I wrote earlier this year that TV scheduling would increasingly have an impact on when and where games would be played and that the GAA would lose some of its control over fixtures.
There have already been a number of games played at ungodly hours on a Sunday night so that they would not clash with other TV fare.
However, one of the best examples to date of the power of the new TV deal hammered out by the GAA for this season sees Laois and Wexford play this Sunday despite a request for a week's grace from Laois.
The Laois request was not designed to influence the game in any way it was simply a response to the fact that Laois along with Offaly are hosting the All-Ireland Féile na nGael championships.
On another year their request may have had a favourable hearing.
This year however, the Leinster Council simply couldn't grant the request because the rights to televise the game are contracted out to TV3.
What I hope would happen in future is that when the deals are being done about the games that the GAA takes on board the GAA calendar of events for the season to ensure that no major events will clash with each other.
Although in this week's case Laois will be disappointed the TV deal may have the effect of ensuring in the future that the Association's planning for the year is much more professional.
Showing posts with label TV rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TV rights. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
League final latest victim of TV schedules
The National League final has become the latest casualty of the TV schedulers with a 2.15pm throw-in for the Division One decider between Kerry and Derry.
This early start isn't actually too bad but the earlier start of 12.30 for the Division 3 decider at Parnell Park between Wexford and Fermanagh is tough on the supporters of the two sides.
Both sets of fans have around a two-hour trip to the match and the timing of the fixture does put the 'importance' of the game in context because at the end of the day it is a meaningless game as no one will ever remember the year Fermanagh or Wexford played in the Division 3 final.
I find the Divisional play-offs an utter nonsense unless it involves a promotion issue.
For Wexford it will be a reminder that only three to four years ago, told you I can't even remember what year it was despite being at the game, they were in the league final with Armagh, quite a come down.
So despite my reservations about the GAA switching the times of its games to suit the TV stations, I think that the decision in this case is entirely sensible.
Many GAA people will want to see how Munster fare in the European semi final and I think the decision to bring the league finals forward is recognition that we are an integral part of Irish sporting life but we are not an island.
I would be watching the league final regardless but I will now enjoy I hope the Munster game while we are at it.
This early start isn't actually too bad but the earlier start of 12.30 for the Division 3 decider at Parnell Park between Wexford and Fermanagh is tough on the supporters of the two sides.
Both sets of fans have around a two-hour trip to the match and the timing of the fixture does put the 'importance' of the game in context because at the end of the day it is a meaningless game as no one will ever remember the year Fermanagh or Wexford played in the Division 3 final.
I find the Divisional play-offs an utter nonsense unless it involves a promotion issue.
For Wexford it will be a reminder that only three to four years ago, told you I can't even remember what year it was despite being at the game, they were in the league final with Armagh, quite a come down.
So despite my reservations about the GAA switching the times of its games to suit the TV stations, I think that the decision in this case is entirely sensible.
Many GAA people will want to see how Munster fare in the European semi final and I think the decision to bring the league finals forward is recognition that we are an integral part of Irish sporting life but we are not an island.
I would be watching the league final regardless but I will now enjoy I hope the Munster game while we are at it.
Friday, 18 April 2008
TV rights row only a matter of time
There will be a huge collective sigh of relief from Croke Park at comments made by Dublin's Colin Moran about the new multi-million euro TV deal which gave TV3 ten live games this year including the Ulster football final.
Moran reckons that inter-county players aren't interested in a slice of the TV revenue.
He said that players have never really been interested in the TV money and that the GAA has invested heavily in pitches all over the country.
Have to say I hope Moran is right because the Association has invested heavily in pitches and efforts to develop and promote the games all over the country.
The recent announcement about the distribution of the revenues which came out of the rugby/soccer deal was a brilliant example of headquarters getting it right, working through a contentious issue and using the opportunities it gave the GAA to aid the game at the grassroots level with new age all-weather pitches.
I wold love to think that Collie Moran is representative of thinking among players on the TV monies.
However, I am too much of a realist to think for a second that there won't be players already looking at the TV deal and wondering if a strike was enough to get rid of the Cork football manager then a short heave might just secure some of the TV rights.
Moran reckons that inter-county players aren't interested in a slice of the TV revenue.
He said that players have never really been interested in the TV money and that the GAA has invested heavily in pitches all over the country.
Have to say I hope Moran is right because the Association has invested heavily in pitches and efforts to develop and promote the games all over the country.
The recent announcement about the distribution of the revenues which came out of the rugby/soccer deal was a brilliant example of headquarters getting it right, working through a contentious issue and using the opportunities it gave the GAA to aid the game at the grassroots level with new age all-weather pitches.
I wold love to think that Collie Moran is representative of thinking among players on the TV monies.
However, I am too much of a realist to think for a second that there won't be players already looking at the TV deal and wondering if a strike was enough to get rid of the Cork football manager then a short heave might just secure some of the TV rights.
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