Cork GAA changes tack on match live-streaming strategy

Cork GAA will look to pocket around €100,000 per year for the next three years as a result of the decision by the county board executive to end in-house control of their match streaming service.

Two years after Cork GAA launched its Rebels Online streaming, in partnership with production company TVM, Cork bosses have decided to cease in-house control by putting out to tender the streaming rights for club championship matches in the county.

Whereas Rebels Online was a revenue-sharing model after costs, Cork GAA, going forward, will not bear any streaming costs, nor will they receive a slice of any profit recorded. The board will instead receive an agreed fee from the preferred production company in exchange for full control of streaming coverage.

It is understood a three-year streaming deal is being finalised and that Cork GAA will collect around €100,000 per year as a result. The executive were examining three tenders for the contract this week.

The decision to end in-house control comes on foot of advice to cash-strapped Cork GAA to put their streaming rights back on the market after the in-house Rebels Online venture fell short of anticipated gains in its two years of existence.

Fees for the pay-per-view service ranged from €9.99-€14.99 a game up to €79.99 for a season pass.

Income derived from the Rebels Online streaming platform was not specified in either the 2023 or 2024 Cork GAA accounts.

Last October, the county board opted not to stream the Sars-Imokilly Cork Premier SHC final and instead acceded to TG4’s request to broadcast the county hurling decider, netting the board €15,000 in the process.

When Rebels Online was first unveiled in July 2023, then Cork chairman Marc Sheehan said “the launch of our own streaming service is a natural progression for Cork GAA, given the quality of hurling and football on display during the club championship.”

CEO Kevin O’Donovan, said the service will become a “must-see destination for all Cork GAA fans who wish to either peek behind the scenes or delve deeper into the history of our games”.

In his 2023 annual report, O’Donovan remarked that “with the model now proven and a clear market established, the focus for 2024 would be on expanding the number of members and increasing profitability”.

Prior to taking their streaming in-house, Cork GAA had partnered with the Irish Examiner for a three-year period from 2020-22. The Cork accounts for the years in question show that the county board received €70,000 in commercial income from the Irish Examiner in 2020. In 2021, ‘media rights’ income was listed at €62,659, with that figure rising to €85,000 in 2022.

The streaming move comes as the county has introduced levies for clubs to help service its €31m-plus SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh debt and raise funds for a centre of excellence.

At a county board meeting held in camera last Tuesday week, the Cork executive unveiled a strategic financial plan to raise between €400,000 and €500,000 per year. A portion of it will be generated by charging clubs up to €2,200 per annum depending on their number of affiliations.

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