RTÉ must deal with Setanta for World Cup coverage

RTÉ will be forced to negotiate with Setanta Sports, the company who outbid them for World Cup Rugby rights, for permission to broadcast Ireland’s matches in the 2007 tournament.

Setanta Sports, the dedicated pay per view Irish Sports channel, has reportedly secured a deal with the International Rugby Board for television rights in the Republic for the showpiece of world rugby in France. However, according to the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003, Ireland’s games in the Rugby World Cup Finals Tournament are listed, meaning that they must be free to air to the Irish public.

Setanta Sports which is on the Sky Digital and NTL platform does not achieve this remit meaning RTÉ, along with TV3 and TG4, may enter the bidding for the rights to provide that service. But the deal is a huge blow to RTÉ, who lost Formula One rights to the satellite outfit last year and are also set to lose live Heineken Cup rights to Sky Sports at the end of this season.