Well, we didn’t see this coming.
TV3 have won the rights to show live coverage of the RBS 6 Nations from 2018 and the knives were out for both the commercial network and RTÉ straight away.
While host-in-waiting Matt Cooper immediately made his delight known on Twitter, others questioned how much live sport RTÉ would be broadcasting into the next decade following criticism of their GAA coverage and the fact that terrestrial rights to the Olympics has been massively depleted.
If you haven't heard @TV3Ireland will be broadcasting Six Nations Rugby from 2018. To say I'm happy about it is an understatement.
— Matt Cooper (@cooper_m) November 11, 2015
Unsurprisingly, both RTÉ and TV3 got it in the neck for very different reasons.
https://twitter.com/hynesalan/status/664453186766417920
https://twitter.com/anthonymcg/status/664452962358419456
Doubt surrounding the Olympics, no Six Nations, no Premier League, GAA critical of coverage – what live sport will RTE show in the 2020's?
— Colin O'Hanlon (@ColinOHanlon) November 11, 2015
It was great news for anyone who likes a lot of ads with their rugby coverage.
Great TV3 win rights to Six Nations from 2018-2022! Going to be horrific! They hardly have play replays #LongAdsNoAnalysis
— Shane Anders (@ShaneAnders_) November 11, 2015
There’s always a bright side in Montrose. More Fair City, anyone?
https://twitter.com/Billbo_j_byrne/status/664452902371647488
In a room in TV3 right now, Matt Cooper is squealing with such delight only puppies in space 40m light years away can hear him #SixNations
— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) November 11, 2015
