RTÉ/TG4 win Magners League rights

icdg

Interesting, though not good news for cable viewers who don't get BBC Alba, BBC Wales, or S4C.

Still doesn't explain Setanta's claim that they will be covering the Magners' League in some shape or form next season...

billybigunz

BBC ni for the ulster games it looks like. Whatever the service I hope they do the league justice.

channelsurfer2

icdg wrote: »

Saw the same advert. I can't see Celtic Rugby letting Setanta get away with airing adverts saying they will be covering the Magners League next season, if in fact they were not covering the Magners League next season!

However, if RTÉ/TG4 have indeed got rights, it may be that their coverage may be shared with Setanta. One scenario, for example, might have RTÉ and TG4 having live rights and Setanta having highlights (the "best of" sounds like a clue). Or, RTÉ and TG4 are rumoured to be covering one game each. No prizes for guess which teams will feature in those matches (clue, it won't be Connacht and Ulster). So RTÉ could show a Leinster game, TG4 a Munster game, and Setanta would still have four other games it could screen over a weekend, which would keep its coverage at nearly the same level it is now (just one less game).

Well theres only one game left in the Magners' League this season. Maybe post Saturday night, we'll learn something.

i suspect its the same as the gaa championship deal where tv3/rte have the live game and setanta show full games during the week but not live...just guesswork here but if that is the case it was probably the reason nothing has been announced ie setanta had orginally lost the rights but went back and said can we at least show the games deferred...I did read in one report that bbcNI had got the rights to the ulster matches as part of a grand consortium of with bbc alba picking up the scottish rights... not confirmed either though

RAKM

Yes. I think the key words in the Setanta ad are "best of". This would suggest that they are showing some ML. What the RTE/TG4 deal may be for is the games in the ROI. Setanta may even be able to show games in Wales live in the ROI. IIRC the original TG4 deal seemed to be just whatever was on in Wales. I know someone who works for Setanta and he told me about 2 months ago that they had lost the rights but he did not know for sure to whom. This was before the "best of" ads on Setanta.

Minstrel27

RAKM wrote: »

Setanta may even be able to show games in Wales live in the ROI.

Is this a guess or something you have been told?

RAKM

Minstrel that bit was a guess. "Best of" ML on Setanta might even be just highlights another guess. It will be interesting to see the general reaction when the new contract is revealed in the light of the recent rugby fta controversy.

Minstrel27

I think that it will be similar to Setantas current GAA Championship coverage. Delayed coverage throughout the following week.

channelsurfer2

Minstrel27 wrote: »

I think that it will be similar to Setantas current GAA Championship coverage. Delayed coverage throughout the following week.

if this is the case then the question has to be asked how can the justify charging 16.95 a month next year for the 3 pm premier league matches mainly ( i know they have a few other live events).

I bet the majority of their customers on sky are on deals....

Minstrel27

channelsurfer2 wrote: »

if this is the case then the question has to be asked how can the justify charging 16.95 a month

How can they justify it now?

Digifriendly

Great news if it's RTE/TG4 (ROI); BBC NI (N. Ireland); BBC Alba (Scotland): BBC2W/S4C (Wales) as its all FTA and viewers in N. Ireland/Scotland now on same footing as their counterparts in ROI/Wales. Up to now they have been at a major disadvantage re coverage e.g. in Scotland apart from Glasgow/Edinburgh derbies Scottish rugby viewers have not been able to see any live matches in Scotland this season (except for those with satellite/cable who have BBC2W/S4C). In fact those in Borders area can't even view ML highlights as its STV only. Ironically viewers in Ireland (with Setanta) could see Glasgow/Edinburgh home matches vs Irish sides live but viewers in Scotland couldn't! (Setanta is no longer available outside of Ireland). As for those in NI without satellite there were but a few minutes of only some of Ulster's games at Saturday teatime. Looks like this imbalance has been righted.

icdg

I had to go out after the match yesterday...did Setanta say anything at the end of their coverage about next season???

Macy0161

Not exactly confirmation, but Thornley is saying Magners League on RTE as part of his latest column http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0601/1224271585996.html

Besides, as things stand, next season RTÉ will have the Six Nations live, highlights of the Heineken Cup, the Magners League, Ireland’s under-20 games, A games and the AIB League. Aren’t we moving dangerously close to a monopolisation as it is?

