RTÉ ARE IN danger of losing the rights to show League of Ireland games this season.
The 42 has learned that the national broadcaster has been trumped in their bid for Premier Division coverage by Virgin Media, who are now set to be the primary broadcaster after committing to show double the number of games as their rival and increase TV revenue for clubs.
It’s understood that Virgin will air 36 fixtures and broadcast at least one a week for the entire Premier Division campaign.
While all top-flight clubs are believed to be in favour of the Virgin deal, and made their wishes known to the FAI, it’s believed that the governing body has yet to formally sign off on the plan.
However, a decision is imminent with the new season only one month away.
RTÉ and Virgin shared coverage of 29 games in the men’s Premier Division in 2024, and figures released from the FAI last month revealed how there was a 42% rise in TV viewership compared to 2023.
Virgin now want to show a minimum of 36 league games with additional rights for the FAI Cup and European fixtures also up for grabs.
Sources in RTÉ have admitted they are devastated at the news after those who contribute to their live coverage were informed by head of sport Declan McBennett earlier today that they were set to lose the rights.
The 42 has learned that senior FAI figures have attempted to find a compromise to any TV deal that would include RTÉ but there has been no further movement regarding that.
It would be major blow for the national broadcaster, who only earlier this month stated in one of their own media releases for 2025 sports coverage that “the League of Ireland will be in full action on Friday nights.”
As well as the rise in attendances at games and record sale of season tickets at several clubs, the sharp increase in TV figures prompted Virgin to act and go it alone.
In December, the League of Ireland released a statement explaining that during 2024 “there was an average peak of 115,246 viewers for the season rising from 81,922 in 2023 while the mean average audience for games in the top flight increased from 48,863 to 69,461.
“In a record-breaking year for the League of Ireland, average TV viewership for the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division also rose 70% from 8,536 to 14,533 on TG4 with the average peak audience jumping from 24,009 to 33,608 this season.
“There has also been a 63% rise in average viewing per game since 2022 in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division with the mean average rising from 42,583 viewers to 69,461 while the average peak increased from 72,500 to 115,246.
“With a rise in the number of televised games, a total of 4.2 million views of televised fixtures across the League of Ireland, Sports Direct Men’s and Women’s FAI Cups and Avenir Sports All-Island Cup. This is an increase of 35% from 3.1 million in 2023.”
The curtain raiser of the new men’s season is the President’s Cup between champions Shelbourne and FAI Cup winners Drogheda United on 7 February.
The campaign begins the following weekend with a showpiece Dublin derby between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers taking place at Aviva Stadium on Sunday, 16 February.
I’m saying this as a Connacht supporter – Wilkins is way out of his depth and should resign. Mark Sexton is leaving in May a year early because Wilkins pays no attention to his assistants and picks the team out of his arse. Forde is a 10/12 not a 13. That kick to the corner is simply unforgivable for a professional.
Did Carty go off injured or what happened?
@Patrick Kennedy: it’s hard to reconcile that performance tonight with the 2nd half last week against Leinster. Connacht still really inconsistent. Really good one match and then desperately poor the next. Agree about Forde, definitely not a 13.
Pete Wilkins hasn’t a clue, God love him. This is a very, very poor Ulster side but they were well worth it. Said last night it was the Munster team of the professional era and the same applies to this Connacht outfit. They are even worse than anything seen pre Pat Lam, and they hit some terrible lows some of those years. Mack Hansen laughing and joking on the pitch after getting beat at home was completely unprofessional but the king of banter can do what he wants without repercussion, it seems.
Ulster showed mettle, fair play to them.
Wilson outplayed Bealham tonight , we might want to start to bring him into the Irish fold . Good to see Treadwell have a good game too, not too long ago he was a regular fixture in the Irish 23
@Owen ODonoghue: Bealham won 3 scrum penalties and in the Irish Times and Independent match report was highlighted as probably Connacht’s best player.
@Owen ODonoghue: Wilson is a better dancer, but Bealham is a better scrummager.
@Owen ODonoghue: Agreed that Wilson should be brought in, but were you watching the same match? Wilson resorted to leaving his feet back an extra foot or two to simulate a collapse on Bealham’s side. He’s good, but Bealham was on top for sure.
All this talk about Ulster losing 5 in a row can’t see any other province other than Leinster taking on Toulouse and Bordeaux in successive weeks and coming away with points. Considering the injuries and the experience of the team Ulster putout tonight
I thought they were well deserving of the win and showed real character.
Just look at the URC league table and in spite of the TV Pundits tonight it is Leinster 1 Ulster2 Munster 3 Connacht 4
for now at least.
As for the criticism of Murphy perhaps they should consider the players released by the previous regime and how he has brought numerous player through from the academy and rejuvenated some others and has got a team out without resorting to Medical Jokers.
