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I hate paying for a TV licence when I can't recieve RTE

  • 07-10-2009 2:22pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 47


    I live in a duplex apartment,.. and cannot put up an RTE arial,.. the rabbit's ears don't work,.. I've got all the freeview channels with the satellite dish,.. but RTE isn't available unless I buy a sky package

    I hate having to pay my TV licence (due again now) !

    When will RTE broadcast digitally ?

    I know it's pointless,.. but I just needed to have a little rant


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    Gixerboy wrote: »
    I hate having to pay my TV licence (due again now) !

    I hate paying tax, but such is life.

    Not much you can do, except pay your TV license.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    Paying a TV licence has nothing to do with being able to watch RTE, or even receive the channels. It's a licence to own a television, nothing more.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,688 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    a) you can receive RTE but your apartment block won't allw you putup an aerial, not RTE

    b) you can get it digitally

    c) TV licence is for TV, not getting reception (it sucks, but such is life)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,272 ✭✭✭✭Max Power1


    TheDriver wrote: »
    a) you can receive RTE but your apartment block won't allw you putup an aerial, not RTE

    b) you can get it digitally

    c) TV licence is for TV, not getting reception (it sucks, but such is life)
    but you have to pay twice for the privilege


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,333 ✭✭✭gaz wac


    If you cant get RTE you dont have to buy a tv licence ...FACT *




    * This is a lie, the fact that I put FACT at the end of sentence means nothing...FACT :rolleyes:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 47 Gixerboy


    I think RTE tested digital broadcasting around Dublin before,.. and I assume they will have to do it sometime (maybe, hopefully) in the near future,.. put some of our licence money into updating technology


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,111 ✭✭✭lucylu


    metal clothes hanger => best aerial ever


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    If you have a DVB receiver, or a TV that has DVB built in, then you can receive RTE1 & 2, TV3 and TG4 in most areas already. The DVB receiver must have an MPEG4 decoder, so a lot of ones bought from the UK won't work, as they use MPEG2. A small indoor aerial is often enough to receive the digital broadcast.

    Digital broadcast is currently in testing, so it's not always turned on for all channels. It comes and goes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    jor el wrote: »
    Paying a TV licence has nothing to do with being able to watch RTE, or even receive the channels. It's a licence to own a television, nothing more.
    That might be the legalistic argument, but legal mumbo jumbo and pedantics aside I would argue that it certainly is to do with RTE. From their own website.

    http://www.rte.ie/about/licence.html
    What is the licence fee used for?
    The greater proportion of RTÉ's activities are public service activities but the cost of providing these services is well in excess of the amount of public funding received in the form of Licence Fee revenue. As a result RTÉ is critically reliant on a Dual Public / Commercial funding model and must engage in ancillary commercial activities aimed at generating commercial revenues to bridge the gap in public funding received.

    The accompanying pie-chart shows the attribution of Licence Fee revenues, received by RTÉ during 2008, to some of the public service activities carried out. The table following separately sets out a representation of how the proportion of each Licence Fee received was utilised during 2008 as RTÉ neither receives, nor is entitled to the benefit of, all of the Licence Fee monies collected.

    NOTE: RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ Publishing (RTÉ Aertel, rte.ie, RTÉ Guide) did not receive any public funding.
    licence_graph.gif

    I have major issues with the TV licence, it should be abolished and let people subscribe to TV, they are running scared though. But if they insist on a compulsory subscription then it should be just included in normal taxes, the costs in policing and administation are huge and....
    What if I don't have a TV licence?
    In Ireland, around 99% of households have a television.

    It would be like having a pavement or walking tax, checking people on the street for a walking licence, when 99% of people do walk. Its ridiculous and there is a high rate of not paying in Ireland.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland
    In 2002, the rate of licence-fee evasion was estimated at 12%.[6] In the Dublin region in that year, approximately 21% of detected evaders were summonsed for prosecution (6,000 cases);[7] approximately one third of these cases resulted in fines, averaging €174.[8] Only 4% of fined evaders followed up three months later had purchased a licence

    It does also say
    The licence must be paid for any premises that has any equipment that can potentially decode TV signals, even those that are not RTÉ's
    So the OP does indeed have to pay, but I think this should not be the case, it is obviously intended for RTE, and this clause is a cop-out for their poor service/transmission.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,344 ✭✭✭Thoie


