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Replying To CeachtPeile:  "That's a flimsy excuse. Saying it's fine because they wouldn't have paid anyway is like saying shoplifting doesn't matter if you weren't going to buy the item. It's still theft.
Piracy devalues the GAA's broadcast rights, cuts advertising and sponsor revenue, and so inevitably hurts clubs. It's not harmless - it's freeloading that undermines the whole system."
Do you think the TV licence is ethical?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8119 - 22/06/2025 19:55:16    2619994

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Replying To CeachtPeile:  "That's a flimsy excuse. Saying it's fine because they wouldn't have paid anyway is like saying shoplifting doesn't matter if you weren't going to buy the item. It's still theft.
Piracy devalues the GAA's broadcast rights, cuts advertising and sponsor revenue, and so inevitably hurts clubs. It's not harmless - it's freeloading that undermines the whole system."
your missing my point completely.. Could have had it all with tv3 or even a separate channel... guaranteed sponsorship with all the games would have surpassed any subscription fee (especially when its crap)

ponger (Cavan) - Posts: 587 - 22/06/2025 20:53:11    2620022

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Replying To Ban:  "It's meant to be peak season, 6 top level games this weekend and one live on rte!

I can't wait for the league to come back - see a bit of gaa!"
There were 4 live games on RTE this weekend.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2855 - 22/06/2025 21:35:13    2620031

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "There were 4 live games on RTE this weekend."
I was referring to the top level games so I was excluding the Tailteann Cup stuff. I forgot about the Limerick game being on TV first on Sat.

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1475 - 23/06/2025 14:44:57    2620328

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Do you think the TV licence is ethical?"
Absolutely, it is ethical. It is also the law of the land and for anyone who wants to change it there is a political means to do so.
It funds media that serves everyone, supports Irish culture and attempts to protects access to trustworthy information. Yes, RTÉ who avail of most of the funds have their issues but scrapping the licence (which is a modest charge compared to what people are paying for other media) would just hand more control to commercial media and tech giants.

CeachtPeile (Cavan) - Posts: 160 - 24/06/2025 15:02:23    2620721

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Replying To ponger:  "Not true as your assuming all those people would either subscribe to the match or go to it. Guaranteed that would be a very very low percentage.

They should have left it with TV3 who the GAA owe a debt too over the last few years. If anything they should have expanded TV3 coverage. They have done more for club football than people realise. But no, GAA got greedy4"
Expanded TV3 coverage? GAA owing a debt to them? TV3 helping club football? Pray tell us some details on all that.

The GAA actually approached TV3, now Virgin Media (aka ITV Éire), as early as 2021 about bidding for the rights. They had multiple meetings, calls, and emails-but Virgin chose not to bid. They only wanted ready-made, fully produced packages, which didn't fit what the GAA was offering. The idea that the GAA could have given the rights to Virgin ignores the fact that Virgin didn't want them under those terms.

CeachtPeile (Cavan) - Posts: 160 - 24/06/2025 15:15:59    2620730

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Replying To CeachtPeile:  "Absolutely, it is ethical. It is also the law of the land and for anyone who wants to change it there is a political means to do so.
It funds media that serves everyone, supports Irish culture and attempts to protects access to trustworthy information. Yes, RTÉ who avail of most of the funds have their issues but scrapping the licence (which is a modest charge compared to what people are paying for other media) would just hand more control to commercial media and tech giants."
And you think it was ethical what RTE was doing with the money they collected..? Might be the law but when millions are wasted that goes out the window… The political set really do love a snowflake like yourself…. Grow a pair for Gods sake…!!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 4139 - 24/06/2025 15:18:54    2620731

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Replying To CeachtPeile:  "Absolutely, it is ethical. It is also the law of the land and for anyone who wants to change it there is a political means to do so.
It funds media that serves everyone, supports Irish culture and attempts to protects access to trustworthy information. Yes, RTÉ who avail of most of the funds have their issues but scrapping the licence (which is a modest charge compared to what people are paying for other media) would just hand more control to commercial media and tech giants."
The licence is around since 1962. With the amount of VAT the government coins in from broadcasting and Internet activities and hardware, how is ethical to still have a mandatory licence for viewers? It's obsolete. RTE television takes in advertising revenue, sells some TV shows abroad, sells some media online. It should be standing on it's own two feet better and if they have put forward a case for some funding the government can fund but not by taking out of pockets of those where €160 could go a long way.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8119 - 24/06/2025 15:29:26    2620737

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GAA are fleecing the faithful. Many supporters paying club memberships, buying weekly lotto, season tickets whatever. Championship tickets increased this year, munster hurling Championship tickets increased 2 years in a row. Too many games behind pay wall. Donegal and Galway last weekend and this weekend. No such this as free to air tv in Ireland, tv license fee takes care of that.

Yes I'm from Donegal and will be accused of moaning. The condensed season is hitting all fans hard in the pocket, I make it 16 out of around 21 weekends at either league or Championship games following Donegal this year, similar for other county supporters too. It all adds up especially when you are bringing family members too.

