Rumours of an Eir Sport channel on Saorview

medoc

I've heard it said that Eir are considering putting an Eir sport channel on Saorview. What do people think? Is it probable? Could be used as a taster to drive subs to the main channels or even to Eir broadband. And I think some of their Rugby World Cup games have to be FTA too.

Strawberry HillBilly

What rumours ? Source ?

medoc

Strawberry HillBilly wrote: »

What rumours ? Source ?

No source as such. Just seen it mentioned a couple of places online. Though in fairness possibly in comments on online article. Not trying to spread rumours here.

The Cush

Possible source for this speculation, but no mention of Saorview.

A story in the Sunday Times today, Jon Florsheim, managing director of eir's consumer division, said they could launch a FTA channel by the time the 2019 Rugby World takes place but if they don't they could sub-licence the rights to RTÉ or TV3.

13 of the 48 games including all Ireland games, semi-finals and final will be made available for a free-to-air broadcaster. Ireland's games in the Rugby World Cup Finals Tournament are a designated event.

The broadcaster, formerly known as Setanta Sports, will show all 48 games live from Japan in 2019 with 13 of them, including Ireland's pool matches, the opening game, the four quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the bronze final and the final also being shown live on a free-to-air channel yet to be confirmed.

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/174178

icdg

I don't ultimately think it will happen, but it's an interesting prospect, in that getting on Saorview would give them Qualifying Broadcaster status and obliviate the need to sub licence the RWC rights. However ultimately eir Sport's business is still pay TV and a FTA broadcast would undermine that. Ultimately I think they'll stay subscription and sub licence the RWC.

medoc

icdg wrote: »

I don't ultimately think it will happen, but it's an interesting prospect, in that getting on Saorview would give them Qualifying Broadcaster status and obliviate the need to sub licence the RWC rights. However ultimately eir Sport's business is still pay TV and a FTA broadcast would undermine that. Ultimately I think they'll stay subscription and sub licence the RWC.

I agree but it would be nice addition to Saorview. It might have helped lower the costs for other potential broadcasters to join too.

STB.

The Cush wrote: »

Possible source for this speculation, but no mention of Saorview.

A story in the Sunday Times today, Jon Florsheim, managing director of eir's consumer division, said they could launch a FTA channel by the time the 2019 Rugby World takes place but if they don't they could sub-licence the rights to RTÉ or TV3.

13 of the 48 games including all Ireland games, semi-finals and final will be made available for a free-to-air broadcaster. Ireland's games in the Rugby World Cup Finals Tournament are a designated event.

I read that at the time and it was clear that he wasnt aware that their winning of the rights meant nothing if they didn't have a free to air output for them.

Of course they will have to give the games to RTE or TV3. The games are protected.

As ICDG says launching a FTA sports channels make no sense to their business model which is subscription TV. And they wont get a commercial slot on the mux that supports CI+ as there is no commercial mux. They are currently offering the sports channels to new and existing broadband customers for a limited period. Thats the model.

former total

If they're as ambitious as they say they are, and are pitching for GAA and rugby rights, then an FTA outlet would be valuable in doing so.

I don't see it happening though, they're very clear that the sports channels are primarily a way to sell broadband and Saorview would be a distraction from that.

Atlantic Dawn

For €1 million a year to be on Saorview in crappy quality SD there would be far better ways for them to advertise their premium channels instead.