    So what they're saying is that the potential fine is only an average of €14 more expensive than the license?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 47 Gixerboy


    Since my initial rant,.. I've searched the RTE website myself, and found the following article suggesting we might have the digital broadcast by 2012,.. ah not so bad,.. it has to happen sometime soon



    One Vision awarded DTT contract

    Monday, 11 May 2009 16:57
    The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has awarded the contract to provide digital terrestrial television services in Ireland to the One Vision group.
    One Vision includes TV3, Setanta and Eircom.
    The BCI said the award was subject to negotiations, which will take place over the coming weeks.
    Advertisement

    Last month the original winner, Boxer, which included Denis O'Brien's Communicorp, said it had withdrawn its applications for the three multiplex contracts.
    Following the withdrawal, the BCI said it would ask One Vision, which came second in the competition last year, if it was interested.
    DTT is set to replace the current analogue television signal, which is due to be switched off at the end of 2012.
    Households without satellite or cable television services will have to upgrade to DTT.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,235 ✭✭✭lucernarian


    I think that the law, while clear, is still an ass on this occasion. If people demonstrate that they are incapable of getting EBU grade 3 reception without taking a cable/sat subscription, the law should reflect that fact. This is especially true if that house still has TVs for the purpose of watching non-broadcast things (games, DVDs in particular).

    We may rest assured that the good civil servants of the DCENR shall never let that come to pass.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,683 ✭✭✭Kensington


    RTÉ is already availably digitally, via the DTT tests in progress - however, if you can't get an analogue signal through rabbit's ears in your apartment, then you probably won't pick up the DTT mux either. It will almost certainly NEVER be available, free, through digital satellite. Rights issues being one, the fact sky pay all the costs associated with RTÉ broadcasting on satellite being another.
    Thoie wrote: »
    So what they're saying is that the potential fine is only an average of €14 more expensive than the license?
    You have to pay the fine AND then you are supposed to buy a licence on top of that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,788 ✭✭✭✭krudler


    I refuse to pay my tv license, I paid for the tv I'm sure a **** not paying for the right to watch it, **** RTE and their antiquated tax, a license for a tv ffs its not a dog! We've lived in the same place for 5 years, got 2 letters about getting a license in all that time and it was never followed up on, sometimes our inept government bodies are an advantage


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Gixerboy wrote: »
    DTT is set to replace the current analogue television signal, which is due to be switched off at the end of 2012.
    Households without satellite or cable television services will have to upgrade to DTT.
    So does this mean if you do not upgrade you don't have to pay a TV licence? My plasma has no tuner so is exempt, but I have decoders & other TVs. I do know a guy with a holiday home who would have to pay full whack for a TV he rarely would use, so he got a LCD with no tuner and just watches dvds while there.
    krudler wrote: »
    I refuse to pay my tv license,
    Don't worry, everybody else is paying for you. Thats why they licence is so high, because of the likes of you. It is ridiculous how easy this tax evasion is, this is why I would like it included in normal taxes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,786 ✭✭✭slimjimmc


    rubadub wrote: »
    So does this mean if you do not upgrade you don't have to pay a TV licence? My plasma has no tuner so is exempt, but I have decoders & other TVs.
    No such luck I'm afraid, unless the law is changed a license would still be required after RTE switch over to digital. The licence is for any kit which is capable of receiving and displaying broadcast tv so that would include a decoder & tv setup. If you only had an analogue tv it would still be capable of receiving from other analogue broadcasters even if RTE go total digital.
    http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1972/en/act/pub/0005/sec0001.html
    "television set" means any apparatus for wireless telegraphy designed primarily for the purpose of receiving and exhibiting television programmes broadcast for general reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction therewith) and any assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus.
    Don't worry, everybody else is paying for you. Thats why they licence is so high, because of the likes of you. It is ridiculous how easy this tax evasion is, this is why I would like it included in normal taxes.
    normal taxes = VAT or income tax? if the latter anyone on the dole or below the income tax threshold won't be liable, while some households would effectively be paying 2 or 3 times (multiple earners). More door-to-door knocking is needed to catch the offenders.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    slimjimmc wrote: »
    No such luck I'm afraid, unless the law is changed a license
    Yes, thats what I am getting at, will the law change. The license is for RTE, the equipment talk is just legalistic crap to avoid loopholes.

    http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/consumer-affairs/media/tv_licences
    Every household, business or institution in Ireland with a television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal (using an aerial, satellite dish, cable or other means) must have a television licence. A television licence is a certificate that states that you have paid the appropriate fee to the government and contributed to the cost of public service broadcasting in Ireland.....

