Football Association agrees highlights deal

Adjust font size:

The subscription-based Chorus Sports Channel has agreed a non-exclusive highlights deal with the FAI for coverage of eircom League and FAI Cup matches until 2009. Under the terms of the agreement Chorus Sports Channel will broadcast the main highlights of up to 50 domestic matches per season and have access to 30 domestic games for deferred broadcasting.

Commenting on the development Phil Freedman, Chief Executive Officer of Chorus, said: “This deal extends our current soccer coverage and enhances our Channel’s sports portfolio significantly. We are delighted to give our viewers the best action highlights and the opportunity to see some of the top League and Cup games.” John Delaney, Chief Executive Officer of the FAI, said: “We are delighted with this TV deal with Chorus Sports Channel. The extended TV exposure for the eircom League and FAI Cup will give an added boost to the domestic game.”

Chorus Sports Channel is currently available in over 140,000 Irish homes, mainly in the Munster and South Leinster regions of the country, and is broadcast at peak time from 6-11pm, seven days a week. Significantly, there will be no additional cost to subscribers for this additional content. “The Chorus Sports Channel agreement adds significantly to the exposure of the eircom League in a week when all three League clubs (Shelbourne, Cork City and Longford Town) had successful performances in Europe,” said eircom League Chairman Paddy McCaul.