RTE and GAA to face crucial inquiries during the upcoming committee meeting
GAAGO Controversy: Oireachtas Committee to Question RTE and GAA Representatives
The Oireachtas Committee on Sport and Media has scheduled a meeting to question representatives from RTE and the GAA, focusing on the ongoing controversy surrounding GAAGO's coverage of key GAA matches. The controversy, which sparked public backlash including from former players like Donal Og Cusack, revolves around issues with live streaming reliability, commentary, and overall user experience on GAAGO/GAA+.
The committee will delve into several key areas. They will seek answers regarding the technical problems and perceived poor quality of GAAGO coverage during major matches, and how the partnership between RTE and the GAA manages match broadcasting rights and service delivery. The committee will also question the steps being taken to resolve ongoing issues and improve the fan experience, as well as the transparency around GAAGO's commercial model and its impact on accessibility for supporters.
Broader strategic questions about the future of GAA match broadcasting will also be addressed, given the public dissatisfaction with GAAGO's service. Committee members will want to know if high-profile matches were deliberately placed behind a paywall to drive subscriptions to GAAGO, and whether the GAA invited any other broadcasters to bid for the rights or gave preferential treatment to GAAGO and RTE at the expense of offering other broadcasters the opportunity to show the matches free-to-air.
The quality of GAAGO's technology, particularly in rural areas with weak broadband, will also be a topic of discussion. The question of whether RTE's involvement in GAAGO is in conflict with its remit as a public service broadcaster will also be raised, as GAAGO is jointly owned by the GAA and RTE.
The committee will also seek information about the current number of subscribers to GAAGO in Ireland, the projected profit for GAAGO for the current year, and the GAAGO controversy's emergence in late spring, which involved disgruntled hurling and football fans who were angry about some favorite matches being put behind a paywall on the GAAGO online platform.
Representatives from RTE and the GAA will appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Sport and Media today, with the main topic of interest being the GAAGO controversy. The meeting aims to shed light on accountability for the problems experienced by consumers, the governance of GAA media rights, and plans to ensure a reliable, high-quality service in future championships.
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