    Each year, the government provides a grant to RTE (the national broadcasting organisation), which is funded by your television licence fee. RTE has responsibilities to deliver public service programmes in Ireland.....

    If your household, business or institution possesses a television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal, you are required by law to have a television licence. Even if the television or other equipment is broken and currently unable to receive a signal, it is regarded as capable of being repaired so it can receive a signal and you must hold a licence for it.
    So maybe they will call your TV "broken"
    slimjimmc wrote: »
    normal taxes = VAT or income tax? if the latter anyone on the dole or below the income tax threshold won't be liable
    I am not sure where the money should come from. But it says the government give RTE a grant, it should just come from where the same pot other grants come from. If that is from income tax then people on the dole are not paying for other grants. Like my suggestion that a walking licence would be ridiculous, or a "shoe tax" if the shoes are fit to walk on a footpath you must pay for the footpath, whether you use it or not. Who pays for footpaths?
    slimjimmc wrote: »
    some households would effectively be paying 2 or 3 times (multiple earners).
    And I do think house holds with multiple earners should be paying more anyway. It is not fair that a single person with 1 TV can be paying €160 for what is essentially a forced contribution to a grant to RTE, while next door could have 5 people with 10 TVs all working and they just have to pay 1/5th of that grant, simply because there are more people in their house.
    slimjimmc wrote: »
    More door-to-door knocking is needed to catch the offenders.
    This costs a huge amount of money, as does the processing, admin, court time, imprisoning etc. It makes no sense to me to go out catching offenders when they should not even be given the means to offend in the first place.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,986 ✭✭✭✭mikemac


    slimjimmc wrote: »
    normal taxes = VAT or income tax? if the latter anyone on the dole or below the income tax threshold won't be liable, while some households would effectively be paying 2 or 3 times (multiple earners). More door-to-door knocking is needed to catch the offenders.

    Nope, people on the dole don't get free licenses.
    That's for people on disability and also pensioners.
    Edit: People who are blind get free TV licenses too :D

    RTE have to pay the contract with An Post and this costs millions every year!
    Inspectors have to paid, admininstrators to send notice and to manage the system and of course solicitors for the lists of people they prosecute

    I was in court last month, I hadn't paid a TV licence for 14 months.
    I got fined 120 euro, lol I saved money as the licence is 160
    Though I had to take time off work so maybe not.....
    I have a license now

    With 99% of homes having a TV it makes sense to scrap the licence and absorb it into taxation.
    Now maybe RTE would be afraid of government interference and their budget would be slashed if they hassled a minister. We have a Minister for Communications so get some funding guarantee and that problem is solved

    The only loser is An Post and that is a commerical company, it isn't semi-state, so feck them!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,786 ✭✭✭slimjimmc


    mikemac wrote: »
    Nope, people on the dole don't get free licenses.
    That's for people on disability and also pensioners.
    Edit: People who are blind get free TV licenses too :D

    I think you may have misunderstood my post, I wasn't saying that dole recipient get free licences. What I was saying was that tax payers would be funding licences for non-tax payers if the licence was derived from income tax.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    slimjimmc wrote: »
    I think you may have misunderstood my post, I wasn't saying that dole recipient get free licences. What I was saying was that tax payers would be funding licences for non-tax payers if the licence was derived from income tax.

    Thats not awhole lot different from the current system where the honest majority pays and still a number of people knowingly do not pay dispite the fact they have a device receiving tv signals.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭mcaul


    How is it that so many people who will pay Sky Broadcasting (A uk company that provides very little employment in Ireland) €300 a year for channels that are mainly feee to air yet have a problem paying €140 in Ireland that creates thousands of jobs in braodcasting, film & drama?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    mcaul wrote: »
    How is it that so many people who will pay Sky Broadcasting (A uk company that provides very little employment in Ireland) €300 a year for channels that are mainly feee to air yet have a problem paying €140 in Ireland that creates thousands of jobs in braodcasting, film & drama?