Having met and spoken with Jarlath Burns many years ago, I genuinely had hope when Burns came in as president, but alas he's one of the boys and has adopted a laissez-faire policy, not going the rock the boat, or should I say the cash cow. He has presided over ticket hikes and greed with the annexing of gaa go now plus for total control.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1095 - 24/06/2025 15:36:28    2620742

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Replying To totalrecall:  "GAA are fleecing the faithful. Many supporters paying club memberships, buying weekly lotto, season tickets whatever. Championship tickets increased this year, munster hurling Championship tickets increased 2 years in a row. Too many games behind pay wall. Donegal and Galway last weekend and this weekend. No such this as free to air tv in Ireland, tv license fee takes care of that.

Yes I'm from Donegal and will be accused of moaning. The condensed season is hitting all fans hard in the pocket, I make it 16 out of around 21 weekends at either league or Championship games following Donegal this year, similar for other county supporters too. It all adds up especially when you are bringing family members too.

Having met and spoken with Jarlath Burns many years ago, I genuinely had hope when Burns came in as president, but alas he's one of the boys and has adopted a laissez-faire policy, not going the rock the boat, or should I say the cash cow. He has presided over ticket hikes and greed with the annexing of gaa go now plus for total control."
Have you read last years Annual Report? The GAA doesn't run on fresh air and lets be honest the surplus recorded is modest on a turnover of €133mil. In fact, the surplus is fully attributed to stadium hire, otherwise there would have been a modest loss. And you can argue and moan all you like but this is the harsh reality. GAA+ had to be brought in because there was simply no interest from other broadcasters in providing the games. By all accounts it's been a success by allowing the GAA control their product & broadcast games that would not have been otherwise shown. Yes there's a cost but as I've said the organisation doesn't run on fresh air. At a cost of €79 (with a further 10% discount for GAA members) for 40 games it's not bad to be honest.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1411 - 25/06/2025 12:56:06    2620946

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "There were 4 live games on RTE this weekend."
And 2 minor football semi finals live on tg4.
So if you add up all the games shown by Rte and tg4 it amounts to 6 live games. Simple maths really.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 527 - 25/06/2025 13:21:17    2620955

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Your semi permanent reminder that this current rights deal is in place until 2027 so you'll see these posts next year and the following one.

I'll put it in caps to emphasise it...RTE HAS THE RETAINED THE RIGHT TO SHOW 31 LIVE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

And I'd be shocked if things change in the rights deal from 2028-32 or whatever period it will be.

It may even get worse from a live tv broadcast point of view in the next round of discussions, the GAA might say bugger it we'll just let them show provincial finals, some quarters, the semis and finals on terrestrial television and we'll keep the rest on the paywall. They can decide what they like

And those applauding gaapaywall might not be so happy if the GAA ramp up the annual cost to 250 euro or whatever, it's their prerogative. And there's nothing to say that Sky or Premier Sports won't win the tv rights either.

I'd be hoping tg4 are saving their money to outbid rte to the rights for terrestrial gaa championship broadcasts in 2028, because I feel they deliver a much better product.

boxtyburgerbuns (Leitrim) - Posts: 416 - 25/06/2025 14:16:48    2620969

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Replying To boxtyburgerbuns:  "Your semi permanent reminder that this current rights deal is in place until 2027 so you'll see these posts next year and the following one.

I'll put it in caps to emphasise it...RTE HAS THE RETAINED THE RIGHT TO SHOW 31 LIVE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

And I'd be shocked if things change in the rights deal from 2028-32 or whatever period it will be.

It may even get worse from a live tv broadcast point of view in the next round of discussions, the GAA might say bugger it we'll just let them show provincial finals, some quarters, the semis and finals on terrestrial television and we'll keep the rest on the paywall. They can decide what they like

And those applauding gaapaywall might not be so happy if the GAA ramp up the annual cost to 250 euro or whatever, it's their prerogative. And there's nothing to say that Sky or Premier Sports won't win the tv rights either.

I'd be hoping tg4 are saving their money to outbid rte to the rights for terrestrial gaa championship broadcasts in 2028, because I feel they deliver a much better product."
How do you know things won't change? Media revenue for 2024 was €13.3mil... and it's likely the bulk of this was from RTE & TG4. You can't assume that these organisations will pay the same again when the rights come up for renewal or that any new providers will want to pay up for media rights. And then how do you plug the gap if there's a loss of TV revenue? The GAA has to protect itself from this and GAA+ is one way in which they can do this.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1411 - 25/06/2025 15:46:38    2620995

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "And you think it was ethical what RTE was doing with the money they collected..? Might be the law but when millions are wasted that goes out the window… The political set really do love a snowflake like yourself…. Grow a pair for Gods sake…!!"
Criticising RTÉ's misuse of funds is entirely valid - and I would do similarly. But there is visibility on this thanks to the democratic process, however imperfect it may be.

Scrapping the licence fee doesn't solve corruption or waste. It weakens one of the few mechanisms we have to fund media that isn't driven solely by profit. The system needs to be fixed not destroyed.

