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Michael Duignan on Sky coverage and the GAA

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Replying To Barrowsider:  "He said this on the same program that then proceeded to show around 1 minute of the Carlow game and likewise with armagh. I'm sure there are plenty of old people in Carlow and armagh or Westmeath that would have liked to see some decent highlights of their games as they were unable to attend."
Excellent point, my wife couldn't attend a thrilling game in pt as our little boy wasn't well, she did get to see 5 mins of highlight that didn't show disallowed goal or the call for free at the death them had mealy mouth bs for pundits afterwards from people who obviously hadn't even watched the match, last week we had ose saying Sligo had a chance to win game at end when they missed a goal chance , factually incorrect as it was 3 point lead at time at the point came instead of the goal. But the worst was his blatent lies in saying Meath fans booed team after game, it was a disgusting comment and total lies on his and rte part. I will gladly pay sky for accurate analysis of games rather than made up bs of useless washed up players.
Rant over

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 10/07/2017 19:38:21    2014424

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Replying To KK1926:  "There's balance though Perfect10. You obviously have little to do with the older generation or as another poster pointed out realise there's no broadband in most of rural Ireland. The hurling and gaa heartlands.

Silly comparison again. Driving on motorways is something older people may not be able to do due to age, most of the same can enjoy a match on tv though.

Put your violin back in..i doubt you're able to play it."
Just to clarify you do not need broadband for sky. Those dishes at side of house you see, there all you need, what's more is they are free with your install

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 10/07/2017 19:46:43    2014426

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Replying To seanfinn:  "Well if the best the 'free to air' can offer is their abysmal analysis on the qualifiers then I am happy for Sky to get involved. The highlights from those games was a joke and the comments were blatantly inaccurate....I don't believe Gooch watched the games at all. He may have known McManus was black carded early in the game (inexplicably) instead of 'flying' per his quote. The ref was terrible in Mon v Wex he gave awful decisions against Wexford and I think tried to balance his bad calls by giving a card to Conor McManus. The ref was awful it seems in Westmeath V Armagh but again no analysis given or no talking points. I am a fan of the SG and RTE but Duignan is full of nonsense on this one...If we want more premium coverage then Sky or other pay per view service must be involved and they will only do that if there are good ties on offer to them."
100% agreement

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 10/07/2017 19:49:05    2014428

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Replying To Inaroundehouse:  "There are lots of Irish people in the UK who's only access to Gaelic Games is through sky tv. Because for some strange reason RTE is not available .
Now most other nationalities in the U.K. Can receive their home channels but not the Irish .
So Sky is a welcome blessing to the Irish there.
So duignan should pull his horns in and look at the bigger picture.
The interest in these games are world wide now. Irish people all over the world are just as much entitled to watch them and duignans mother and father are.
People in the U.K. Have no problem paying to see them. They just want the option of seeing the matches.
Irish government or RTE or whoever is to blame don't offer that option.
The GAA and sky do. And fair play to them and long may it continue.
I actually wish sky showed the lot."
Thats what GAA go is for.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 10/07/2017 19:50:41    2014429

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Replying To zinny:  "Also were not all the Irish Rugby games available on RTE at that time as well - ah but who cares about old people who follow Rugby, they are not entitled to anything."
Rugby games are still FTA.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 10/07/2017 19:59:11    2014433

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I'm just curious if those who are in favour of the sky deal could give me a rough estimate of their annual income, what age they are and if they have any dependants?

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 10/07/2017 20:07:20    2014438

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Hate to correct you, but 4th match Meath v dubs 1991 was first non semi final to be broadcast live on rte"
Yes i stand corrected it was braoadcast on a sunny Saturday afternoon, the first Sat in July, on Sports Stadium in 1991 :) It wasn't the first match before the all-ireland semi final stage to be broadcast live on RTE. The 100th Muster Final between Waterford and Tipp was broadcast live in July 1989. Waterford had a player sent off if memory serves me correctly.

Laois76 (Laois) - Posts: 1270 - 10/07/2017 20:24:54    2014455

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Sky sports half price for gaa 20 per month for 6 months, imagine duignan wouldn't be so stingy and get it In for his dad. ?"
No the 1989 Munster Final was the first before the all ireland semis.

See bottom of page below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship

KK1926 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 175 - 10/07/2017 20:31:18    2014460

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Here's a crazy idea: 'Don't sign up to Sky Sports' if you're only gonna watch 14 GAA games. Maybe they will watch other sports and get great value for that money. Or maybe not sign up to Sky Sports at all. They have a choice."
How about the crazy idea that the GAA don't sell exclusive rights to games to companies that are looking to rip people off. You know as the direct general explicitly said they wouldn't do about 6 months before they bloody did.

