A number of prominent GAA officials seem to be suggesting that we need to reduce the number of televised games in a bid to boost attendances. Obviously, if there's a game on TV it may be easier to stay at home, but in this media age where exposure is everything, is there ANY other sports organisation in the World arguing for LESS coverage? Just imagine if the GAA cuts the numebr of live televised games:what will RTE do? More soccer and rugby to fill the gaps, I'd say. That's sure to raise the profile of Gaelic games!! What do ye think?

football first (None) - Posts: 1259 - 30/07/2010 12:35:12    729357

Well its kinda lose lose because the way it is now people dont go to games = less money and athmosphere. What I was wondering is how much the gaa gets payed for each televised game. surely that cancels out with any loses. I know from a support who this year only have 2 days out in the championship I think is great that i can watch 2/3 games on the tv.

dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 30/07/2010 12:43:12    729374

In the Premiership the 3pm Saturday afternoon games are never shown live to keep attendance up.

InisCaoin (Monaghan) - Posts: 89 - 30/07/2010 12:46:05    729384

I think they should stick with the current television format, give it some time. I think I've seen more interest this year from people who previously had little interest in the GAA and I would put that down to the number of games on television. I've sat and watched three live games in a row on a sunday with people who couldnt care less about football last year.

I think a few more years of this kind of exposure can only be good for the game, make household names of the players, if people keep seeing it on telly eventually it they will want to go to it.

miteymeath (Meath) - Posts: 98 - 30/07/2010 12:49:03    729392

even though 35 euro is pretty good for 3 games of football i still think the gaa could do with lowering the prices for the majority of the games, maybe that might get the stand full instead of trying to get less coverage of the matches, simple as

ciaran08 (Down) - Posts: 171 - 30/07/2010 12:55:52    729408

A number of prominent GAA officials seem to be suggesting that we need to reduce the number of televised games in a bid to boost attendances.

Then a number of prominent GAA officials don't understand economics or business. If they were to sell fewer matches to the TV stations, they'd get less money from TV revenue. They would have to hope (on a wish and a prayer) that attendance would rise by enough to compensate.

I don't think I'm alone among GAA fans in saying that I'd always prefer to go to a match than watch it on TV. The only reasons why I would watch a match on TV is if I don't care enough about it (eg Cork v Limerick last weekend, why would I go to it?) or if I don't have the money/time to go to the match. Whether it's on TV or not doesn't change that decision for me.

One thing the GAA should do to improve attendances is abolish this 'neutral venue' lark as much as possible. The last round of the qualifiers should be at the losing provincial finalists' home, and the Leinster matches not involving Dublin should be held outside Croke Park unless there's enough demand.

The_Real_IA (Meath) - Posts: 133 - 30/07/2010 14:00:43    729558

In American Football NFL, a match cant be on TV unless its sold out. They pull matches off of TV if they arent sold out within a week of the match

wingwonder (UK) - Posts: 535 - 30/07/2010 14:05:53    729566

Typical response from the GAA

If they dont see an immediate response in attendances.....they cut coverage.

This year was great because there were so much GAA on the box. IT defo brought more interest into the Gaa. Ok, maybe attendances were down this year, but if more people show an interest, then in 1/2/3 years they will start going to games.

Shows the GAA have no business brain really. There needs to be a long period to see if a new introduction(of anything) will have an positive affect on the GAA.

Patsman09 (Meath) - Posts: 35 - 30/07/2010 14:12:55    729578

miteymeath, i agree with you, a lot of nuetrals are getting into the championship because of the coverage and people feel they actually have a good idea of how good a team is, take away the TV coverage and it is just making it more difficult for nuetrals to have any interest, they are blaming the fall in attendance on TV coverage when really they have done very little to advertise games, in a couple of months the international rules will be on in Limerick, this game will be full even though it is on TV because the GAA will have a big marketing campaign making it seem like a not to be missed event.

Louth Gael (Louth) - Posts: 1227 - 30/07/2010 14:13:34    729580

if that was the case the all ireland final would be the only game on tv all year

ciaran08 (Down) - Posts: 171 - 30/07/2010 14:18:26    729592

wingwonder
County: UK
Posts: 524

729566 In American Football NFL, a match cant be on TV unless its sold out. They pull matches off of TV if they arent sold out within a week of the match

I see your point wing wonder. However, in America the games are only "blacked out" in the locality of the home team, not nationally. That is possible as TV networks are syndicated in the States. This is where the problem comes in, as everyone receives the same version of RTÉ/TV3/TG4. Perhaps with the changeover to digital something can be done, but I feel it would not be welcomed in Ireland at all

Sketch (Kildare) - Posts: 10 - 30/07/2010 14:25:51    729606

its simple cut ticket prices = increasing attendances

pidge (Cork) - Posts: 543 - 30/07/2010 16:55:02    729861

Sketch, if that was possible it might be something to look into, it is not fair that the whole country doesn't get to see a game because the fans won't support their teams, the added coverage lately has given people a lot more knowledge about how different teams play and who are the decent players outside of the top 10 counties. I really don't think TV coverage can be blamed for the overall fall in attendance, has anybody actually checked the attendances of televised games compared to non televised games, for many people i think a game being televised glamourises it and makes it more appealing to go to.

Louth Gael (Louth) - Posts: 1227 - 30/07/2010 20:05:02    730098

Good point Louth gael

kerrykerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1779 - 30/07/2010 21:21:21    730172

Typical attitude of GAA HQ suits!...........lads that will never lose their jobs!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 30/07/2010 21:58:50    730266