The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is soliciting interest for the media rights to selected domestic championship games which were previously broadcast by GAAGo. This call for bids is an outcome of guidance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The advice followed the CCPC’s scrutiny of the GAA’s last broadcasting agreement and the emergence of GAAGo as a rights holder.
Key highlights from the deal announced in October 2022 included the agreement for GAAGo to essentially inherit the portfolio previously held by Sky Sports, who pulled out of the market after a nine-year tenure.
The five-year contract outlined GAA’s broadcasting blueprint for the years 2023 to 2027. However, controversy surrounding GAAGo’s acquisition of the rights led to the country’s competition watchdog recommending a certain portion of the deal to be tendered again after GAAGo’s starting two-year term.
GAAGo, formed by GAA and RTÉ, faced criticism due to RTÉ’s overarching position as the chief broadcaster of championship hurling and Gaelic football games. The choice of games aired by GAAGo brought about controversy as several important matches were placed under subscription access rather than free broadcasting.
Subsequent discourse extended beyond sports, with Taoiseach Simon Harris criticising the GAA’s management of the issue, prompting the association president Jarlath Burns to defend the position.
Additionally, GAA and RTÉ executives had to address inquiries about the arrangement in front of an Oireachtas committee earlier this year, while the CCPC was analysing the enlargement of the subscription model originally designed for an international audience.
The advertisement reads: “The Gaelic Athletic Association are inviting expressions of interest for the media rights of certain domestic broadcast packages for the GAA Championship.”
Interest must be declared by no later than 5pm on Monday, 12th August, by sending an email to mediarights@gaa.ie. This action reignites the opportunity for broadcasters like Virgin Media and TG4 to partake in the process of securing live match broadcasts. Sky Sports may potentially venture back into this market, although GAAGo has a high chance of retaining the rights.
Many have faced difficulties in using the streaming service but considering the advancements in match-day coverage that have been made over the past two years, it is projected that those affiliated with GAAGo wish to maintain their position as rights holders. The contracts that were established with RTÉ and BBC for the period of 2023 to 2027 will remain unaffected by this arrangement.