We had already found out that RTÉ and TV3 would share the Irish rights to Euro 2016 this summer but, today, the two stations have released the exact details of the sub-licensing agreement which will see TV3 screen 22 of the tournaments 51 games. All the remaining games will be broadcast on RTÉ.
The main news is that RTÉ has held on to the rights for each of Ireland's group games while the national broadcaster will broadcast five of the second round games, two quarter finals, both semi-finals while the final will be broadcast on both stations.
That agreement leaves TV3 with 16 exclusive group games as well as three second round games, two quarter finals and shared coverage of the final.
Here's the full TV schedule For Euro 2016 games as announced today:
TV3 group games -
11 June England v Russia
12 June Turkey v Croatia, Germany v Ukraine
13 June Spain v Czech Republic
14 June Austria v Hungary
15 June Romania v Switzerland, France v Albania
16 June Ukraine v N.Ireland
17 June Spain v Turkey
18 June Iceland v Hungary
19 June Romania v Albania
20 June Slovakia v England
21 June Ukraine v Poland, Croatia v Spain
22 June Hungary v Portugal, Sweden v Belgium
RTÉ group games -
10 June France v Romania
11 June Albania v Switzerland, Wales v Slovakia
12 June Poland v Northern Ireland
13 June Rep. of Ireland v Sweden, Belgium v Italy
14 June Portugal v Iceland
15 June Russia v Slovakia
16 June England v Wales, Germany v Poland
17 June Italy v Sweden, Czech Republic v Croatia
18 June Belgium v Rep. of Ireland, Portugal v Austria
19 June Switzerland v France
20 June Russia v Wales
21 June Northern Ireland v Germany, Czech Republic v Turkey
22 June Iceland v Austria, Italy v Rep. of Ireland
RTÉ have also confirmed that they retain first choice of the matches in the knock-out stages. Ryle Nugent, Head of RTÉ Sport has explained why it was necessary for the national broadcaster to seek out such a deal with TV3.
2016 is a huge year for Irish sport with the 6 Nations, GAA Championships, Olympics, Paralympics, European Athletic Championships and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This year’s European Soccer Championship Finals is the biggest ever, with an additional 20 matches in comparison to 2012.
RTÉ is delighted to partner with TV3, another Irish broadcaster, to ensure that the UEFA Euro 2016 Finals are delivered to Irish audiences free-to-air.
