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Rté At Critical Turning Point But Tg4 Has Adapted Effectively

Leo Migdal
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rté at critical turning point but tg4 has adapted effectively

Media minister Patrick O'Donovan is bringing a memo to Cabinet about Coimisiún na Meán's completion of its statutory five-year review of funding for RTÉ and TG4. RTÉ remains at a critical turning point, requiring stable funding and successful organisational reform, Cabinet will be told today, Tuesday. Media minister Patrick O'Donovan will bring a memo to Cabinet to inform ministers that media watchdog Coimisiún na Meán has completed its statutory five-year review of funding for RTÉ and TG4 and recommended increases... It is understood that the report says that Ireland’s public service media faces "severe structural challenges: Declining broadcast audiences, ageing viewership, global competition, and rising digital expectations". While TG4 has "adapted effectively with expanded youth and digital services", RTÉ remains at a critical point. RTÉ and TG4 face increased funding demands, with recommendations for €255m in 2026 and €275m in 2027 to meet public service obligations.

Coimisiún na Meán has stirred the pot once again, suggesting that RTÉ and TG4 require a hefty increase in public funding. Following a meticulous five-year review, the regulator has recommended that RTÉ be allocated €255 million in 2026 and €275 million by 2027. While some might scoff at the idea of pouring more taxpayer money into broadcasters, the report argues it’s essential for them to fulfill their public service commitments effectively. The state of Irish broadcasting has become increasingly complex in recent years, particularly for RTÉ, which has faced a barrage of financial scandals. The credibility of the national broadcaster is on shaky ground, and the public purse is being eyed as a potential lifeline. The suggestion from Coimisiún na Meán, however, raises eyebrows about accountability and whether taxpayers should bear this burden.

Is it fair for ordinary citizens to shoulder the increasing costs of a service that should, ideally, operate efficiently on its own? In our view, this funding proposal lands like a lead balloon at a party. We’d like to think that before the cash registers chime with more taxpayer money, RTÉ and TG4 should first show they can straighten up their house and operate efficiently. After all, it’s hard to justify asking the public for more when past financial missteps leave folks questioning how those funds have been managed. It’s akin to asking your housemate for a contribution towards the rent after they’ve been caught hoarding snacks in their room instead of sharing. As the discussion heats up, it’s crucial to remember that investing in quality content isn’t just about handing over cash; it’s about fostering a broadcasting environment that serves the diverse needs of the Irish...

We need RTÉ and TG4 to step up and demonstrate real value for money, ensuring that whatever funds they do receive are put to good use. Perhaps a more stringent oversight or structure for financial accountability should be part of the conversation. Move aims to allow the public to better assess if broadcasters are meeting their remit and providing value for money Media Minister Catherine Martin. Photo: Collins A new system of assessing the performance and value for money being provided by RTÉ and TG4 is set out in new legislation that has been approved by the Government.

It proposes to give a bigger supervisory role to Coimisiún na Meán, the media regulator, which will identify targets for the two broadcasters and hold them to account for their performance. Under the general scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, which has been published by Media Minister Catherine Martin, the current annual review of the performance and public funding of RTÉ and TG4 will be... Data centers in Ireland must source 80% of their annual electricity from new renewable projects, with predictions they’ll use 31%… DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs faces potential suspension by board members, escalating a months-long conflict that could lead to litigation. Michael Calore and Lauren Goode discuss current trends in podcasting and digital media. Goode had a notable conversation with AMD…

NVIDIA plans to boost H200 AI chip production due to high demand from Chinese clients, despite uncertainties from pending government… Unscripted TV is thriving, blending nostalgia with innovation. Shows like The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing unite audiences, drawing big… RTÉ's Future in Focus: A Delicate Balance Between Audience and Revenue The Irish media landscape is facing a critical juncture, and RTÉ's future hangs in the balance. With a significant portion of the population turning away from traditional television, the national broadcaster is under immense pressure to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing media environment.

But here's where it gets controversial: RTÉ's challenges are not just about audience decline. The report by Coimisiún na Meán reveals a complex web of financial constraints, organizational hurdles, and external distractions that have hindered its ability to execute a much-needed transformation. Let's dive into the key findings and explore the path forward for RTÉ. Audience Trends: A Shifting Landscape The review paints a clear picture: a quarter of the population is watching less than a minute of broadcast television weekly. This decline is particularly pronounced among children and young adults, while older audiences remain loyal. The result?

A significant shift in viewing demographics, with those aged 55 and over now accounting for almost 60% of total consumption. The news service provided by RTÉ to TG4 is “no longer fit for purpose”, said TG4 director general Alan Esslemont, as he called on the Government to give it €13.6 million in Budget 2025... The Future of Media Commission recommended in its 2021 report that the Irish language broadcaster be permitted by the State to operate a fully independent news service, with this recommendation accepted by the Government... However, Mr Esslemont said progress had stalled and Nuacht TG4, which RTÉ supplies to TG4 under its statutory obligations, had been “navigated into a backwater” and was resourced in a manner that would not... “The lack of investment in newsroom equipment and staff training over at least 20 years is truly shocking,” he said. Mr Esslemont said RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst was the de facto editor-in-chief of TG4′s news service and that this put TG4 in “a really difficult position”.

He said TG4 had in the past offered to supply RTÉ with its Irish language news but the reverse situation and the consequences it would have for RTÉ's editorial independence had been “a stumbling... This is the time of year when the nation’s broadcasters unveil their autumn schedules to the public. First out of the traps this week was TG4, with Virgin TV set to follow soon. RTÉ is adopting a more low-key, low-cost approach following its summer of scandals and tribulations. One of the burdens which RTÉ managers have always had to bear is unfavourable comparison with their near neighbours at the BBC. Such comparisons are unfair; British public service broadcasting operates at a budgetary scale to which its Irish equivalent can never aspire.

Regardless of budgets, though, a long-standing conservatism and risk aversion in RTÉ compares badly with UK broadcasters and has often made Montrose a cold house for writers, performers and filmmakers. One rationale for public service media is that it should be a seedbed for new voices to emerge. RTÉ's record in this regard has been patchy. As it prepares to confront multiple existential challenges, RTÉ might be well advised to look closer to home for an example of how to map a way forward in a world in which the... On a modest budget, TG4 has demonstrated how clarity of purpose can yield startling results from meagre resources. As TG4 director general Alan Esslemont noted this week, the channel brings much-needed diversity and innovation to a “monolithic public service media ecosystem”.

The most visible vindication of that strategy is the international acclaim for the Oscar-nominated An Cailín Ciúin, but behind that success lies a commitment to original Irish-language production, in collaboration with Screen Ireland and... The same is true of documentaries and other independent programming. Like RTÉ, TG4 has suffered from years of political procrastination over modernising the revenue model for public service media. But it has demonstrated greater agility than its larger sister organisation in coping with adversity. If RTÉ is to come through its current travails, it will need to show some of the same nimbleness and creativity.

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