@Neill Thallon: I don’t know why some are saying pressure was on Murphy, don’t think any Ulster fans were thinking that. Losing to Cardiff wen 21 points ahead was poor, but surprise results like that with an inexperienced team are to be expected this season, Toulouse was written off, Bordeaux was close untill last 20 mins with injury hit side, Leinster can never expect to beat, esp when missing so many front liners, Munster was a loss, but injurybhit 14 man Ulster actually dominated 15 man Munster on everything but the scoreboard, was a loss that great heart could be taken from, not sure why Connacht were such heavy favourites going into this, though it would be close and put money on Ulster at those odds was great value.
If Ulster had taken those wins they should have won, V Cardiff and Munster they would be right up in then top end of the table, as it is 2nd half season has easier fixtures and expect them to climb, and secure HCup rugby for next season when this team will be much more developed and consistent with Juarno Augustus and another NIQ to be added, plus any IQ that Ulster can find.
Hansen having a good laugh with Treadwell after the match doesn’t suggest he was heart broken as he was against Leinster. Richie Murphy must be the best Irish coach at the moment and for me the next Irish coach when Farrell leaves.
@Tom Reilly: wouldent go that far with RM wasent he under pressure before the game tonight anyway fine win by ulster
@Tom Reilly: Hansen was probably along with Aki the only Connacht players to play well today. Badly let down by their teammates.
@Michael Corkery: ray ridge says paul boyle is the best number 8 on ireland ive never seen him play as good as dorris conan coombes etc zansen was good when he replaced him
@Shanie: not to mention the young ulster forwards
@Michael Corkery: You are right in what you say. However I have little respect or sympathy for Wilkins who sat with a smug smile as his star player covered up for his coaching deficiencies by blaming the referee. Richie Murphy is a brilliant coach, miles ahead of Wilkins.
@Tom Reilly: Fine head coach at u20 level and a fine kicking coach at national level for many years, but still a novice as a head coach and Ulster are only barely in the play off spots with nine rounds and in serious danger of not making European knockouts. Jury still very much out on him as a head coach.
@Conor Lynott: Can you name a better Irish coach?
@Tom Reilly: Cullen.
@Conor Lynott: I don’t think Cullen is really a coach in the stricter terms, more a director of rugby.
@Tom Reilly: That’s irrelevant. His talent in recruiting top class coaching talent and getting the best out of a coaching ticket. This is far more relevant to the role of Head Coach than hands on coaching. Declan Kidney was the same. That’s the reason why so many otherwise good coaches struggle with the Head Coach role. They are not good at picking quality assistants or the administrative parts of the role. Cullen is excellent at this and that makes him a stronger coach. Just because you’re good at hands on coaching doesn’t make you a good head coach. A current example of that is Stuart Lancaster. Excellent hands on coach with the right group, struggling badly as Head coach at Racing 92.
@Tom Reilly: Murphy could be very good and has started well, very early in head coach role to judge but currently better RoG, McCall, Davidson.
@Conor Lynott: Don’t think the jury is out at Ulster it is firmly behind Murphy who with injuries and a weak squad to start with, he has brought on many players from the academy.
He is a breath of fresh air compared to McFarlane who in his last two seasons was a real turn off for the fans.
In Dan view it was never his fault and when you apply for other posts while still under contract you can’t expect the fans to be behind you.
@Tom Reilly: Pro rugby players doing pro rugby player things.
@Conor Lynott: Hahaha …… Cullen …… hahaha!
@Tom Reilly: Jeremy Davidson
Well deserved ulster some fine young players coming through as well the boys from the west had chances but like munster didnt take them
@Shanie: very impressive. Their defence was completely transformed from their CC matches and Munster game where they were frankly easy to score against. Were brilliant in that area tonight as Connacht haven’t been screwed a decent attack (usually).
@Michael Corkery: I’m not understanding the last sentence?
@Brian Kernahan: thanks Autocorrect. That should be ‘ Connacht have a decent attack (usually).
@Shanie: Great game imo, Ulster had to back their defence, there’s a group of young forwards that are playing really well for each other, coming to the second half of the the season that will be very useful, Doak looks the most assured player on the pitch even if he needs to tidy a few areas, he seems really slow, to and from the base of a ruc, but that was a trait that suited their intensions last night, Murphy went well at 10 too, stick to the plan, etc. Also enjoyed Lowerys efforts, took some big hits, but took them well. No more, do teams believe in the momentum of the scoreboard, take 3, get the ball and go again, will we ever see it outside of test rugby again? Seems dumb to me but hey! I’m a long way from the pitch. Jensen was so good off the bench, broke the gainline every time, Connacht unable to capitalise, hard night for the west, they should be okay tho, don’t believe the ‘end of days’ nonsense like some fatalists here, just another glorious weekend of rugby.
@Thesaltyurchin: nice comment and yes i dont listen believe the ray ridges off this world 100 percent negitive every post he is
RM doing great work with the squad at his disposal, bringing through some excellent prospects, Ulster will be very competitive in aother 2 yrs
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