RTE SEEK LICENCE FEE INCREASE

RTE have made a submission to the Irish Government seeking a £50 increase in the licence fee to cover additional costs of digital investment and the introduction of new channels.
Ireland's state broadcaster say that as a public service broadcaster, they are now under increasing threat from massive commercial companies making major investment in new technologies, new channels and new programming. They go on to state there is also significant pressure on resources within RTE arising from competition for rights to international events, especially sport.
RTE promise the extra money will be spent on programme-making and the public service commitment will be enhanced with quality entertainment, Irish-made programmes, and investment in the arts. RTE have also pledged to introduce a 24-hour news channel and an education and learning channel, and spend £3 million extra each year on Irish-produced films and on enhanced regional and local coverage in news and current affairs including correspondents and studios.
Further plans include the provision of expanded parliamentary coverage and the introduction of at least four prime-time drama series a year, with an original children’s drama for Network 2.
A spokesperson for RTE said: “We believe that public service broadcasting in Ireland is standing at a crossroads. We operate in a highly competitive environment, and in the modern world that’s the way it must be. But we also seek to ensure that the values of public service broadcasting are protected. As we see it, those values must include a commitment to the right mix of entertainment and information.”
The licence fee in Ireland has been effectively frozen for 14 years, which has cost RTE £126 million since 1986.
The increase of £50 will put the licence fee up to £120, which RTE claim is less than the EU average.
The licence increase also aims to to reduce the RTE’s dependency on advertising revenue, which forms 63 per cent of income versus 50 per cent ten years ago.
RTE’s annual budget is £200 million, the equivalent of the amount ITV spends on regional programmes alone.
(CMcL)