    People like to bitch and moan ;)
    My only problem is those actually paying for a tv license when they don't use their tv to view ANY tv channels and only use it for dvd's etc


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 242 ✭✭Ghetto Cornetto


    A f*cking deplorable excuse for taxation. There are many, many things which contribute to a growing, seething resentment I have for how this country is run. But when you factor in a tax just to own my television set, it's just borderline absurd. And then there's the ad campaign... should I even start? Depicting people as criminals for not contributing to this farce? Don't make me f*cking sick.

    There is not a single television station recieved in my household as we find this form of entertainment obsolete with the internet's ease of use. I have already paid ludicrous amount of money for my monitor, setup and internet connection. By far, the last thing on my agenda is a guilty conscience for avoiding this disgraceful display from our higher ups.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,715 ✭✭✭blackbox


    mcaul wrote: »
    How is it that so many people who will pay Sky Broadcasting (A uk company that provides very little employment in Ireland) €300 a year for channels that are mainly feee to air yet have a problem paying €140 in Ireland that creates thousands of jobs in braodcasting, film & drama?

    I pay for Sky because it is the only way that I can receive RTE.

    Terrestrial reception is blocked by hills. I have been in contact with RTE and they have no interest in resolving the situation.

    ...so yes, I resent having to pay twice for RTE - most of the other channels BBC , UTV etc. are available on freesat.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,235 ✭✭✭lucernarian


    That's a damn good point. Coverage issues would quickly disappear were the license fee be linked to reception quality.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,465 ✭✭✭MOH


    mcaul wrote: »
    How is it that so many people who will pay Sky Broadcasting (A uk company that provides very little employment in Ireland) €300 a year for channels that are mainly feee to air yet have a problem paying €140 in Ireland that creates thousands of jobs in braodcasting, film & drama?

    Because I almost never watch anything on RTE? Because they're incapable of basics like showing programs at scheduled times?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 153 ✭✭suimhneas


    they keep showing that flippin reeling in the years how many times a week is it on and then on sunday they do back to back episodes, and for the love of god dont get me started on the late late show! National broadcaster? National Disgrace more like.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭mcaul


    MOH wrote: »
    Because I almost never watch anything on RTE? Because they're incapable of basics like showing programs at scheduled times?

    I've heard that one so many times, yet the same people will watch Rugby, soccer, news and a lot more than they realise on RTE. They'll listen to rte radio too.

    At the end of the day, the licence fee contributes to programming quality far above what would be possible in a commercial only envirnoment. It pays for many hours of truly Irish made programming which is made by local Irish people in irish film studios.

    Whilst the fee is obligatory, you are not obliged to watch anything or any channel. Same way, taxes pay for upgrading of roads in donegal - I would rarely use them, but a portion of my tax went to pay for them. Equally, a portion of my paye goes to fund social welfare - I've never had to claim, & hopefully never will, but I can't just say eff you, take that portion off my tax bill.!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,688 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    this is one debate where all it will succeed is getting blood pressures elevated. Licence fee won't even be gotten rid off and all we can hope is that is doesn't go up.
    With regards bad programming, well most other channels are the same. you pay for sky and watch lots of ads every 15 mins, the fta english channels have lots of repeats and bad programmes too, every channel suffers from the same. However, many people still watch the Late Late and hopefully the digital trials will sort most of the reception problems:I could never get tv3 but on the trial, I can get all 4 perfectly.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,231 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    rubadub wrote: »
    Don't worry, everybody else is paying for you. Thats why they licence is so high, because of the likes of you. It is ridiculous how easy this tax evasion is, this is why I would like it included in normal taxes.

    Ironic, but the poster that you were criticising, recently had the gall to criticise programmes on RTE in the television forum.:pac::rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    mcaul wrote: »
    How is it that so many people who will pay Sky Broadcasting (A uk company that provides very little employment in Ireland) €300 a year for channels that are mainly feee to air yet have a problem paying €140 in Ireland that creates thousands of jobs in braodcasting, film & drama?
    The problem is they are forced to subscribe to it, just because they have a TV. If people were forced to subscribe to Sky they would be bitching too. Obviously the people who subscribe to sky actually want to. They know they have such poor quality programs that many people would not subscribe to them, they are running scared so have this cosy little setup keeping the boys all in jobs. People object to the ridiculous fees being paid to these "celebrities" too.
    mcaul wrote: »
    At the end of the day, the licence fee contributes to programming quality far above what would be possible in a commercial only envirnoment.
    Yes, it is not fair on the other companies, why is it not a free market. If sky had forced subscriptions their programs could be better too.
    mcaul wrote: »
    Whilst the fee is obligatory, you are not obliged to watch anything or any channel.
    Yes and much of this money spent goes unwatched by many subscribers. This is what sickens people most, knowing the likes of Pat Kenny is being paid a fortune and hating the fact that they have to pay for him.

