GAA should rethink streaming decision
- Cutting off access for 30% of older people is a mistake
Labour sports spokesperson Mark Wall has urged the GAA to rethink its decision to put matches behind paywalls.
Senator Wall said:
“It’s a shame that the GAA has decided to put so many matches behind a paywall again this year. It’s bad for the fans, and ultimately it’s bad for the game.
“The joy of the GAA is that you can flick on the telly at home and catch super professional games from the comfort of your own home. Everyone who loves the GAA, and particularly older people, love following the championship and keeping up to date with who’s in contention.
“As Age Action has said, 3 in 10 older people simply aren’t online. Cutting off 30% of older people is a mistake, and this figure doesn’t include those who may be digitally literate but don’t feel comfortable setting up the stream, or who have poor broadband connections.
“With a monthly subscription charge of €11.99, the cost is also prohibitive for many who love the game.
“Siphoning off the GAA from the wider population is just a mistake. I would urge the GAA to rethink its decision and move games back to free to air on RTÉ or TG4.
“The GAA is such a source of pride and joy for us all. Sport is an important outlet for so many people and central to who we are as a country. The GAA needs to rethink its decision.”