Elmo

I think many columnist are basing it on what the internet is saying.

Besides, as things stand, next season RTÉ will have the Six Nations live, highlights of the Heineken Cup, the Magners League, Ireland’s under-20 games, A games and the AIB League. Aren’t we moving dangerously close to a monopolisation as it is?

Do people honestly think that giving rights to Pay TV providers will help TV3 or TG4 to gain rights to sports. TV3 don't have a history of being interested in sports. Since 2006 (and their sale to DH) they have taken an interest in GAA but only for the All Ireland, unlike either Setanta or TG4 who have supported other live GAA coverage other than the All Ireland (not that RTÉ is much better who just about cover the camogie finals). Respect to TG4 for get the rights to International Rules and for Sponsoring the Irish Team. If TV3 were serious about stopping RTÉ monopoly in any sports they would have done something similar.

Irish broadcasting currently is in a Duopoly stage with TV3 happy to plod along with ITV programming (by the way they have got exclusive monoplolistic rights to such programmes until 2013 surely goes agains RTÉ's TV monopoly?).

Digifriendly

Macy0161 wrote: »

Not exactly confirmation, but Thornley is saying Magners League on RTE as part of his latest column http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0601/1224271585996.html

Depends on way you read the comment. Could mean 'highlights' of ML which is effectively what RTE have had on 'Against the Head' this season or could mean 'live' ML coverage which is an entirely new ball game as they say! Comment on 'monopolisation' tends to suggest it is the latter.

Minstrel27

How can it be a monopoly if another television channel will also be showing live games?

Elmo

Minstrel27 wrote: »

How can it be a monopoly if another television channel will also be showing live games?

Well TG4 will only have some of the ML games, that is if we are sure that they have the games.

Digifriendly

Minstrel27 wrote: »

How can it be a monopoly if another television channel will also be showing live games?

Do RTE not have a stake in TG4 or to put it another way are the 2 channels not inextricably linked? Think I'm right in saying that S4C is jointly owned by BBC Cymru and a independent commercial body? Therefore is TG4's relationship to RTE not a bit similar to S4C's with BBC Wales?

Elmo

Digifriendly wrote: »

Do RTE not have a stake in TG4 or to put it another way are the 2 channels not inextricably linked? Think I'm right in saying that S4C is jointly owned by BBC Cymru and a independent commercial body? Therefore is TG4's relationship to RTE not a bit similar to S4C's with BBC Wales?

No. RTÉ do not own any part of TG4 since 2007. The only link between TG4 and RTÉ is news and current affairs and some Irish Language shows produced by RTÉ, repeated on TG4. All TV Nuacht is broadcast from TG4 studios. TG4 have always had a certain amount of independence. All Commissions, all imports and all sports are bought by TG4 management, RTÉ had very little to do with this even when they were more linked to the channel.

S4C the welsh Channel 4, many of the English language C4 programmes appeared on S4C before the introduction of Digital, S4C is now almost completely Welsh Language. Like RTÉ the BBC provide S4C with News and Current Affairs (The BBC also provide The Welsh Soap Pobol y Cwm, RTÉ do not produce or commission Ros Na Rún).

http://www.s4c.co.uk/abouts4c/e_index.shtml

The BBC provides over 10 hours a week of programming.

http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/culr.asp

Post-independence TG4 continues to receive a programme supply of 365 hours of programming annually from RTÉ, at no cost to TG4, as specified in the Broadcasting Act.

Digifriendly

Elmo wrote: »

No. RTÉ do not own any part of TG4 since 2007. The only link between TG4 and RTÉ is news and current affairs and some Irish Language shows produced by RTÉ, repeated on TG4. All TV Nuacht is broadcast from TG4 studios. TG4 have always had a certain amount of independence. All Commissions, all imports and all sports are bought by TG4 management, RTÉ had very little to do with this even when they were more linked to the channel.

