Waterford TV company, Nemeton TV has secured a key 3 year contract in Scotland to deliver almost 200 hours of TV sport per year on the BBC ALBA channel. The contract begins on Saturday 1 July 2017.
The coverage will include Guinness PRO12 rugby, the Scottish Premiership (SPFL) and shinty.
The announcement marks a huge step forward for Nemeton which has seen steady growth in recent years.
CEO and owner, Irial Mac Murchú says: “Today’s [Monday April 3] announcement is a moment of immense pride for us. We are delighted to have won this contract. The tender process was extremely competitive and to have come out on top in an arena that involved some of Britain’s biggest and most respected production companies is particularly pleasing and is indicative of our ambition for BBC Alba. It is a game-changer to be taking on such a significant contract in another country and is a tribute to our hard-working team in Waterford as well as the existing production team at mneTV in Glasgow who will join Nemeton to deliver this exciting contract.
“It is a confluence of everything we love to do: sport, technology, creativity and the broadcasts will be in Gàidhlig. Whilst it is an international contract, it feels like an extension of home to be working with our Celtic partners. We look forward to working with MG ALBA and BBC ALBA and developing the opportunities that lie ahead. Our goal is to build on our existing work for TG4, bringing innovative live sport to fans everywhere.”
Donald Campbell, MG ALBA’s Chief Executive said: “These decisions lay the foundations for the future success of BBC ALBA. Our very close relationship with the channel’s creative community is hugely valuable to us, and to BBC ALBA audiences. The decision to work with Nemeton Scotland Ltd offers the potential of creating an exciting new international partnership.
“All of BBC ALBA’s content must be highly distinctive, and this new relationship for sports content creates many opportunities, for programming and for more collaboration with Ireland.”
Nemeton produces TG4’s very successful live GAA and Guinness PRO12 coverage as well as web TV content for a variety of corporate clients including New York-based Adorama TV, AIB’s #THETOUGHEST campaign, the GAA and the PRO12.
The company also provides people and satellite facilities for a range of broadcasters at home and abroad including RTÉ, Sky Sports and the BBC.