RTÉ Sport has just announced details of its 2014 FIFA World Cup coverage across television, radio, online and mobile. There will be live coverage of all 64 games across RTÉ television, RTÉ Player and RTÉ.ie, amounting to over 180 hours of live coverage, including 25 highlights shows. There will also be new panellists on board.
The 180 hours plus of television broadcast will include 56 live games from Brazil with 8 end of group games live from and exclusive to RTÉ.ie and RTÉ Player. Altogether, 74 programmes on RTÉ One and RTÉ Two will be broadcast to cover 56 live games and 25 highlights programmes, as well as the opening ceremony on Thursday 12 June. All of RTÉ television’s coverage will be in High Definition.
As a companion to the TV coverage, continuous live blogs and live video highlights of goals and match incidents will be available on RTÉ sports digital platforms. A daily highlights show will be presented by Tony O’Donoghue at 3.30pm at RTÉ Two, and followers can also keep up to date with news and updates from Brazil with live bulletins all day on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ 2fm. The final will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2fm.
Games will remain online on RTÉ Player for the duration of the tournament. Live streaming is available on RTÉ Player desktop, mobile and Samsung connected TV plus on-demand on desktop, mobile, UPC, connected TV and Xbox. For the first time, RTÉ will be providing live in-game statistics during every single game, a live feed featuring multiple categories of match statistics which will run via any mobile device.
At the launch in RTÉ’s Studio 4, details of the team of panellists, presenters and commentators were announced. Joining panellists John Giles, Eamon Dunphy and Liam Brady are Ronnie Whelan, Didi Hamann, Ossie Ardiles, Kenny Cunningham and Richie Sadlier. Ray Houghton will co-commentate from Brazil.
RTÉ Sport is also delighted to announce three new panellists – former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, Spurs goalkeeper and former USA international Brad Freidel, and Real Madrid coach and former Republic of Ireland under 21s coach Paul Clement. RTÉ’s coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup also sees one of Ireland’s most illustrious Sports broadcasters, Bill O’Herlihy, present for the final time.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will see the best of RTÉ’s punditry return to the screens, as well as Après Match. The comedy trio will present the 3rd place play-off on Saturday 12 July.
Acting Group Head of RTÉ Sport, Cliona O’Leary, said: “The whole world comes together to experience the World Cup and we are delighted to bring RTÉ audiences all of the action from Brazil, the very best analysis and a whole lot more, no matter where or how they choose to watch or listen.
“Whether it's High Definition games on RTÉ television - with the best team of commentators and analysts in the business - live streaming on RTÉ’s digital platforms, news and updates across RTÉ radio or the antics of the Après Match team, RTÉ will be there for all of the drama and excitement - and the audience won’t miss a kick of a ball.”