    I have used the analogy before of having a cooker licence, I expect 99% of homes have a cooker too. The government could issue households with recipes and/or food for the bargain €160 per year. If you do not like the recipes/food then STFU, just bin it, let it go to waste, like unwatched TV, someone out there might enjoy the food, nobody is forcing you to eat it, just forcing you to pay for it. We could get some unknown chef and in 10 years time he might be on a million euro, but sure hes worth it.

    People are watching these programs, maybe they do not have much choice of channels. If there were allowed spend that €160 on other subscription channels or had the money to buy dvds they might not be watching fair city.

    But it is presumed they do like it. I expect if they forced people to have the cooker licence people might eat food they do not particularly like just to not let it go to waste, and since they already paid for it and cannot afford an alternative. Since it has been around for most peoples lives they just accept it, there are no TV licences in many countries.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    suimhneas wrote: »
    they keep showing that flippin reeling in the years how many times a week is it on and then on sunday they do back to back episodes, and for the love of god dont get me started on the late late show! National broadcaster? National Disgrace more like.

    I'd rather they show reeling in the years then soaps, reeling in the years is one of the best programs RTE has ever produced


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,465 ✭✭✭MOH


    mcaul wrote: »
    I've heard that one so many times, yet the same people will watch Rugby, soccer, news and a lot more than they realise on RTE. They'll listen to rte radio too.
    I never listen to RTE radio. I'll watch rugby and soccer on RTE as a last resort - if it's on any other channel, I'll watch it there. I rarely watch the news, since I generally get it off the web during the day.
    At the end of the day, the licence fee contributes to programming quality far above what would be possible in a commercial only envirnoment. It pays for many hours of truly Irish made programming which is made by local Irish people in irish film studios.
    That's great, but most of the locally produced stuff that ends up on RTE is dire. Look at tonight, from 7pm on.
    RTE 1- Living lightly (some kind of reality program about economising), Eastenders, Fair City, About the House (some kind of interior design program), the news, Prime Time, Addicted to Money (McWilliams blathering about the recession again), The View (Nick Cave's written 2 novels?)

    RTE 2 - US imports all the way, apart from the news and Anonymous.

    There's actually nothing in all of that that I'd count as original quality programming made in Irish studios. The only thing that's Irish is news + current affairs, which is the one thing RTE generally does well, a couple of reality shows, and candid camera.

    I'd say the big problem most people have with the TV license is the insane salaries paid to keep some 'stars' who'd realistically have no chance of getting a job outside Ireland. If they're serious about developing Irish programs/talent, then spend the money there, no millions on a half dozen talking heads.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,688 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    US imports being the operative word, we actually have a great amount of US imports which UK has to subscribe to sky to get. RTE provides us with a lot of nearly up to date series for free (almost.....)


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,482 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    why are the posts continually making the correllation of TV licence = RTE when - as pointed out early in the thread - they have nothing to do with each other, the licence is matched with your TV not whether you watch/receive/ignore/love/hate etc RTE


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,166 ✭✭✭enda1


    slave1 wrote: »
    why are the posts continually making the correllation of TV licence = RTE when - as pointed out early in the thread - they have nothing to do with each other, the licence is matched with your TV not whether you watch/receive/ignore/love/hate etc RTE

    The reason is because the government justify the license by saying it is to fund public broadcasting.

    A bit like motor tax. It is not ring-fenced but is justified by saying that the ownership of a vehicle costs the government money (roads, signage etc.). However at least there is some sense in motor tax in that you don't have to pay it if you don't use public roads.