S4C the welsh Channel 4, many of the English language C4 programmes appeared on S4C before the introduction of Digital, S4C is now almost completely Welsh Language. Like RTÉ the BBC provide S4C with News and Current Affairs (The BBC also provide The Welsh Soap Pobol y Cwm, RTÉ do not produce or commission Ros Na Rún).

http://www.s4c.co.uk/abouts4c/e_index.shtml




http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/culr.asp

Thanks for very informative post clearing up my errors re relationship RTE/TG4.

icdg

TG4 started off as Serbhisí Thelifís na Gaelige Teoranta, a wholly owned subsidary of RTÉ. Under the Broadcasting Act 2001 the assets of this company were transfered to a statutory corporation, Telefís na Gaelige, whose members are appointed by the Minister for Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources. RTÉ has a committment to provide 1 hour of free programming to TG4 each day and other programmes are from time to time commissioned by TG4 from RTÉ, but it has no other role in TG4's governance.

S4C is a statutory corporation whose members are appointed by the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport. It commissions all its programmes externally including from BBC Wales and ITV Wales. However neither of the later have a role in governing S4C, and almost uniquely, it isn't regulated except purely in terms of technical regulation (not content regulation). Its a strange anomoly, but the National Assembly for Wales has no power over S4C either - it is a UK state body not a Welsh one.

Elmo

The BBC are also obliged to provide 10 hours a week free of charge to S4C. TG4 also commissions all of its programmes externally.

top spin

BBC TV to screen Ulster Magners League matches
Ian Keatley of Connacht in action against Darren Cave of Ulster
BBC television will cover Ulster's matches in the Magners League

BBC Northern Ireland has secured the rights to show live coverage of Magners League rugby for the next four seasons.

All Ulster's home matches, and the away ones against the other Irish provinces, will be screened on BBC2 NI.

Other away games will be available via the red button or the BBC Sport website if covered by partner broadcasters in Scotland, Wales and Italy.

BBC NI will be providing coverage of the Magners League in partnership with BBC ALBA, RTE and TG4.

The programmes will be presented by Stephen Watson, with Jim Neilly and Ryan Constable in the commentary box.

Peter Johnston, Director, BBC NI said: "We are delighted to be able to announce this new deal, particularly at such an exciting time for Ulster Rugby, with a core of talented young local players set to be joined next season by newly recruited, top-class overseas stars.

"This is a great addition to our sports portfolio for Northern Ireland audiences and great news for rugby fans here."

Ulster Rugby's chief executive Shane Logan believed the deal would help increase interest and involvement in the sport.

"Since turning professional, a little over 10 years ago, rugby has gone from strength to strength," he said.

"This move will bring further new audiences for the game and support our development of the sport at grassroots level."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/8729565.stm

channelsurfer2

that only leaves rte to officially confirm.... looks like setanta have nothing only hope for them is deferred matches in full.

Minstrel27

The BBC on that link say RTÉ and TG4.

Elmo

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/7813469/Celtic-Rugby-secure-improved-broadcast-deal-for-Magners-League-coverage.html

that only leaves rte to officially confirm.... looks like setanta have nothing only hope for them is deferred matches in full.

They have coverage of the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Minstrel27

I do find it odd that RTÉ and TG4 didn't want to make an official announcement. No mention of Setanta anywhere on this, thankfully . This is an incredible amount of coverage for anyone with satellite tv.

From the Magners League website

Celtic Rugby wrote:

Celtic Rugby is pleased to announce that it has secured a new television deal that will see terrestrial broadcasters BBC ALBA, BBC Northern Ireland, RTE and TG4 join its established partners BBC Wales and S4C in televising Magners League games next season.
Share
The deal, which is in place until the 2013/14 season, will see an expansion of live broadcasts of Magners League games into Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Most regular season home matches involving Leinster, Munster and Connacht will be available free to air in Ireland on either RTE or TG4 with a scheduled kick-off mostly of Friday or Saturday evening.

BBC Northern Ireland will focus on Ulster home games, with Friday evening as the preferred kick-off time, whilst Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors games will be covered by BBC ALBA.

BBC Wales and S4C continue with their established Friday and Saturday evening timeslots, with most of their games scheduled for those times.

All broadcasters will enjoy reciprocal feeds, so they can follow their local teams for vital away games, whilst all have agreed to provide live coverage of any end of season Play-Offs matches that fall within their territories.

