Petition against Setanta Sports

blackbelt

Folks,

I never thought I'd see the day where Setanta would go hunting for rights to the championship.So now are we expected to pay to see the games we love if Setanta get their way?

It is puke inducing to read that A$$ HOLE Niall Cogley go on about the GAA cashing in on its popularity while Setanta can bleed money from the supporters.I think its our duty as fans and followers of our game to stand up to these corporate bastards from Setanta.

My uncle who lives in Sheffield can watch games on Setanta,thats good for people abroad but to try and cut off the free to air pleasure we have here in Ireland is disgusting.I am certain that Setanta Sports should have the rights to the championship for other countries but the GAA should realise that cutting off a lot of its fanbase from seeing games live is suicide.

I for one will never pay to have satellite tv just so I can watch GAA.The Offaly County Board (to my knowledge) are the only county board in Ireland to oppose this proposal so far.Why don't the other county boards follow suit.

How will us loyal supporters and lovers of the game object and petition against such a proposal.I just hope that the GAA sees moral sense and also that RTE get their finger out if it comes down to a bid.

So please,I am urging everybody to do what they can.

Steve_o

blackbelt wrote:

Folks,

I never thought I'd see the day where Setanta would go hunting for rights to the championship.So now are we expected to pay to see the games we love if Setanta get their way?

It is puke inducing to read that A$$ HOLE Niall Cogley go on about the GAA cashing in on its popularity while Setanta can bleed money from the supporters.I think its our duty as fans and followers of our game to stand up to these corporate bastards from Setanta.

My uncle who lives in Sheffield can watch games on Setanta,thats good for people abroad but to try and cut off the free to air pleasure we have here in Ireland is disgusting.I am certain that Setanta Sports should have the rights to the championship for other countries but the GAA should realise that cutting off a lot of its fanbase from seeing games live is suicide.

I for one will never pay to have satellite tv just so I can watch GAA.The Offaly County Board (to my knowledge) are the only county board in Ireland to oppose this proposal so far.Why don't the other county boards follow suit.

How will us loyal supporters and lovers of the game object and petition against such a proposal.I just hope that the GAA sees moral sense and also that RTE get their finger out if it comes down to a bid.

So please,I am urging everybody to do what they can.

I agree this is an outrage, and it's true that the other county boards need to follow Offaly and oppose this.

ublinina2

Under absolutely no circumstances should the GAA sell the rights of our games to pay per view or satellite TV or be allowed by their members for that matter. It would be an absolute outrage to think that you can go up training to your local club or give voluntarily your time to the sport and then when it comes to the championship you then have to pay to watch a game on the TV. The prices for the gate are already very high and Remember the players on the pitch are getting nothing for it ( unlike other sports)

Furthermore it will have to signify the first steps towards outright pay for play as the hierarchy in Croke Park cant expect players to play for nothing while they take in money left right and centre because of their skills, dedication and talent.

RTE has provided great free to air coverage to us for how many years and as has TG4 in the past few years. It would be totally hyprocritical of the GAA to bring this in and allow it to happen in any shape or form.

If this happened genuine GAA supporters should boycott games and the players should be encrouaged to go on an outright strike.

Money , Money , Money is all they want in Croke Park , but i have yet to see any of it filter down properly to the clubs.


The government should now also pass a bill to protect the rights of the public to view the All Ireland finals of our national sport on terristal TV.

yayamark

ublinina2 wrote:

Under absolutely no circumstances should the GAA sell the rights of our games to pay per view or satellite TV or be allowed by their members for that matter. It would be an absolute outrage to think that you can go up training to your local club or give voluntarily your time to the sport and then when it comes to the championship you then have to pay to watch a game on the TV. The prices for the gate are already very high and Remember the players on the pitch are getting nothing for it ( unlike other sports)

Furthermore it will have to signify the first steps towards outright pay for play as the hierarchy in Croke Park cant expect players to play for nothing while they take in money left right and centre because of their skills, dedication and talent.

