of the deep affection that people have for our games. Every supporter wants the opportunity to watch their county and club teams, and that is an ambition shared by the GAA.

“We are exceptionally fortunate to enjoy longstanding partnerships with RTÉ, TG4 and BBC. Their commitment to Gaelic games is unwavering, and the quality of their coverage is among the very best in sport. We owe them a sincere debt of gratitude.” 

There was criticism last week of RTÉ after the network missed the opening ten minutes of Cork’s All-Ireland quarter-final win over Offaly. The Round 3 SFC clash between Dublin and Donegal went to extra-time resulting in a crossover.

Presenter Joanne Cantwell explained at the time they had requested the football game start at 1pm rather than 1.15pm, to avoid the potential for this precise scenario, but were told by the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) that it wasn't feasible.

“However, when your principal broadcast partner is a public service broadcaster, it is neither realistic nor fair to expect them to accommodate every fixture at times that suits the GAA. Their responsibilities extend far beyond sport, and in a World Cup year in particular, scheduling pressure become even greater.

“The reality is that there are simply more games than traditional broadcasting schedules can accommodate. This year alone there will be almost 180 championship games played across just 30 match days. Even so, more than 300 GAA broadcasts will be available free-to-air, meaning that almost 90% of all televised Gaelic games remain freely accessible.” 

Both of Saturday’s quarter-finals are to be broadcast on GAA+.

“GAA+ was never intended to replace free-to-air coverage; it was designed to complement it. Previous iterations of broadcast partnerships saw TV3 broadcast 11 exclusive games and Sky Sports show 14. This year GAA+ will bring 40 additional championship matches to supporters, many of which would otherwise received no live coverage at all, alongside some 90 midweek studio programmes.

“Most importantly, GAA+ helps ensure that the GAA can chart our own future in a changing media landscape. The revenue generated is not an end in itself. Our first responsibility will always be to those who play our games. Eighty three percent of every euro generated is reinvested in Gaelic games, helping to fund coaching, facilities, player development and club support.”