Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster has written to the competition watchdog, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) seeking clarification on GAA GO streaming GAA matches within Ireland.
Both RTE and the GAA have confirmed to her in the Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, and Media that GAA GO has not yet received clearance from the CCPC to broadcast within Ireland.
Deputy Munster said “In 2017, GAA GO sought and received clearance from the CCPC to stream games abroad for the Irish Diaspora and for those who wanted to watch games while on holidays.
“But they have not received clearance to show games in Ireland, behind their paywall, as they have done this year.
“It has been a topic of concern, and indeed anger in some quarters, that GAA GO has cherrypicked certain GAA matches and put them behind a paywall this year.
“Many fans view this as being double billed to see a match, as they already pay their licence fee for RTE or their TV subscription, which always allowed them to view all televised games.
“The language in the CCPC determination allowing GAA GO to broadcast is quite clear as it says, “excluding the island of Ireland”.
“It is my opinion that GAA GO should not be putting GAA games in Ireland behind a paywall, however I have written to the CCPC seeking clarification on how they will deal with GAA GO operating without clearance.
