The BBC and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) have confirmed a broadcast partnership for the All-Ireland senior Gaelic football and hurling finals.
The five year contract will see the sports streamed in BBC iPlayer, and is in addition to live coverage of up to eight Ulster Senior Football Championship matches.
“The All-Ireland Senior Football and Hurling finals are significant sporting events, and we look forward to bringing them to viewers across the UK via the BBC’s digital and linear platforms,” said Neil Brittain, executive editor of BBC Sport NI.
“This new broadcast deal will transform the BBC’s coverage of Gaelic Games and deliver free-to-air coverage of the Ulster Senior Football Championship, the Allianz Leagues and the All-Ireland series via BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website.
“This agreement adds to the long-term contracts that BBC Sport NI already has in place for football, rugby and the North West 200.”
Furthemore, the pair have also agreed that up to 10 matches in the Allianz National Leagues will be streamed each year on the platform, as well as highlights.
Live audio coverage of the Ulster SFC, both All-Ireland finals, Allianz League games and club championship matches involving Ulster counties will be available via BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle.
Meanwhile, Dublin-based broadcaster RTÉ has also expanded its rights for Gaelic games coverage for the next five years, with more live games and a new second highlights programme part of the deal.
Described as ‘comprehensive coverage’ across television, radio, and online services for the next five seasons, the deal guarantees free-to-air coverage to audiences in Ireland across 12 months of the year from 2023 to 2027 inclusive.
“With more live games now available than ever before on RTÉ combined with extensive radio, digital and highlights rights, this agreement with the GAA represents an enormous step forward in coverage for our national games,” added RTÉ Head of Sport, Declan McBennett.
“Public service broadcasters are at the very heart of the coverage, and this is ultimately for the benefit of the audience. We view this as a hugely significant deal and a core part of our ongoing effort to bring live sport directly to our audience.”
Both national broadcasters continue in their aim to offer a significant amount of GAA coverage to free-to-air audiences.
