LAST UPDATE | 22 Apr

INDEPENDENT RADIO STATIONS have called for Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan to take urgent action regarding a proposal to raise the broadcast levy to an “unsustainable” level. 

The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) said that the hike in the levy will mean an average increase of 39% for its members year-on-year. This rise comes after increases in levies introduced last year. 

“Every radio station in the country has just been notified by Coimisiún na Meán of a huge increase in the Levy to be charged on the radio broadcasting sector for 2026,” the IBI said in a statement today. 

IBI said this year’s proposed increase represents a hike of tens of thousands of euro for many stations, which it said had come “without any notice or warning”. It said the rise would be “simply unaffordable” for some stations. 

The IBI said the increase is not sustainable and that “the spiralling cost of regulating radio raises many serious issues”.

The proposed levy increase comes at a time when radio stations, particularly local ones, are facing significant challenges in the advertising market.

“Our market has changed dramatically over the last fifteen years; we now compete against global platforms for audience attention, and crucially, advertising revenue,” the organisation said. 

IBI chief executive Michael Kelly pointed to the differences in levies charged to other media outlets.

“The 2026 Levy charge for Radio is 2.8% of turnover. This is far higher than TV at 1.21%, Online Services at 1.25%, or Hosting Services at 0.54%. We believe this hike in the Levy for radio is unsustainable,” he said. 

“The radio advertising market only grew by 0.9% last year in Ireland and margins remain tight.

“It is deeply concerning that these radio Levy increases do not appear to recognise the financial realities in our market, and the problems that such a hike in regulatory fees would cause for our members. The increase comes at a time when businesses have major worries about levels of inflation.”

Labour TD Alan Kelly, chair of the Oireachtas media committee, said the change in levy demands O’Donovan’s attention. 

“He needs to step up now and protect the future of Ireland’s independent radio stations,” Kelly said. 

He said a 39% increase is “a step too far for too many” and that “we need joined up and common sense thinking from Coimisiún na Meán”. 

“As a Committee we will look to work with the independent radio sector to chart a sustainable way forward that protects and supports our democracy.”

In a statement, Coimisuún na Meán said it is an independent regulation “which is levy-funded to cover the costs of our regulatory functions”.

“We are empowered to impose levies on media service providers, including sound broadcasting services, by the Broadcasting Act 2009 as amended.”

It said levy estimates are based on “a detailed work programme”, which are submitted in line with legislation alongside estimates of income and expenditure to the Media Minister each October for the following year. 

“The legislation provides for refunds to levy payers, via a reconciliation process, if actual expenditure (as audited by the C&AG) is less than estimated expenditure.”