The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has faced criticism for its decision to prioritise broadcasting both the All-Ireland football and hurling championships instead of the Irish League Show in Northern Ireland.
This year marked a significant milestone as the BBC televised the GAA final to a UK-wide audience for the first time ever. The viewership reached its peak at 800,000 as Dublin emerged victorious over defending champions Kerry in an intense match. Additionally, the semi-final games between Kerry and Derry, as well as Dublin and Monaghan, were also broadcast.
However, the UK broadcasting company has come under fire from Allister Kyle, the TUV vice-chairman and Causeway Councillor, for opting to showcase these games over the 'Irish League' highlights show in Northern Ireland.
Kyle expressed his disappointment with the BBC's decision and explained how the program had undergone changes in its format over the years. So many changes that the highlights show has now been axed completely.
“I am deeply disappointed that the Irish League show has been cut by the BBC," he added in a statement. "As an avid Irish League fan, I always enjoyed watching our local presenters comment on the highlights of the local game throughout the province. Year on year, this coverage has been reduced from a Final Score program showing the goals at 5.30 pm on the Saturday night and an in-depth analysis on Monday evening to a late-night program held on BBC2. We now find that the BBC has axed the program completely."
Disappointed in the BBC Irish League decision https://t.co/oQydt5gbBE
— TUV (@TUVonline) August 7, 2023
Kyle also went on to say that engagement with the Irish League has been on the rise, with increasing interest and attendance. According to the councillor, this growth would logically suggest that a publicly funded broadcaster like the BBC would enhance its coverage of Northern Irish football.
“Engagement with the Irish League has been growing year on year, with spectators and interest rising through the hard work of the clubs themselves and new initiatives organized by NIFL, the League’s governing body. Which would make one think that the BBC, as a publicly funded broadcaster, would be increasing their coverage of the brand that is Northern Irish football.
“The interest in the Irish League extends outside of Northern Ireland. Many fans live elsewhere within the UK for various reasons such as work or studying, etc. The Irish League show was their main connection with their team back home. The Irish league show, along with some games shown on Sky, had extended the promotion of the great products that we have here in Northern Ireland.
He continued: "What makes the BBC decision to cut this broadcast all the more bizarre is that they just recently managed to find the funds to run live broadcasts at the two All-Ireland semi-finals, which only showed one county out of the four (Derry) that can actually pay the license fee."
"It certainly seems that there has been an ongoing agenda by the BBC to divert funding from as many different areas as possible towards the GAA.”