RTE has provided great free to air coverage to us for how many years and as has TG4 in the past few years. It would be totally hyprocritical of the GAA to bring this in and allow it to happen in any shape or form.

If this happened genuine GAA supporters should boycott games and the players should be encrouaged to go on an outright strike.

Money , Money , Money is all they want in Croke Park , but i have yet to see any of it filter down properly to the clubs.


The government should now also pass a bill to protect the rights of the public to view the All Ireland finals of our national sport on terristal TV.

i think it should be allowed .... wait, wait fot it

then don't subscribe to it and don't go to it.

then theyed be ****ed!:D

Mushy

I know how ya feel, but then again, why dont RTÉ cough up more money for the rights to coverage? Agreed that it is awful that they might not show our national game on free-to-air though

ublinina2

Do the GAA really need the money that badly that they have to sell the rights of an Amatuer game to Pay per view? It is an amatuer and irish game

blackbelt

Ladies and gentlemen,

I'll be damned if I sit back and do nothing.I just rang the Dublin county board and was shocked that the secretary or whoever answered the phone was not aware of this matter.I asked her to tell officials about this news and the proposal of the county board to object.Lets all do our bit to keep our games on terrestrial tv.

I am not one for sabotaging a corporate business potential to do a great deal for themselves but in this case,our culture and privilege to see these great games may be under threat.

I'd urge evry member of this board to ring their respective county board and do as I have done,

gucci

when is the present deal up for renewal?

blackbelt

Gucci,

The present deal is up for review/renewal this year but RTE will have the rights to show the championship this year.So we need everybody to start objecting against Setanta now instead of later when its too late.

I'm under the impression that each county board is out of touch with whats going on.There were county boards who disapproved of the new league structures when their teams fell victim even though at congress and meetings the new structure was proposed.

I was very surprised at the DCB that they didn't know,well they know now.

blackbelt

The following is from Hoganstand.com



Setanta make case for championship rights
25 April 2007


Setanta Ireland chief executive Niall Cogley has urged the GAA to grant championship coverage rights to the satellite sports channel.

While acknowledging that some events like the All-Ireland finals must legally be broadcast on free-to-air television as provided by RTE, Cogley believes the GAA has a chance to cash in on its unprecedented levels of popularity by granting championship rights to Setanta.

Cogley argues that Setanta, which has already made inroads into the GAA market by covering National League and O’Byrne Cup games, would be very advantageous to the GAA both in financial and development terms.

“Twelve years ago, there were people in the GAA who felt that live television would spell the end of the GAA as we knew it. Some felt it would never happen, but it happened,” he said.

“Contrary to some people’s expectations, the GAA thrived.

“I would have thought that having put themselves into the position of popularity that they now find themselves in, I would hope that they include Setanta in the mix.

“Certainly I would expect to be invited to make our contribution to the build-up process and hopefully they would take our proposals seriously, the same as the Premier League and others have.”

The GAA’s TV championship rights are due for renewal later this year.

[/B][/B][/B]

ublinina2

Who in the GAA is actually pushing for Sentanta to get the rights. Could the county boards put forward a motion to stop our sports going onto Satellite TV , but as the congress is over for this year can we do anything ?

blackbelt

Nobody in the GAA has pushed for it.Niall Cogley from Setanta is pushing for it and the suggestion of the championship going onto satellite tv is enough to make my blood boil.Congress may be over for this year but who is to say the rights can not be offered up and bought out by Setanta?

I'm nearly certain that the GAA will continue its business and broadcasting with RTE with RTE delivering a more than satisfactory service.Plus there is the whole issue of the GAA,RTE and Sideline promotion of the championship on dvd.

I also think the GAA wouldn't sell out to Setanta as it would be a step in the direction of gaelic games going professional.This might please Dessie Farrell and co (I don't know).In accordance with satellite tv,if gaelic were to become pay per view,then as such it is a professional sport.This is something the GAA or the general public don't want.

