No link to GAA bid, says McRedmond, as TV3 scoop Rugby World Cup rights

The chief executive of TV3 yesterday insisted the station’s success in winning the primary rights for broadcasting next year’s Rugby World Cup had nothing to do with the Ballymount operation losing out to Sky in the latest GAA TV deal.

Broadcasting revenue accounts for 60% of the income generated by the World Cups, which is in turn redistributed globally to grow the game, and the International Rugby Board (IRB) confirmed TV3 made the highest offer of all Irish broadcasters.

However, TV3 chief executive David McRedmond claimed the two contract bids proceeded independent of one another.