GAA Go

YabaDabaDooley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121458861#Comment_121458861

Spot on. Exactly my sentiments.

mistermiyagi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121457157#Comment_121457157

And why is there a condensed calender? The football championship, after the provincals, has 4 groups of 4, 24 games, in order to eliminate 4 of 16 teams. Who last year were Westmeath, Louth, Sligo and Clare.

RTE showing Dublin v Louth in a meaningless leinster football final over Cork v Limerick in hurling, we know why they're doing it. 'Contracted to show provincal finals' a smokescreen.

All a racket and carefully orchestrated.

Marty's renault won't run itself.

I dont recall GAA County Boards actively promoting Sky when they had games.

All the one to me, have my season ticket, dodgy box when required. But i would be seriously worried about the promotion of hurling. There's few enough big games in an even shorter window now. RTE should be doing more, the top games should be available to kids up n down the country.

howiya

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121459519#Comment_121459519

Why should RTE be doing more to promote hurling or any other sport for that matter? Its up to the GAA to decide how its games are promoted. And it would appear that the GAA are happy with the arrangements.

spot555

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121458861#Comment_121458861

This was just a load of nonsense though from Virgin Media - gaa had to issue a statement to correct VM's claims:

GAA corrects record on VMTV statement

Wednesday 10 May 2023

On Tuesday May 9th, VMTV (Virgin Media Television) issued a statement that called into question the integrity of the GAA Media Rights process.

The statement contained several factual errors and misleading comments.

The GAA contacted VMTV and requested that they correct their statement. Since this has not been forthcoming, the GAA, reluctantly, issues the following to correct the record.

Strategically, the GAA media rights are designed to:

a) Maximise coverage. We bias toward ‘Free To Air’.

b) Support the Irish language. We bias toward TG4.

c) Generate a fair commercial value for our rights. We seek to keep commercial tension to the fore by seeking an agile, competent third party.

1. From as early as February 2021, the GAA contacted VMTV and other parties to gauge their interest in acquiring rights packages that would become available in the renewal of the GAA media rights in 2022. The initial call was followed up by a detailed description of the various packages available.

2. Thereafter followed several meetings, telephone calls, emails and document exchanges between the parties.

3. The GAA did not receive a formal bid from VMTV or an expression of interest.

4. In June 2022, VMTV were again contacted to clarify that they did not intend to make a bid. VMTV were clear that their model was not to acquire rights but rather to acquire ‘ready to go’ packages ie productions which don’t require outside broadcast set-ups for live match coverage.

5. In short, VMTV were afforded every opportunity to discuss options, variations to packages and to submit a confidential offer. VMTV choose not to bid.

6. GAA continued discussions with other parties.

7. Specifically in respect of one party, the GAA was unable to deliver Sky’s preferred selection as strategically we wanted greater free to air coverage for our National League Package. These rights subsequently went to TG4 and RTÉ. Whilst Sky did bid for a lesser package, the GAA decided to progress with GAAGO.

This was because GAAGO could facilitate greater flexibility on match schedules, provide coverage for an additional 24 games and offer the opportunity for more flexible pricing for viewers and members. The finances involved were in fact similar.

8. Recently GAAGO has been the subject of considerable commentary and we will conduct a comprehensive review of its operation at season end.

evolvingtipperary101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460867#Comment_121460867

I acknowledged this response in my original post. That response doesn't prove anything. It's just a reply. Their side of the story after the horse had bolted. Don't believe a word of it. Don't believe a word from Quinn, McBennett, or McCarthy. Wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. Don't believe anything that involves RTE.

If there is a bias toward TG4... use it. Friday night matches. Saturday matches. Matches at the same time as RTE on a Sunday. Sunday evening matches. Monday night matches. Million ways to go about it. Why don't they give more matches to TG4? Way more matches. Why don't they give packages to Virgin?

This is a cash grab that suits RTE more than anyone.

howiya

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460905#Comment_121460905

When you say give matches/packages to Virgin and TG4 do you mean give for free? Because there's zero evidence that either would pay for more TV rights.

spot555

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460905#Comment_121460905

I know it doesn't prove anything but I'd sure as hell believe the GAA ahead of VM any day personally.

I'm not a fan of how RTE runs itself by any means but It's pretty clear to see that the GAA couldn't do a streaming service on their own so they got in a partner in the form of RTE to do the broadcasting and streaming side of things as they've experience in it.

TG4 already shows a huge amount of Gaelic games matches. If the gaa didn't have someone taking on the rights be it their own service in GAAGO or TV3/sky the matches simply wouldn't be broadcast due to cost.

mistermiyagi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460561#Comment_121460561

You know what i mean.

