RTÉ Sport have confirmed that they will not be showing their Premiership programme this year.
RTÉ had made arrangements to show an hour-long highlights programme at 7pm each Saturday, but only on condition that ITV's new Premiership programme would not be shown before 10pm.
Earlier today ITV, who have secured the rights to show Premiership soccer for the first time,announced that they were advancing their original plans and their weekly football transmissions would now begin at 7pm.Consequently, without the anticipated time advantage,RTÉ has decided to cancel its plans for the show and to invest the significant revenues and resources involved into other, more competitive programming.
A decision was made by RTÉ not to renew the contract for the next threeyears. No spokesman was available for comment. RTÉ is launching itsautumn schedule today.