The Department of Media has reported that an approximate total of €22 million has been lost in TV licence sales, as a result of numerous scandalous occurrences surrounding RTÉ since last summer. The statistics show a significant decrease in payment of the €160 fee from about 137,057 households in the period stretching from June 2023 to late February 2024, compared to the same timeline the previous year.
This decline in income figures correlates to a tumultuous time for the national broadcaster which began in June, when undisclosed payments made to Ryan Tubridy, former host of the Late Late Show, came into the public eye. More problems unfolded with revelations of financial losses from the Toy Show the Musical and controversies surrounding corporate hospitality expenditures.
Earlier this week, the Government placed Terence O’Rourke, ex-managing partner of KPMG, in the position of chairman for RTÉ’s board. This follows Siún Ní Raghallaigh’s resignation from the chairmanship, a move that came after she did not receive support from the Media Minister, Catherine Martin, last month during an interview on Prime Time.
Upon her exit, Ní Raghallaigh reproached the Minister for not aiding in regaining the trust of those paying the TV licence to RTÉ. She commented that the ongoing decline in licence fee remittances, which began with last summer’s controversy, needed urgent attention and unfortunately didn’t get the necessary support from the minister who refused to advise licence payers on their decisions.
In response to the latest figures on TV licence sales, RTÉ expressed gratitude to those who had upheld their licence payments, as well as their employees whose diligence helps create engaging and informative programmes for their audiences. They further stated their commitment to tackling pressing issues as part of their continuous effort to transform RTÉ into an institution that can be held in high esteem.
Before fluctuations in revenue over the past eight months, RTÉ had been advocating for an overhaul of the TV licence system due to concerns about evasion. Currently, the government is anticipating two commissioned reports that explore various issues, including governance at RTÉ. The reports, which will influence the future funding decisions for RTÉ, are anticipated at the month’s end.
The coalition aims to make a funding decision before the Dáil takes its summer break. Although the Commission on the Future of Media suggested that public service media be financed directly through the exchequer, this proposal was turned down by the government in 2022.
Despite this, Ms Martin demonstrated support for the exchequer-funding model, endorsing that it be seriously contemplated. However, opposition for this has been aired by the Department of Finance and prominent government representatives.
During a radio interview on RTÉ, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar voiced that the government must decide between an exchequer funding system or a new form of media or household charge. Varadkar postulated that a specific or hypothecated funding could prevent government overly influencing, and firmly stated that the financing for future media should be earned and competitive.
In contrast, Tánaiste Micheál Martin emphasised the assorted viewpoints within the government. He expressed worry that direct exchequer funding could threaten the editorial independence of RTÉ. Martin hinted at the possibility of implementing diverse sources of funding, implying that an independent stream of revenue should be instituted to counteract economic downturns.