It's obviously the GAA's responsibility to promote the games. But money is the bigger priority over promotion.

jj880

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460905#Comment_121460905

"GAA corrects record on VMTV statement"

Translation:

"RTE tells GAA what to say to hide their joint cash grab"

keeponhurling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460905#Comment_121460905

At best, RTE leave themselves wide open to the perception of a conflict of interest. And yet somehow they (and the GAA) seem to be very comfortable with this.

RTE already have a very toxic image, rightly or wrongly, and they really don't help themselves.

PeadarCo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121486902#Comment_121486902

But why should all GAA matches be free to air? I appreciate the GAAs popularity but for most minority sports in Ireland paying a subscription is the default if you are lucky. RTE are the public broadcaster not the GAA channel. That's before we talk about other non sporting interests that RTE have to cater for.

GAA Go is fair. Broadcasting matches cost money given the large amount of money already spent by RTE on the GAA why should even more money be diverted from other areas?

It makes sense for RTE to be involved as they have the infrastructure and knowledge to broadcast games which the GAA don't have. The vast majority of people have no interest in matching every game going and it's only fair that the minority that do should pay for it. All the major matches are still free to air.

If you take away GAA Go most of matches covered by GAA Go would never receive any sort of broadcast as there simply isn't sufficient interest. Due to tremendous work by the GAA as a whole over the last 100 odd years people are blessed by the amount of matches available on TV. But if you are any way interested in any minority sport(in an Irish context at least) you would know that even a paid subscription service is a massive deal. Most can't even manage that. A lot of people involved in these sports would argue RTE spend too much money on the GAA as it is.

roosterman71

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121490022#Comment_121490022

What do you mean by "would never receive any sort of broadcast as there simply isn't sufficient interest"? I've highlighted some below that would be drawing substantial viewers to tune in

April 6th

Connacht SFC Quarter-final: London v Galway

April 7th

Connacht SFC Quarter-final: New York v Mayo

April 14th

Leinster SFC Quarter-final: Kildare v Westmeath / Wicklow

April 20th

Munster SFC Semi-final: Kerry v Cork / Limerick

April 21st

Munster SHC RR1: Waterford v Cork

April 27th

Leinster SHC RR2: Antrim v Wexford

Ulster SFC Semi-final Fermanagh/Armagh v Down/Antrim

April 28th

Munster SHC RR2: Cork v Clare

Leinster SFC Semi-final 1

Leinster SFC Semi-final 2

May 4th

Munster SHC RR3: Waterford v Tipperary

Leinster SHC RR3: Wexford v Galway

May 11th

Munster SHC RR3: Cork v Limerick

Leinster SHC RR3: Carlow v Kilkenny

Tailteann Cup Rd 1 game

May 18th

Round Robin SFC Rd 1 x 2 games

Tailteann Cup Rd 2 game

Leinster SHC RR4: Dublin v Kilkenny

May 25th

Round Robin SFC1 x 2 games

May 26th

Leinster SHC RR5: TBC v TBC

June 1st

Round Robin SFC Rd2 x 2 games

Tailteann Cup Rd 3 game

June 8th

Tailteann Cup Preliminary Quarter Finals x 2 games

June 15th

Round Robin SFC Rd 3 x 2 games

Tailteann Cup Quarter-finals x 2 games

June 16th

Round Robin SFC Rd 3 x 1 game

June 22nd/23rd

All-Ireland SFC Preliminary Quarter-finals x 4 games

June 29th

All-Ireland SFC Quarter-finals x 2 games

RTE aren't the only show in town. Virgin have plenty of experience in putting on sports. Hell, most of it is outsourced to different production companies anyway. The BBC show games as well.

If there's a streaming service, I'd say every game should be on it, except those on free to air. Why pay over the euros and still be limited in what you can see

PeadarCo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121490157#Comment_121490157

My point about interest is around Free to Air. The vast majority of the population will not watch every match going and it's not worth it for RTE or Virgin Media to spend the money televising these games. Remember a lot of those matches won't sell out the stadiums that host the matches. Sky pulling out tells you a lot on its own.

The GAA is a fantastic organisation and an entry point to sport for huge numbers of young people that benefits every sporting organisation in Ireland. But the fact is GAA matches being Free to Air is a luxury not a god given right. Anyone involved in a smaller sport unfortunately understands that fact.

You can also have too much of something and due to the fact that the GAA has finally brought it's competition structures out of the 19th century there simply are far too many matches to broadcast free to air. That's where GAA Go comes in. If you want to watch every match you can for a small fee. The wider public shouldn't have to bear those costs.

With the mess that RTE is in a lot of focus will come on it's public service remit. Is spending large amounts of money on the GAA a rich organisation really a good use of money when compared to supporting the Irish drama and media production?

