Premier Sports are in talks with the FAI about screening live League of Ireland games this season.
While RTE are already on board with TV matches and the WATCHLOI streaming platform until the summer, Eir Sport are pulling the plug on Irish sport.
Eir’s coverage of the SSE Airtricity League was always well received by supporters but their shock departure has left a big void in the live TV market.
And Mirror Sport understands that Premier Sports have been in negotiations with FAI chiefs about dipping their toe in the domestic game.
Premier Sports already cover the English Premier League, Scottish football, LaLiga, Serie A and other sports such as rugby and NHL ice-hockey.
The introduction of live streaming has altered the broadcasting landscape for the League of Ireland.
With fans unable to attend games because of the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts were made last summer to bring live action into living rooms all around the country.
And while the FAI was disappointed with the number of subscribers to WATCHLOI last season, the venture has returned for 2021 with some tweaks.
While it was a Premier Division venture only in the second-half of last season, both mens’ tiers and the Women’s National League will be streamed for a price this season.
RTE - who also show an unspecified number of live TV games - has committed its cameras to the service again but that arrangement will be reviewed in June.
The state broadcaster feels it is unfeasible to commit financially to a full League of Ireland season, not least with Euro 2020 and the Olympics to come.
In the meantime, artificial intelligence cameras will be used to stream First Division and WNL matches..
Premier Division grounds have also been fitted with that Pixellot system and it is set to replace RTE’s footage after June.
But with Eir Sport out of the game, Premier Sports are exploring the possibility of snaffling the live TV games that Eir would ordinarily have committed to.