If also stated why it's unfair on people. It's been shown that pay tv adversely hits those in lower socioeconomic classes. People in rural areas who have less access to other forms of entertainment. The heartlands of our association.

I've genuine concerns about the benefits of commercialisation within the association. Is it becoming a necessity that we are doing all we can to bleed money out of our membership to fund the projects we're committed to.

Is the association losing its financial freedom. That can very easily happen when the money is flowing you loosen your belt. It's much harder to tighten it then. There's evidence to suggest this sort of thing is happening. The push towards the Super 8s to abate the reduced crowds at intercounty championship.

The pay tv is harder on the South and West of the country also, continuing the trend of the GAA not giving much of a Damn about the association outside of Leinster.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 10/07/2017 20:39:31    2014465

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "How are the GAA allowing it's membership to be taken advantage of? If an unemployed person decided to sign up for pay-per-view UFC fight would it be his choice or would the UFC be taking advantage of him?"
The cost of watching GAA on television has gone up.

The GAA have allowed this to happen.

It's not exactly rocket science what I meant by that.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 10/07/2017 20:40:50    2014466

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Here's a crazy idea: 'Don't sign up to Sky Sports' if you're only gonna watch 14 GAA games. Maybe they will watch other sports and get great value for that money. Or maybe not sign up to Sky Sports at all. They have a choice."
Usually I find you a more reasoned poster but I hate your attitude here.

If you can't afford the to pay you are excluded from being able to watch these games.

I really do not think that's in keeping with the ethos of the game.

I really want our games to be as open as possible.

Long term I really don't see how having fewer people watching GAA is good for the health of the game.

Just because other sports do something doesn't mean we have to.

Our sport is very different. Our rights are not owned by companies such as the premier league or six nations. Our rights our owned by our governing body whose mandate is to promote the games not to maximise profit.

I really wish some people thought a little bit more about that.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 10/07/2017 20:46:30    2014470

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Replying To Whammo86:  "
Replying To GreenandRed:  "How are the GAA allowing it's membership to be taken advantage of? If an unemployed person decided to sign up for pay-per-view UFC fight would it be his choice or would the UFC be taking advantage of him?"
The cost of watching GAA on television has gone up.

The GAA have allowed this to happen.

It's not exactly rocket science what I meant by that."
So when they sell the rights to Sky they should tell them what price to charge Sky subsciptions to GAA members based on the massive 14 per year they broadcast from their multi-channel network?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7346 - 10/07/2017 20:51:39    2014473

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I have doubts over the prudence of the GAA going down the route of pay tv, but you know maybe it is still the right thing to do.

What is really irritating me is the attitude that anyone complaining about this is being entitled.

I'd accuse anyone saying that of being over-privileged.

A bit of humility people wouldn't go a miss.

Sport on tv is hugely important to many people and it doesn't sit well with me that people are getting priced out of that.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 10/07/2017 20:53:17    2014475

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Replying To gotmilk:  "I'm just curious if those who are in favour of the sky deal could give me a rough estimate of their annual income, what age they are and if they have any dependants?"
48, six children, two adult ones both in colleges, lots of expenses with them, youngest is my little boy, born last year very premature ,who has unfortunately a few health problems, no medical card, (thankfully he has under 6 gp card) one thing I will always be thankful to last government for, but pay 170 per month on medication, modest income , herself can't work due to our son. Mortgage, car and all expenses that go with that.
The saving grace, we don't drink (apart from glass or two of wine at Xmas and special occasion, gave up smoking few years ago, I get sky in for the gaa, then let it go in January after the darts, I have little or no interest in soccer , I still watch a bit of f1 but the days of senna prost, or Schumacher are over, its too sanitized these days. I like national hunt racing, and if possible I will try to get to Cheltenham, however not been for couple years

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 10/07/2017 20:57:21    2014476

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Replying To Whammo86:  "How about the crazy idea that the GAA don't sell exclusive rights to games to companies that are looking to rip people off. You know as the direct general explicitly said they wouldn't do about 6 months before they bloody did.

If also stated why it's unfair on people. It's been shown that pay tv adversely hits those in lower socioeconomic classes. People in rural areas who have less access to other forms of entertainment. The heartlands of our association.

I've genuine concerns about the benefits of commercialisation within the association. Is it becoming a necessity that we are doing all we can to bleed money out of our membership to fund the projects we're committed to.

