Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

FACTCHECK

The Explainer: What's the story with RTÉ's finances at the moment?

We take a look at the issues it has been having with its finances, and what it is planning to do about this.

ON 6 NOVEMBER, news broke that RTÉ was due to make a series of big moves in order to deal with its financial situation.

As part of a major restructuring plan, it will cut the pay of its top presenters by 15%, cut 200 jobs (through voluntary redundancies), move Lyric FM from Limerick to Cork and Dublin,  reduce RTÉ executives’ pay by 10% among other staff-related savings.

The news was not completely unexpected – last year RTÉ’s Director General Dee Forbes said that the broadcaster was facing “urgent and substantial financial challenges”. in the weeks before the announcement, speculation had also mounted that Lyric FM’s future was in jeopardy.

In this week’s Explainer podcast, we take a look at what the situation with RTÉ is right now: what the financial issues are, what it’s planning to do about it, and what the future looks like for the broadcaster. Is the key to fixing the crisis in a broadcasting charge, or is this deflecting conversation from other cuts that need to take place?

Joining presenter Sinéad O’Carroll in studio are reporter Stevie McDermott and Steve Dempsey, the Sunday Independent’s media and marketing columnist.

This episode was put together by presenter Sinéad O’Carroll, producer Aoife Barry, assistant producer and technical operator Nicky Ryan, and executive producer Christine Bohan. Reporter was Stevie McDermott, guest was Steve Dempsey. Design by Palash Somani.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
34
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel