TV3 announced on Wednesday that it has secured Six Nations broadcast rights from 2018 to 2021.
Former RTÉ rugby pundit George Hook, whose time with the national broadcaster came to a close at the conclusion of the 2015 Six Nations, gave his take via Twitter.
TV3 came in for plenty of criticism throughout the World Cup regarding the quantity and frequency of ads throughout their coverage. Hook had a little dig at this, suggesting that we can't be far off product placement on the panel.
He also dismissed any suggestions that broadcast quality was a factor in the decision saying that simply, it's all about money.
The Rugby TV deal has nothing to do with broadcasting quality. This is about money pure and simple. More ads needed to pay the bid price
— George Hook (@ghook) November 11, 2015
Anybody who thinks that GAA will not take the money from whatever source is dreaming. #SixNations
— George Hook (@ghook) November 11, 2015
Even the much-vaunted BBC could not hold the #SixNations. They had to share with ITV - it is the new reality. Money talks.
— George Hook (@ghook) November 11, 2015
I am really sad for my former colleagues in RTE Sport who strove might and main to deliver #SixNations coverage of high quality
— George Hook (@ghook) November 11, 2015
#SixNations we are a small step away from product placement on the panel. Woody in a toupee, Matt with Grecian 2000, Jennings -Coke (drink)
— George Hook (@ghook) November 11, 2015
Hook also appeared on the Ray D'Arcy show to discuss TV3's rights victory. He labelled it a sad day for his former colleagues at RTÉ.
If RTE could have put up more money they would have got it. Sporting bodies are only interested in money. The highest bidder wins. The highest bidder in this case won.
The sporting body isn't a charity or a religious institution.
What you are going to see in sport in the future is more and more and advertising. There's no point in complaining.
It's really sad. I'm really upset for my former colleagues in the sports department. RTE is a station with a long tradition of broadcasting sport and it must be a very sad place today and I feel for them.
