The GAA have completed their takeover of GAAGO, with the streaming platform being rebranded as GAA+.
The association had previously held a 50% stake of the streaming platform alongside RTÉ, its original partner in the venture which was initially launched back in 2014.
However, it was reported in December that the GAA were considering purchasing RTÉ's share of the platform, with GAA President Jarlath Burns confirming the news at GAA Congress in Donegal this afternoon.
The platform will be rebranded as GAA+, which will also offer its own midweek programme.
It brings an end to the GAAGO brand, which was embarked upon as a joint-venture with RTÉ, originally with the remit of screening games for the benefit of the Irish diaspora and the international audience.
However, it attracted a new prominence from 2023 onwards, having picked up the slate of championship games previously broadcast on Sky Sports, with pushback at some major championship games being shown behind a subscription service while there has also been dismay at access in areas where broadband services are unreliable.
In October last year, it was revealed that subscription revenues at the joint venture surged last year by €2.6m - some 118% - to €4.96m. Pre-tax profits increased by 47% from €595,750 to €874,047.
Commenting on today's announcement, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said: "RTÉ can confirm that it has reached an agreement in principle with the GAA to sell its interest in GAAGO and to reinvest the revenue raised in the provision of the many public services RTÉ provides. Any final agreement will be subject to the necessary consents and approvals being in place.
"GAAGO was established by RTÉ and the GAA in 2014 as an innovative service to enable Gaelic games supporters around the world to access our national games. I would to like to thank all of those who contributed their expertise in the vital establishment phase of GAAGO and acknowledge the successful collaboration with the GAA as the service developed, particularly during the Covid period when people could not physically attend.
"I would like to wish the GAA continued success with the service.
"RTÉ looks forward to continuing our successful collaboration with the GAA on delivering free-to-air Gaelic games to audiences all year round."