Sometimes the prospect of big bucks can sway any organisation.Who is to say that the rule of "free to air" coverage of the championship is safe.I'm of the impression that the AI Final has to be broadcasted on terrestrial tv but I am not so sure about the provincial championships and the run up to the final.

easytiger!

• Ireland's Six Nations Rugby games
  
• The Summer Olympics
  
• The All-Ireland Senior Football and Hurling Finals
  
• Ireland's home and away qualifying games in the European Football Championship and FIFA World Cup tournament
  
• Ireland's games in the European Football Championship Finals Tournament and the FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament
  
• The opening games, semi-finals and finals of the European Football Championship Finals and the World Cup Finals Tournament
  
• Ireland's games in the Rugby World Cup Finals Tournament
  
• The Irish Grand National and the Irish Derby
  
• The Nations Cup in the Dublin Horse Show

These are as of 2003 but as far as I know they haven't been changed, Liam Mulvihil said the GAA were happy with the situation as is when asked for a submission at the start of 2006. Setanta complained at that stage about RTE's dominant position and said that more of these games should be available to bid for, and also looked for a change in their designation as most homes were now receiving Setanta without subscription

blackbelt

But when you say the football and hurling finals,does that mean the last match of each competition or from the quarters straight through to the final?

I don't think Setanta can complain.They have some coverage of the league and O Byrne cup apparently.I never remember seeing many of these matches as I see most games are on TG4.

I am more than happy with RTE and their lineup and setup for broadcasting the championship.The panel bring life and atmosphere to the game.Darragh Maloney is a great commentator,something which is lacking in sports broadcasting.

Setanta have no right to come here and demand the rights for coverage.If they got coverage,you can bet your last euro that each game will be on Setanta 1 or 2,these are channels we do not get free,hence the satellite channel.

smashey

I will be contacting the Donegal Board to see what they know about this and what their stance is.

While acknowledging that some events like the All-Ireland finals must legally be broadcast on free-to-air television as provided by RTE, Cogley believes the GAA has a chance to cash in on its unprecedented levels of popularity by granting championship rights to Setanta

Surely he means Setanta want to cash in with their ridiculous charges for every channel. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

blackbelt

I'll be following up on my phonecall from yesterday to the Dublin County Board.It should be a case whereby each county board opposes this.I'd also hope that a rep from each county follow me and Smashey's lead by informing each county board.

Say Culchie for Mayo,Lemlin/Pornapster for Cavan,Netwhizkid for Kerry and Cruiserweight for Wexford etc.

So far we have three CB informed:

Myself (Dublin)
Smashey(Donegal)
Offaly(who happen to be the only county board that has had the balls to do something about it so far and keep up to date with whats happening internally and externally)

I want to and always will want to choose the antics of Darragh Maloney,Colm O Rourke,Michael Lyster and Joe Brolly over anybody.

Even if I had the satellite channels,I'd still object.Not only would the game be heading for professionalism but it would decrease the fan support and stop promoting the game.

Setanta out.

Trampas

Setanta could buy the rights and show it freeview as they do with some programs and hope for people to sign up if not on NTL.

They will make money from advertisement

squire1

I can't see it happening. The GAA would be cutting their own throat to sell broadcasting rights to a pay per view channel. I'm all for the open market but this would be just bad business for the GAA. Can you imagine the scramble by the GPA to get a slice of the action if it did happen? They would have to be brought on board for this to go through which would be the genesis of professionaism.

However, saying that, I will be having a chat with my club delegate to make sure that it is brought up at the next county board meeting and that they are aware of the potential.

Consider Kildare county board informed

blackbelt

Good man Squire,

I'd agree that I can't see it happening but as the saying goes,the weather is not always predictable.We all know that it would be bad business for the GAA to agree a deal with Setanta but the problem is,the point needs to be driven home as the implications might be overlooked by the GAA if Setanta offer a ridiculous high sum of money for the rights.