In welcoming the agreement, David Jordan, Tournament Director, Magners League, said: "It is very good news that we now have strong broadcast partners in the UK and Ireland. Terrestrial free to air television increases access for fans of the Magners League to one of the most competitive tournaments with some of the best-known players in world rugby.

"Our new broadcasters, BBC ALBA, BBC Northern Ireland, RTE and TG4 compliment our existing partners, BBC Wales and S4C, and will provide unparalleled coverage of Magners League games in the coming season."

John Hussey, Chairman of Celtic Rugby and IRFU Junior Vice President commented, "This is a very welcome development for the Magners League as a growing competition.

"With such strong and established terrestrial sports broadcasters committing themselves to the League, it can only continue the development of the competition and is an example of the balance of free-to-air coverage that is needed to support the game in the competing unions."

Dominic McKay Scottish Rugby's, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, added: "We are delighted that both Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors will receive significantly increased broadcast coverage for the seasons ahead.

"Securing regular live coverage of Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh matches has been a focus for Scottish Rugby in recent seasons and we welcome today's announcement by BBC ALBA.

"Both Glasgow and Edinburgh enjoyed a successful season last year and it's great news for rugby and sports fans in Scotland that they will now have access to regular live coverage of both professional teams.

"We look forward to working closely with BBC ALBA in the seasons ahead."

HOW TO WATCH MAGNERS LEAGUE GAMES NEXT SEASON

BBC ALBA

Available UK-wide on Sky channel 168 and Freesat 110. It is available streamed and on seven-day catch-up on iPlayer

BBC ONE Northern Ireland

Virgin channel 863, Sky 973

BBC TWO Northern Ireland

Sky channel 992
Freeview BBC1 NI & BBC2 NI only available in Northern Ireland

BBC TWO Wales

In Wales on Freeview channel 2, digital satellite (Sky and Freesat) 102, and Virgin 102
Outside Wales via digital satellite on channel 991.

RTE

Only available in the island of Ireland

S4C

In Wales on Sky channel 104, Freeview 4, Virgin 167, Freesat 104
In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Sky 134 and Freesat 120

TG4

Only available in the island of Ireland

http://www.magnersleague.com/news/5365.php

Elmo

John Hussey, Chairman of Celtic Rugby and IRFU Junior Vice President commented, "This is a very welcome development for the Magners League as a growing competition.

"With such strong and established terrestrial sports broadcasters committing themselves to the League, it can only continue the development of the competition and is an example of the balance of free-to-air coverage that is needed to support the game in the competing unions."

Shhhh don't tell the minister that, he think to put Celtic Rugby on the list of FTA sports Shhhhh.

icdg

From RTÉ Sport: http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2010/0609/magnersleague_tv.html

Its got its good and its bad:

Sky/Freesat viewers have the best of the bunch - no decrease in coverage and and almost guarentee that at least 5 of the 6 games will be available on the platform between RTÉ Two, TG4, BBC Two Wales, S4C, BBC Two Northern Ireland, and BBC Alba. Obviously there will be exceptions, Italian derbies, games involving Connacht and Italian teams, games involving one of the two Scottish teams and Italian teams, but overall coverage should be well improved on the platform. Of course, this is with the caveat that both TG4 and BBC Alba will be covering the games in Irish/Gaelic and neither plan to offer red button English commentary (as S4C do) to my knowledge (though BBC Alba have promised some of the post-match coverage will be in English).

Terrestrial viewers too have an improvement - their going from zero coverage to two live matches a week.

Cable viewers are losing the most - they will be going from 5 games to 3 (one of which will be in Irish). On interprovincial weekends this will be down to 2 games live as Ulster will be playing on two channels.

And what about Setanta? Surely now they do not have enough rights to fill two channels? Yes there will be probably increased Top 14 coverage to make up and some NRL might move to Setanta Ireland but really they have to be looking at closing one of their two channels at this stage.

Badabing

Agreed it's a big blow to Setanta and not really viable to have 2 full time channels. Anyone if there are any rights up for grabs next season ie.. Super 14 or even Currie cup, Tri Nations would also be a big boost.

Minstrel27

Badabing wrote: »

Super 14 or even Currie cup, Tri Nations would also be a big boost.

Don't Sky already have the Super 14 and Tri Nations?

What is Setantas big draw now? One Premier League game a week?