RTÉ have faced some heavy criticism from viewers in Northern Ireland after they opted to geo-block news bulletins which featured footage of the 2024 Olympics.
The decision was taken due to a rights issue in the North, with the BBC being the main broadcaster of the event in the UK. Discovery also hold the rights to show the games across Europe.
Viewers in Northern Ireland who tuned into Wednesday's news bulletin were greeted with a message that read 'this programme cannot be streamed due to rights restrictions'.
In a statement, RTÉ confirmed that a rights issue led to the decision to geo-block the bulletin in some areas.
RTÉ has rights to broadcast the 2024 Olympic Games in the Republic of Ireland only.
The exclusive free-to-air broadcast rights for Northern Ireland for the 2024 Olympic Games are held by the BBC, who were licensed those rights in a UK Olympics rights deal agreed between the BBC and the pan-European rights holder, Discovery, back in 2016.
While RTÉ has sought permission to make our broadcasts of the 2024 Olympic Games available in Northern Ireland, this has not been possible.
The move has now come in for some heavy criticism.
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Sinn Féin MP Slams RTÉ After Olympics See Geo-Blocking Of Bulletins In NI
RTÉ may have attempted to get permission to show the Olympics as part of their news bulletins in Northern Ireland, but some remain unhappy with their actions.
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes claimed that the broadcaster was treating their Northern viewers with 'contempt' with their decision to geo-block this content.
Citizens from every part of the island deserve full access to southern broadcasters.
RTÉ News is viewed by a huge number of people in the north. Political, economic and social developments on this island affect all of us and it is essential that access to news is universal.
With only three days left until the biggest game in the Gaelic football calendar, the people of Armagh, and indeed across the six counties, will now miss out on important news coverage, reports and match build-up.
Also, news and reaction to Ireland’s Olympic team, which boasts many northerners, will be blocked too and lock out many citizens from the north from keeping up to date with their progress.
RTÉ is treating northern citizens with contempt.
While this practice has proven to be a controversial one, it remains to be seen if the issue can be addressed now that the Olympics have gotten underway.
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