Virgin Media and the League of Ireland have announced an agreement to broadcast 14 live matches throughout the 2024 SSE Airtricity Premier Division season.
The number is double the amount of matches the broadcaster aired throughout 2023, a season which culminated in the live screening of Waterford's dramatic promotion/relegation play-off victory over Cork City in November.
Virgin Media's first live offering for 2024 will be a clash of last season's top two, as Shamrock Rovers host Derry City live on Virgin Media Two on Monday March 4th.
The Virgin Media cameras will be at Eamonn Deacy Park on Easter Monday, April 1st as newly-promoted Galway United entertain Bohemians, before they roll into Tolka Park for the meeting between Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers on Monday April 22nd.
The decision to air live matches on Monday nights, as well as trialling others on Thursdays over the course of the season, is a shift from the Friday night scheduling traditionally offered by the League of Ireland.
All of the aforementioned fixtures will kick off at 7.45pm, with an agreement in place for Virgin Media to screen further fixtures on Monday May 6th, Monday May 20th, Thursday May 23rd and Monday June 3rd with future dates to be announced later in the season. Virgin Media will also screen the promotion/relegation play-off once again.
📰 | Virgin Media Television doubles live broadcast of SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division games to 14 for 2024.
A massive year ahead in the LOI 👏https://t.co/a27lNqaNAT#LOI24 | @VMSportIE pic.twitter.com/hmVTSyUJfz— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) January 17, 2024
League of Ireland and Virgin Media extend partnership
"We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Virgin Media Television into a second year, with 14 live games set to be shown on free-to-air TV it represents a significant increase in coverage of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division," said League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon.
"We are delighted with the continued growth of the League of Ireland fanbase and working with Virgin Media and SSE Airtricity has enabled us to spread the reach to a wider audience.
"Virgin Media have selected three incredibly exciting fixtures at the beginning of the season as we see the title holders Shamrock Rovers, some of their title challengers and the resurgent Galway United fresh from their promotion from the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division all live on Virgin Media Television.
"We’re set for a brilliant 2024 and we look forward to Virgin Media following the action as the season progresses.”
Big things happening with @LeagueofIreland in Ballymount this morning 👀#LOI | @VMSportIE pic.twitter.com/GKMMlMiZ3Z
— Virgin Media Television (@VirginMedia_TV) January 17, 2024
Live fixtures scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays
The scheduling of televised fixtures indicates a shift from the traditional Friday night League of Ireland scheduling, something which has been welcomed by Mick McCaffrey, Head of News and Sport at Virgin Media Television.
"We are delighted to build on the positive momentum of our coverage last season by committing to broadcasting 14 SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division games," added Mick McCaffrey, Head of News and Sport at Virgin Media Television
"Scheduling matches on Monday nights mean League of Ireland fans have the opportunity to watch a live game that would previously have been broadcast while many were attending matches in person.
"This gives ourselves and the FAI the opportunity to build audiences and enhance the profile of the league. We are looking forward to being at as many grounds as possible across the country and expect season 2024/25 to be extremely exciting and competitive."
The League of Ireland season kicks off on Friday February 9th, when champions Shamrock Rovers host FAI Cup holders St. Patrick's Athletic in the President's Cup.
