Ryder Cup in Sky's hands after failing 'free TV' test

The Government has decided not to add the Ryder Cup to the list of important sports events that must be transmitted free on television…

The Government has decided not to add the Ryder Cup to the list of important sports events that must be transmitted free on television.

The decision means the event will be shown live on Sky Sports when it takes place at the K Club in Co Kildare in September.

The Sky channels have an estimated 393,000 direct subscribers in Ireland and are also available to many more people through cable networks.

The Ryder Cup, in which 12-man teams of professional golfers representing Europe and the United States play each other every two years, has grown into one of the biggest sports events in the world over the past 20 years.

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The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, announced last night that the Ryder Cup would not be added to the "free-to-air" list that includes events like the All-Ireland finals as well as rugby and soccer internationals.

He said he had to take account of past practice with regard to television coverage of the event, whether the event involved participation by an Irish team, the extent to which it had a special resonance for the people of Ireland and whether it had a generally recognised distinct cultural importance for the Irish people.

"In considering the proposal to designate the Ryder Cup it was clear to the Government that it met some of the criteria but not all. The Government was also mindful of the fact that it was decided not to designate it as 'free to air' at the time of the first designation of events in 2003.

"This would have created a reasonable expectation that it would remain outside of the remit of 'free to air' for 2006," said Mr Dempsey.

Fine Gael spokesman on sport, Jimmy Deenihan, accused the Minister of failing the Irish people by leaving the event with Sky Sports, which was only available to one in five households in the country. Labour spokesman on sport, Jack Wall, accused Mr Dempsey of capitulating to Sky Television.

Sky Sports is becoming an increasingly important player in Irish sports coverage. From next season, it will have the rights to live coverage of Heineken Cup rugby matches.

It costs from €50.50 per month to subscribe directly with Sky to all of its sports channels. This automatically includes two "entertainment mixes", offered under various headings. The company is currently offering half price subscription for the first three months.

Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins is a columnist with and former political editor of The Irish Times