Euro 2016 "will be available on both RTE and TV3 after the national broadcaster reached an agreement to sub-let 22 of the 51 games," according to the IRISH INDEPENDENT. The agreements mean that RTE will screen 30 games -- including all three of Ireland's group matches -- "while TV3 will have exclusive rights to 21 games, with both stations sharing the rights for the final."
RTÉ "will retain first choice on matches in the knock-out stages" and will broadcast a highlights program on each night of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Irish FA (FAI) "confirmed the breakdown of prize-money for the new Airtricity League season, with the increased funds benefiting teams in the bottom half of the table."
A tie-up with Austrian company Trackchamp which will see games streamed around the world for the purpose of gambling "is responsible for the rise of the total pot" from €315,500 ($347,000) to €475,500 ($523,000) (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 3/4).
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: In London, Nadia Khomami wrote football fans across the U.K. "went into momentary meltdown on Saturday after the signal of BT Sport’s broadcast failed in the crucial final moments of the highly anticipated north London derby." The signal of the live broadcast from Saturday’s Arsenal vs. Tottenham match "was lost with only three minutes of stoppage time remaining, when the game was poised at 2-2." A message on the screen simply read, "We apologize for the interruption. We will be back on air as soon as possible."
When the coverage returned "it lacked any sound, and the game ended without a scoreline showing" (GUARDIAN, 3/5).