The discussion on GAA Go assumes the free to air sport is a right and that broadcasting matches have 0 costs which it isn't true and it ignores the wider media landscape and the wider obligations that RTE particularly has to cater for. Obviously there will always be free to air GAA matches. But to expect every match to be free to air is completely unrealistic.

evolvingtipperary101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121490400#Comment_121490400

Two points you're over looking - people don't trust rte & people don't respect rte.

RTE wastes vast amounts of money. It is a body, apparently a government body, that is corrupt and willfully and clandestinely overspends taxpayer money.

It lobbied for license fee increases throughout decades of overspending (and still is).

The GAA has decided to allow RTE to use the GAA to increase their (RTE's) revenue. Possibly the worst decision ever by the GAA top brass and the president. The service provided by RTE, GAAGO, has been terrible. A whole host of problems from just getting the thing to work to camera work to losing the stream to customer service to on and on. Typical RTE Sport.

Several counties have set up streaming partnerships that are working. They're proving profitable. These profits are traceable. RTE, a public service broadcaster, has proven to be untraceable and uncommunicative in its spending habits.

RTÉ is financed by the television licence fee and through advertising - why should RTE have access to GAA's people's money?

The GAA is more than capable and profitable enough to set up it's own streaming service, if counties can do it (Galway brought in nearly 200,000 for its streaming), so, what the hell is going on here? Why do the GAA need RTE for this?

People smell a rat. I don't see how anyone could not question this arrangement.

RTE and GAAGO (RTE) want you to focus on issues of streaming games and it simply being impossible to show every game. These are minor issues. Smoke screens.

If I was a betting man, the issues coming to light now about the TLL Musical Show and pay, pay off, and severance packages, will be the issues of GAAGO in the future.

A decade down the line, expect to see statements like this: '"Significant concern" was expressed by RTÉ's Audit and Risk Committee over how the sponsorship revenue for Toy Show The Musical was reflected in the show's accounts.'

The most populated hurling county is behind a paywall in three games this coming summer. That's a cash grab. People are being suckered by a government body that they already bank roll.

PeadarCo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121491926#Comment_121491926

I agree with the point on RTE there is a lack of trust for obvious reasons.However RTE doesn't get money from the GAA it's the opposite. Those free to air rights don't come free for RTE. Why should one of the richest organisations in the country get millions from RTE while most other sports are lucky if they even get on 5 second mention on RTE news once in a blue moon? Now thankfully the GAA is probably also the one of the best run organisation and this money is due to the GAAs historic success at grassroots. But I'd be careful about complaining about the RTE relationship with the GAA. It's the envy of every other sporting organisation in the country. This whole discussion is testament to the iron grip the GAA has on RTE. Again getting any regular exposure on RTE is a pipe dream for nearly every other sport. RTE will have to make cut backs and that will probably include the money spent on TV rights including the GAA. So be very careful what you wish for.

But on broader point to have a streaming service to work it has to be profitable so some big games are going to be on it to attract the more casual viewer. Getting rid of RTE won't change that. The casual viewer will also expect higher production values again costing money. This is made worse by the fact the provincial championships still exist in football. The GAA wants these finals to be broadcast despite some of them historically (ie Leinster championship) being very poor games. It's fair to say most of the Munster hurling matches are far far better than anything in the early stages of the football championship. But that's the GAAs decision. There are too many games to televise free to air and the GAA wants certain games free to air limiting the options. The alternative is that a lot if not most of the games on GAA Go would never be broadcast due to time constraints.

evolvingtipperary101

Hopefully, in the future, Clubber will get the Senior Munster Hurling championship and that'll be that for the GAAGO/RTE.

roosterman71

Where did you see that from Clubber? I've signed up but can't see a schedule, or what they will show.

evolvingtipperary101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121521271#Comment_121521271

It was on Twitter and I've seen it on a few online newspapers but it was removed since. So, maybe, they jumped the gun on an official launch or something... maybe RTE/TG4 lost their **** when they saw it and started ringing headquarters?

Clubber announce three-year media deal with Munster GAA to show Tipperary matches - Tipperary Live

This is the preseason schedule:

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121519337#Comment_121519337

It's never going to happen.

GAA are never going to sell individual provincial packages.

Regardless of what some people think many GAA fans outside of the provinces themselves don't real care that much for the Munster Hurling Championship or the Ulster Football Championship, certainly not enough to pay for it separately from the rest of their GAA.

And at the end of the day what difference would it make.

It would still be expensive to buy as a consumer (because it would be expensive to produce) plus it would be online and all the 79 year olds who love their hurling but live on the side of a mountain and can't get Internet would not be able to watch it.