As for the pathetic name-calling - if that's the best you can do, you're not debating, you're deflecting.

CeachtPeile (Cavan) - Posts: 160 - 25/06/2025 16:38:01    2621011

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Replying To Square_B:  "How do you know things won't change? Media revenue for 2024 was €13.3mil... and it's likely the bulk of this was from RTE & TG4. You can't assume that these organisations will pay the same again when the rights come up for renewal or that any new providers will want to pay up for media rights. And then how do you plug the gap if there's a loss of TV revenue? The GAA has to protect itself from this and GAA+ is one way in which they can do this."
What I mean is there won't be an increase in terrestrial broadcast games, if anything it will probably be less as the gaa try to get everyone on to gaapaywall

boxtyburgerbuns (Leitrim) - Posts: 416 - 25/06/2025 16:45:53    2621015

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "The licence is around since 1962. With the amount of VAT the government coins in from broadcasting and Internet activities and hardware, how is ethical to still have a mandatory licence for viewers? It's obsolete. RTE television takes in advertising revenue, sells some TV shows abroad, sells some media online. It should be standing on it's own two feet better and if they have put forward a case for some funding the government can fund but not by taking out of pockets of those where €160 could go a long way."
The licence fee exists to fund public service broadcasting, not just to prop up RTÉ's business arm. Its purpose isn't obsolete just because other revenue streams exist - those streams are volatile and shaped by market forces, not public interest.

Having independent, Irish-focused media that isn't entirely at the mercy of advertisers or global tech platforms matters. Funding it through general taxation might be an alternative, but that's a political decision - not a reason to declare the current model unethical. There may be lots of things that are funded by taxation that individuals have a problem with but it doesn't give them the right, as citizens of the country, to opt out of paying tax. If we really value quality, independent media, we have to be willing to pay for it.

CeachtPeile (Cavan) - Posts: 160 - 25/06/2025 16:48:28    2621016

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Replying To CeachtPeile:  "The licence fee exists to fund public service broadcasting, not just to prop up RTÉ's business arm. Its purpose isn't obsolete just because other revenue streams exist - those streams are volatile and shaped by market forces, not public interest.

Having independent, Irish-focused media that isn't entirely at the mercy of advertisers or global tech platforms matters. Funding it through general taxation might be an alternative, but that's a political decision - not a reason to declare the current model unethical. There may be lots of things that are funded by taxation that individuals have a problem with but it doesn't give them the right, as citizens of the country, to opt out of paying tax. If we really value quality, independent media, we have to be willing to pay for it."
Some fair points there. I think it's unethical because it's threatening people with jail if they don't pay for it. It made RTE television a bloated organisation be cause it didn't sing for it's supper, not enough acvountanility for taxpayers money plus the fee. It has improved as it outsources more programmes. You can decide whether or not to subscribe to Netflix, Sky, Patreon or Spotify and the government gain. RTE get 85% of the licence fee, Broadcasting Authority get 7%. Many countries don't have a direct TV licence either. It's a double tax.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8119 - 25/06/2025 20:34:30    2621086

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Replying To boxtyburgerbuns:  "What I mean is there won't be an increase in terrestrial broadcast games, if anything it will probably be less as the gaa try to get everyone on to gaapaywall"
Conviently you ignore my point... Do you understand why there was a necessity for the GAA to setup GAA+ and why more games may go on to that platform in the future?

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1411 - 25/06/2025 22:47:36    2621107

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Replying To CeachtPeile:  "The licence fee exists to fund public service broadcasting, not just to prop up RTÉ's business arm. Its purpose isn't obsolete just because other revenue streams exist - those streams are volatile and shaped by market forces, not public interest.

Having independent, Irish-focused media that isn't entirely at the mercy of advertisers or global tech platforms matters. Funding it through general taxation might be an alternative, but that's a political decision - not a reason to declare the current model unethical. There may be lots of things that are funded by taxation that individuals have a problem with but it doesn't give them the right, as citizens of the country, to opt out of paying tax. If we really value quality, independent media, we have to be willing to pay for it."
How independent do you reckon rte is?

The majority of the licence fee should go to tg4 when rte is closed down.

boxtyburgerbuns (Leitrim) - Posts: 416 - 26/06/2025 09:26:23    2621142

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Replying To Square_B:  "Conviently you ignore my point... Do you understand why there was a necessity for the GAA to setup GAA+ and why more games may go on to that platform in the future?"
I didn't ignore it because I didn't see what you were talking about. However reading between the lines you reckon that there is a possibility there would be no bids or reduced bids in 2028 for gaa championship rights?

I would find it hard to believe there would be no bids, and reduced amounts being offered for said rights would buck the trend of tv sporting rights increasing in price in general. In other words that won't happen.

And you are right, I predict more games will go on gaapaywall in future to drive consumers to pay for a subscription, current numbers they won't let us know as I'd imagine it is very much on the low side.

I have zero issue with gaapaywall for customers outside of Ireland btw

boxtyburgerbuns (Leitrim) - Posts: 416 - 26/06/2025 11:58:23    2621174

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