THE SIX NATIONS championship could be brought off free-to-air television in Ireland. Earlier this morning, organisers of the competition issued a statement that refused to ‘rule out anything at this stage’.
The biggest problem currently facing RTÉ and Virgin Media is the fact that the Six Nations is not guaranteed to be broadcast live on free to air TV.
Instead, just deferred coverage of Six Nations matches is protected by state legislation, leaving rugby fans vulnerable to losing the right to watch Ireland’s matches live on a non-satellite channel.
Currently the protected programmes on Irish free-to-air TV are:
1: The Summer Olympics
2: The All-Ireland Senior Inter-County Football and Hurling Finals
3: Ireland’s home and away qualifying games in the European Football Championship and the FIFA World Cup Tournaments Ireland’s games in the European Football Championship Finals Tournament and the FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament
4: The opening games, the semi-finals and final of the European Football Championship Finals and the FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament
5: Ireland’s games in the Rugby World Cup Finals Tournament
6: The Irish Grand National and the Irish Derby
7: The Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show
8: The All-Ireland Ladies Gaelic Football Final The All-Ireland Ladies Camogie Final
In contrast, the Six Nations is on a deferred list. In other words, the games can be broadcast but not live.
In a statement issued this morning, the Six Nations said: “Six Nations are in the process of seeking bids for various sets of media rights but these are not due for some time.
“All of this is highly premature and speculative as no proposals have yet been received by any interested party.
We would not rule anything out at this stage and the unions will collectively review and make a decision based on the nature of the offers received.”
The key phrase there is that nothing would be ‘ruled out’ after their present deal ends in 2022.
This has all come to a head since CVC, the private-equity firm, started trying to muscle into rugby, and gain a financial holding in the Six Nations. CVC are in the money-making business. Rugby will make more money from going off free-to-air.
RTÉ said today: “No rights will come to the Irish market until the UK deal is concluded. RTÉ has no view until that happens.” Nor has Virgin Media who declined to comment.
However, an industry source believes the story was leaked deliberately to try and get TV companies to bid more.
“This is a scare story, saying Sky are going to come in and bid £300m for the tournament.
“They are hoping to get BBC, ITV and to a lesser extent, RTÉ and Virgin Media to up their bids.
“It’s a way of getting more money out of everyone because the fact remains very few sporting programmes are free-to-air anymore. I wouldn’t dismiss the story [which appeared in the Rugby Paper] as a flier, per se, but I would say it is a tactical move.
“There is one way to stop it – and that is to change the legislation and make sure Ireland’s Six Nations games are broadcast free to air.”
Hoping Alan gives it another year at least!! Although this year didn’t end well, he was amazing. Definitely has it in him to stay on and be “the wise old head” for all these young lads coming through the ranks.
Hope Alan stays a great player gives it his
Bernard Brogan loves to get his mush in the media lately
He’s only answering questions put to him by the media. What do you think he should do in that situation?
Andrea, if Bernard ignored the media I’m sure yaya would have an even bigger problem with him!!
He could not answer. Not like he’s being forced. Maybe if he spent less time talking to them and more time playing Dublin wouldn’t have been hammered by Donegal
You must be an expert, Steven? You should apply for the managers jobs when it becomes available. And to think we could have won the All Ireland this year if Bernard had just taken a vow of silence!!!
Ya the most important thing is they didn’t win it. They got beat out the game in a game that showed how overrated the golden boy really is
Yes Steven. 2 All Irelands and 2 leagues in the space of 3 years!! Hardly the yardstick of success, is it? As the guy in your photo might say, “D’oh” :)
Ps Steven, the most important thing from this years All Ireland is the fact that Kerry lowered themselves beyond the level of puke football. The purists in Kerry will loath how it was won. But don’t worry, Dublin and Mayo will keep playing the game the way it should be played. We won’t lower ourselves to the level that Kerry and Donegal have ;)
Yet none this year. Remember how Dublin were supposed to be unbeatable? Then again the only reason they lost this year was because they didn’t show up. Bernard said that so it has to be true. Not a good sign of dublins supposed underage superstars if they still need the two of them
No the most important thing is Kerry won. Also your 6 backs playing in position is puke football now? Seeing as that’s what happened Sunday, or did you miss that?
Can’t win it every year lad. Every 2nd year will do for me. Áth Cliath abú!!
The fact is annoys you so much makes it all the sweeter ;)
It doesn’t annoy me buddy. I’m a Dub, it’s not in our nature to be bitter!! Add to that that I’m sipping a pint in Dublin Airport right now means you couldn’t be further from the truth a chara ;)
Not bitter? Your comments would say otherwise
Shame to see this Culchie spite from a Kerry supporter, we usually get it from the counties that never win anything, most Kerry people realise they have no reason to be jealous of others success or sneer when they fall short. The only people claiming Dublin were unbeatable were the media and fair weather supporters.
Well said Gavan. Steven wouldn’t be representative of the Kerry people I’d know. I reckon he’s a kid who needs to grow up and stop being so childish.
All