Newstalk near Heineken Cup broadcast deal

NEWSTALK are on the brink of muscling in on RTÉ Radio’s heretofore exclusive rights to the Heineken Cup.

Negotiations with tournament organisers, ERC, are at an advanced stage and may be unveiled ahead of next weekend’s big kick-off.

It is understood the national independent will share live commentary rights with RTÉ Radio, and in some instances, will have first call on the plum fixtures involving Irish provinces Leinster, Munster and Ulster.

It is a blow for RTÉ generally, as Sky Sports have exclusive television rights sewn up at present, despite a Government campaign here to make the Heineken Cup available on a terrestrial television platform. A well-placed source confirmed: “Newstalk have gone after these rights with a vengeance and will be successful.”

The station already has Sunday Premier League rights in football, and has had discussions with the GAA with a view to a share of the hurling and football market.

The 16th Heineken Cup kicks off next Friday night.