Is the association losing its financial freedom. That can very easily happen when the money is flowing you loosen your belt. It's much harder to tighten it then. There's evidence to suggest this sort of thing is happening. The push towards the Super 8s to abate the reduced crowds at intercounty championship.

The pay tv is harder on the South and West of the country also, continuing the trend of the GAA not giving much of a Damn about the association outside of Leinster."
I don't know who you're replying to there. If people can't afford Sky Sports, they shouldn't buy Sky Sports. The GAA are not making them buy Sky Sports subscriptions because some GAA games are on Sky Sports.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7346 - 10/07/2017 20:58:54    2014478

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The GAA isn't a charity. While I'd prefer the games to be live to air, attendances were dropping due to too many games being free to air.

People of a certain age grew up listening to games on the radio. It was only the All-Ireland semi-finals and finals that were shown live on tv.

These games are available on radio. People just need to return to a habit they had previously.

Do GAA clubhouses with a bar have to pay higher rates for Sky Sports or is it the same price as for households?

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7853 - 10/07/2017 20:59:01    2014479

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All comes down to whether you think sports games are a commodity which should be sold or not. I have terrestrial tv. There's v little sport left on it. GAA coverage on TG4 is brilliant. GAA on RTE is poor but at least I can see the games. There's some horse racing (which I don't follow), some tennis for Wimbledon (again, like watching paint dry), Formula 1 (not a sport at all) and a few other bits and pieces. The joke of a Pro12 rugby too is on. That's about it. GAA is meant to be for everybody. It's not a professional game. It's a game for Irish people from all parts of Ireland. But the suits in the GAA are turning it into a commodity the same as every other sport has done. I think that's wrong. I think this push for tv money, limiting who can watch big matches, ever increasing sponsorship, showing the same big teams every week to boost their marketability... its wrong. A big game like Kilkenny v Waterford should be there to be watched for everyone. That's what the GAA should be about. Not the highest bidder.

Some points, that RTE are poor and doing a bad job, are correct. They have awful football analysts. They're not analysts, they're pundits. And very poor. Almost all of them. Peter Canavan, Jim McGuinness et al on Sky are miles better. But that's missing the point. The GAA can put pressure on RTE to up their game in other ways. But those ways should not be at the expense of people who don't have or can't afford satellite tv.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2550 - 10/07/2017 21:07:34    2014485

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "
Replying To Whammo86:  "[quote=GreenandRed:  "How are the GAA allowing it's membership to be taken advantage of? If an unemployed person decided to sign up for pay-per-view UFC fight would it be his choice or would the UFC be taking advantage of him?"
The cost of watching GAA on television has gone up.

The GAA have allowed this to happen.

It's not exactly rocket science what I meant by that."
So when they sell the rights to Sky they should tell them what price to charge Sky subsciptions to GAA members based on the massive 14 per year they broadcast from their multi-channel network?"]No they shouldn't sell them to Sky.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 10/07/2017 21:12:40    2014488

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "I don't know who you're replying to there. If people can't afford Sky Sports, they shouldn't buy Sky Sports. The GAA are not making them buy Sky Sports subscriptions because some GAA games are on Sky Sports."
No but the GAA could have allowed those games to be shown by TV3 and they would have been free.

So overall the cost of watching games on tv has gone up.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 10/07/2017 21:14:49    2014492

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Replying To Whammo86:  "Usually I find you a more reasoned poster but I hate your attitude here.

If you can't afford the to pay you are excluded from being able to watch these games.

I really do not think that's in keeping with the ethos of the game.

I really want our games to be as open as possible.

Long term I really don't see how having fewer people watching GAA is good for the health of the game.

Just because other sports do something doesn't mean we have to.

Our sport is very different. Our rights are not owned by companies such as the premier league or six nations. Our rights our owned by our governing body whose mandate is to promote the games not to maximise profit.

I really wish some people thought a little bit more about that."
Look it Whammo, I just don't agree that the GAA are responsible for making people sign up to Sky Sports when they don't need to, that's all. People have a choice.

I'm cynical about where their money is going. Super 8 and B All Ireland plans will kill inter-county GAA within 10 years. Sky Sports deal is probably more attractive to sponsorrs like Littlewoods, they'd probably think a Sky audience is more affluent than free-to-air on RTE or TV3.

I suggested this when Sky Sports deal started: they could give older GAA members a type of free Sky Go / Now TV access to GAA games on Sky sports as a goodwill gesture. Could be accessed on most phones through mobile data where broadband is poor or non-existent. Could cast from phone to TV. I'll remain cynical about Duignan because he's years out of date with those remarks and the Sunday game loves some controversy.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7346 - 10/07/2017 21:38:16    2014518

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