A prominent Unionist group in Northern Ireland has slammed the BBC's involvement in the new GAA broadcasting deal, and has suggested that their choice to continue showing GAA is an example of their "bias" against the Unionist side in Northern Ireland.
October 27th, 2022.
As part of the new GAA TV deal, BBC NI will continue to carry the Ulster SFC, as well as adding coverage of crucial All-Ireland series games, and a simulcast of both All-Ireland finals across the wider BBC network. Their increased broadcast of the sport comes indirectly as a result of Sky Sports' departure from their deal with the GAA earlier this week.
TUV leader Jim Alistair
The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) has spoken out about the BBC's new commitment to the GAA, and have pointed out their unwillingness to display the Orange Order marches earlier this year in contrast.
Earlier this year, the BBC announced that they would take no part in broadcasting the July 12 marches in Northern Ireland, citing audience reasons, in a move that did not go down well with many of Northern Ireland's Unionist population.
With the Beeb now committing to the GAA's five-year broadcasting plan, some Unionists have spoken up again.
In a statement, the TUV's Norman Boyd slammed the BBC's decision to commit to an expanded GAA package, given their decision not to broadcast this year's July 12. Boyd claimed that these decisions confirmed the BBC's "anti-unionist bias" and said that the broadcaster was "incapable" of reflecting Unionist experiences in Northern Ireland:
The BBC's expanded 2023 coverage of GAA is likely to get underway in mid-April next year, when the Ulster senior football championship gets underway.
With many thanks to: Balls and Eoin Harrington for the original publication.
Follow these links to find out more on this story: Twelfth: Orange Order welcomes live GB News live coverage
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