Virgin Media and the League of Ireland announced last Monday that the broadcaster has signed a four-year deal to show 36 soccer matches in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. This is the first time in the history of the league that there will be a match shown on free-to-air television for every round of the season.
Virgin Media television previously showed highlights of the Premier Division on their “Eircom League Weekly” program from 2002-2007, and more recently in the past two years returned to regular League of Ireland coverage with seven matches live in 2023 and doubled that output last year.
The increase to 36 matches will be a record number for the league, with 30 shown last year between Virgin Media and RTÉ. The state broadcaster, who had been showing live games for over two decades, missed out on a bid to continue this season, with the new contract meaning exclusivity for Virgin Media.
League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon said, “Consistency of coverage in order to follow the stories throughout the season is something that we have always wanted in the League of Ireland and we are delighted that this partnership will ensure that the League has a presence on free to air television all year round.”
The League of Ireland season begins on Friday February 14th, where Damien Duff’s Shelbourne will look to defend their Premier Division crown after having claimed the title for the first time in 18 years back in November. The Reds will face Derry City in Tolka Park on Virgin Media Two.
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