Only 18 months ago the IFA could barely manage a terrible website or answer the telephone. How things have changed. In the latest marketing frenzy they have now managed to secure the biggest deal in the history of international football in the province with a £6m Sky contract that will also include some domestic Carnegie Premier games.
This is just the coup the IFA were looking for. However, the BBC will be spewing buckets after losing a contract they have held for many, many years. Setanta too have been beaten off by the power of Sky’s media machine.
It is expected that the terms and conditions of the contract will be finalised today. Although the Beeb were prepared to double the £2.5million they paid to cover Euro 2008 qualifying, it seems that the overall financial muscle and ‘extras’ Sky say they will offer have proved too attractive for an IFA hungry for international recognition.
The match with Denmark in Belfast on November 17 th will be the last to be shown by BBC NI for the time being. Although such a deal will increase the profile of our players and our domestic league, it’s another slap in the face for the ordinary fan on the street and another example of Sky forcing the hand.
All major competition now seems to be controlled by Sky meaning those supporters with terrestrial TV miss out. With our supporters playing such a major role in our recent international success it is unlikely any consideration will have been given to them. Certainly, if the IFA wish to increase the exposure and positivity of their brand, they’re going the right way about it.
Perhaps Sky Digital could sort out the fact that of all the sport they show none of it is actually ‘live’, as those with terrestrial will know. Sort out the 6-second delay and stop ripping us off. We pay more for digital TV in the UK and Ireland than anywhere else in the world.
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