Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has opened an investigation onto the GAAGO streaming service.
The joint venture between public broadcaster RTÉ and the Gaelic sports body charges viewers an annual €79. Some GAA games are shown by RTÉ and the Irish language channel TG4. However, there is concern that some high profile hurling and football matches are only available on the streaming service and viewers are effectively being charged a supplement on the licence fee.
The CCPC confirmed to RTÉ’s This Week programme that it first opened an enquiry into GAAGO in May. Previously, the channel was only avail able outside of Ireland, an arrangement that had been given the green light by the CCPC.
However, earlier this year GAAGO was extended to Ireland itself after acquiring rights to matches previously held by Sky Sports.
“Earlier this summer the CCPC opened an enquiry into GAAGO when it became apparent that the activities of the joint venture may have been extended beyond those notified to and cleared by the CCPC in 2017,” a spokesman for the CCPC told the Irish Examiner.
However, RTÉ remains confident that no further approval is needed.
