The Munster final replay will be simulcast live on RTÉ.ie according to the broadcasters website; the match, which will be the second live sporting event shown on the site is part of a growing push towards internet webcasting in Ireland.
TG4 recently launched its online broadcasting website which shows all of the Gaelic station’s homemade programming live; it also has archives of previous programming which can also be viewed online.
In the coming months RTÉ.ie is set to show live Champions League matches on its website as well as its traditional television network however it is unclear of the broadcaster will make the leap into other forms of programming outside of sport at present.
The introduction of live, online TV threatens to muddy the waters on the issue of TV licences. At present any device capable of recieving a colour TV signal requires a licence however due to modern advancements this could include any PC with an internet connection. A spokesperson for An Post, the authority that enforces TV licencing in Ireland however said that currently over 99% of households in the country already have licences and so those watching online are likely to be covered automatically. It is also unlikely that traditional detection technology used to catch licence-dodgers could work for online broadcasts also.
As an aside; the claim that this will be RTÉ’s first online GAA match is slightly untrue; a match was broadcast online on the 18th of June when they accidently forgot to disconnect the feed showing Charles Haughey’s funeral.