Streaming service set for short-term return

THE WATCHLOI streaming service is set to return until the summer after RTÉ agreed to cover games until the mid-season break.

But the forum for screening matches for the remainder of the season is likely to be determined by other factors, most notably the success of an artificial intelligence (AI) system that will be used to broadcast matches in the First Division and selected fixtures in the Women’s National League.

WATCHLOI’s fate was hanging in the balance after a disappointing take-up for the maiden venture in 2020. Earlier this month, the Irish Independent revealed that just 11,000 subscribers had paid for the service which showed 85 Premier Division and FAI Cup games when football was put behind closed doors.

There were a further 6,000 subscribers that secured free access as they were season ticket holders with clubs who worked out a deal with the FAI.

With production costs north of €300k, RTÉ told the FAI that covering every fixture in a full 36-game season was a no-go. They had offered to stream around 50 matches in a restricted service.

That offer has now been upped as part of an arrangement to cover all games (minus those not shown on TV) in the 14 rounds up until the mid-season break.

However, with the RTÉ focus and resources set to be centred around the Euros and the Olympic Games in Tokyo from June onwards, it’s thought unlikely that they would proceed with WATCHLOI from then.

Elsewhere, St Patrick’s Athletic have signed ex-Dundalk defender Paddy Barrett after he cut short his stay in Cambodia. West Ham U-23 player Alfie Lewis has arrived on loan.