I'd like for board members to inform on this thread that their county board has been notified and tell me what they say.

Mossy Monk

easytiger! wrote:

most homes were now receiving Setanta without subscription

Most but not all. it would be a disgrace if the Championship goes to Setanta.

KdjaCL

Mossy Monk wrote:

Most but not all. it would be a disgrace if the Championship goes to Setanta.

Why the GAA gets more cash ? That is the bottom line of it all. I would imagine most people who post here go to their counties games so it wont affect them other than the GAA getting more money.

Welcome to the age of tv watching sports fans.


kdjac

GAAman

I know a few lads involved with derry gaa not sure if it will be any help but could get them to say it at next council meetin etc

Flukey

It is a disgrace that this could happen. The GAA has boomed over recent years, and much of that is down to increased TV coverage. At one time they only used to show finals and semi-finals live. When it was proposed to show more live games on tv, there were fears that people would stay at home and not go to games, leaving attendances dropping. What did happen is that the game became more popular as a whole new audience was reached, and attendances grew.

Putting the matches onto a channel that no one can see - with the exception of those stupid enough to pay for a satellite channel - is not going to do them any favours. I would never get Sky Sports or any of those subscription channels. They have ruined sport. If no one subscribed, we'd actually end up seeing more sport as it would move back to free to air. I like watching sport on TV, so I wouldn't do something that is going to help those that take that away, by paying a subscription. So the best way for you to see more sport on TV would actually be to not subscribe to those sports channels, and they'll go out of business then!

Let Setanta show the games by all means, but let the other channels show them too. Buying rights is not really competing. It is like saying that we will see who is the fastest runner here, but only the one with the most money can run. If Setanta think they can do a better job than RTE, then show the games alongside RTE and let the people and advertisers decide who to watch. Then they will be competing. It'll be the quality of their coverage, not the size of their wallet that will decide. The likes of Sky tell us they have the best coverage, and yet they are afraid to put it alongside other channels to prove it.

One thing lads, if it does go to Setanta, and less people see the matches and the popularity of Gaelic Games drops, it just might be a tiny bit easier for us real fans to get tickets for those big games.

blackbelt

The GAA has thrived with the extended coverage that RTE has provided to the nation.I know for a fact that this "business venture" Setanta are trying to pursue is not really as feasible as they think.

Only a small percentage of fans will pay extra to see these games and it will not yield the return Setanta or the GAA would hope for.

The truth is,with GAA games on RTE,the audience is much bigger.We now have foreign nationals playing our game and this is largely in part due to the fact that gaelic is shown on the national free to air channel.

If the GAA are stupid enough to accept Setanta then the following will happen....

Setanta will take the coverage away from 9/10 of Ireland,drag the game into professionalism..this in turn will awaken the GPA who will argue the case for players to be paid large sums of money,less people will go to the games as many will boycott the GAA.Then when players are being paid and less people are going to the matches,the GAA will find themselves just above financial peril.Remember,it could be a three year deal and it can take that long for the GAA to find themselves in trouble.When the deal with Setanta would finally run out,the GAA would come running and crawling back to RTE.

The county boards are our asset in protecting coverage.With the objection of county boards,if the worst case scenario happened,each county board who objects can/could get the county teams to withdraw from the games.

The proposal of Setanta is like stealing a desperate persons water supply in the desert and then hoping to sell it back to him/her.I am not going to budge.I am writing a letter to Niall Cogley to prove these points.The guy must not have done applied management in college (if he ever went there).

You take the issue and discuss its feasibility and folks,for the aforementioned reasons,thats why it is not feasible.

squire1

KdjaCL wrote:

I would imagine most people who post here go to their counties games so it wont affect them other than the GAA getting more money.

Welcome to the age of tv watching sports fans.


kdjac

I go to all my county games and get to Croker to other games as often as I can. Sunday afternoons sitting watching the Ulster or Connaught Finals is what my Summer is all about. Especially now with all the qualifier matches in recent times. I love it, but not enough to drive all the way to Castlebar or Clones to see the game. It would be the radio for me I'm afraid if Setanta get the rights.

blackbelt

Following up from my phonecall the other day,I just rang the Dublin County Board.It seems as though I was wasting my time as they told me that "it was nothing got to do them,it is Croke Park that decide".

I'm quickly losing faith in the Dublin County Board,their opening hours are 9am although I went down early one morning and waited from 9-9:20 and not a sight of any employee,the place was locked up.

It seems that the whole issue of even raising an argument against such a proposal is too much to ask.Plus the DCB were out of touch with what was happening until I told them.

I'm getting more and more p1ssed off.:mad:

looder

RTÈ's coverage is ****e so maybe if Setanta get it, their coverage might be better. Hopefully however, RTÈ keep the rights as IMO it would be the begining of the end for the G A A...

blackbelt

Looder,stop trolling.If you have a problem with GAA take it up with the org,if you have a problem with the game itself,then get off this board.If you don't have a love for the game then you have no business being here.These games should be free to air.Its not about who you think would do better coverage,its about accessibility to see these games.

Can you imagine an 80 year old man down in Kerry wants to watch Kerry v Cork,he's a pensioner and can't venture out much.His right to see the match is under threat.He's a pensioner who might not be able to afford satellite or pay per view tv.

Looder,I can also assure you that Setantas coverage would not even match RTE.I'm under the impression that you have satellite?

RTE coverage is top notch with great commentary from Maloney and the pundits O Rourke,Brolly and Lyster.Gaelic games is a big part of our culture.I'm not going to sit back and let these corporate slugs take it away from us.The reason I feel our viewing rights is under threat is because the GAA have actually publicly stated that they would be interested in hearing both parties claims and that a deal with Setanta could be a worthwhile venture.

Its also interesting to note that the big business bastard,Niall Cogley,is an RTE reject.The man was head of sport coverage in RTE until he left and joined Setanta.So whilst Setanta are looking for a big deal which they think would earn them a fortune,you have a sick bastard like Cogley spear-heading this proposal just to try and get the better of RTE.

If Niall Cogley and Setanta succeeds with their case,it will be the fans and the nation who suffer and then to a lesser degree,RTE.

Imposter

In fairness Blackbelt people are entitled to a different opinion than yours!

Everyone said that Sky Sports was gonig to ruin english football but it has thrived since Sky got the rights (at least the top divisions). Who's to say Setanta couldn't do a better job than RTE! There are some of RTE's commentators that would get on your nerves (which ones is different for different people) so Setanta's could be an improvement! There are worrying points to Setanta getting coverage but I wouldn't be against it completely until I knew more about what was being proposed.

The Rooster

Its a bit ridiculous to suggest Cogley is doing it "just to get the better of RTE" :rolleyes:

He was the one who left RTE to join Setanta, far from a reject. Now he's just doing his job to get as much top sport on Setanta as he can. You cannot blame Setanta for trying to get championship games.

However, the GAA do not have to accept the big money offer, and I admire blackbelt's enthusiasm in trying to get it stopped. Writing to Setanta is a waste of time and effort and just makes no sense. Its the GAA that have to be canvassed to get it stopped.

blackbelt

I never sent the letter to Setanta but I did however talk to a friend in the Fianna Fail party who would have a word with the minister for communications,Noel Dempsey.Hopefully our viewing rights and our culture (sport) will be protected.

I couldn't care if Setanta got the rights and made it free to air but the whole concept of the championship being on pay per view is sickening to me.I just think that these guys in Setanta are trying to get rich off the love we have for our games.

The whole reason I am doing something about it is because this issue could surface without any objection and bang...its too late.I'm not going to let that happen.Some people who say they love gaelic games just sit and say "oh it would be disgraceful if that was to happen".I say,do something about it.