    TV license is nonsense! It just punishes the compliant. Because a huge number don't comply, the price goes up and is very high for the average Joe wife and 2 kids. The funding for state broadcasting should come from central exchequer and any such license be abolished!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    slave1 wrote: »
    why are the posts continually making the correllation of TV licence = RTE when - as pointed out early in the thread - they have nothing to do with each other,
    Because there IS a direct correllation, as I already pointed out early in the thread
    rubadub wrote: »
    That might be the legalistic argument, but legal mumbo jumbo and pedantics aside I would argue that it certainly is to do with RTE. From their own website.

    http://www.rte.ie/about/licence.html
    What is the licence fee used for?
    The greater proportion of RTÉ's activities are public service activities but the cost of providing these services is well in excess of the amount of public funding received in the form of Licence Fee revenue. As a result RTÉ is critically reliant on a Dual Public / Commercial funding model and must engage in ancillary commercial activities aimed at generating commercial revenues to bridge the gap in public funding received.

    The accompanying pie-chart shows the attribution of Licence Fee revenues, received by RTÉ during 2008, to some of the public service activities carried out. The table following separately sets out a representation of how the proportion of each Licence Fee received was utilised during 2008 as RTÉ neither receives, nor is entitled to the benefit of, all of the Licence Fee monies collected.

    NOTE: RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ Publishing (RTÉ Aertel, rte.ie, RTÉ Guide) did not receive any public funding.


    licence_graph.gif

    I have major issues with the TV licence, it should be abolished and let people subscribe to TV, they are running scared though. But if they insist on a compulsory subscription then it should be just included in normal taxes, the costs in policing and administation are huge and....


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    slave1 wrote: »
    why are the posts continually making the correllation of TV licence = RTE when - as pointed out early in the thread - they have nothing to do with each other, the licence is matched with your TV not whether you watch/receive/ignore/love/hate etc RTE

    This is very true you pay regardless of what channels you watch, the problem for the majority of people incl myself is RTE get the vast majority of money from this fee.

    In reality RTE should be made survive on their own like TV3 or previously how Channel 6 did and should not be supported by the tax payer.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,096 ✭✭✭✭the groutch


    when I get my own place, I gonna tell them to disconnect any tv from the place, and then I'm gonna play my games thru my computer monitor, and watch any tv shows for free online (at least until they amend what is one of the stupidest laws in existence)

    btw, if a licence inspector calls to the door, you can tell them to **** off, as they have no right to enter your premises without your permission or a warrant (only customs officers are exempt from this), and if they force their way into your house you can call the gardai on them for trespassing


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 66 ✭✭musky


    I don't feel comfortable answering my door to unannounced noises. These are difficult times and the risk of burgulary and theft are more prevalent than before.

    Sometimes it's better to stay safe and not talk to strangers.

    Question

    Are sky and upc obliged to pass over their client list to an post?

    and if so, is that a violation against the data protection acts?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,131 ✭✭✭subway


    btw, if a licence inspector calls to the door, you can tell them to **** off, as they have no right to enter your premises without your permission or a warrant (only customs officers are exempt from this), and if they force their way into your house you can call the gardai on them for trespassing

    i've often wondered about this. but are they allowed look in your windows?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    musky wrote: »
    Question

    Are sky and upc obliged to pass over their client list to an post?

    and if so, is that a violation against the data protection acts?

    I believe that Sky/UPC, etc do pass on their list.

    I don't believe it's against the data protection laws, but believe it's a requirement on them to provide the information. You'd have to check the specific Acts to be sure.
    subway wrote: »
    i've often wondered about this. but are they allowed look in your windows?

    Yes, nothing wrong with them look in your window, unless you have already asked them to leave your property, but if they can see from the street, there is nothing wrong with that.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,131 ✭✭✭subway


    grand, ill be staring in my neighbours windows, legally, from now on :D
    hope theyre all naked


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw




  • Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 32,387 Mod ✭✭✭✭DeVore


    How do "performing groups" get access to that 7.7% of the license fee?

    DeV.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,376 ✭✭✭metrovelvet


    Is there anyway you can get a flat screen monitor to do the trick. My tv has wire that plugs into reception in the wall. Idont get rte so I dont want to pay the license.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,791 ✭✭✭Linoge


    DeVore wrote: »
    How do "performing groups" get access to that 7.7% of the license fee?

    DeV.

    Was wondering this myself?! It must be the RTE Orchestra. Each musician must be paid more than Gerry Ryan!


  • Subscribers Posts: 16,617 ✭✭✭✭copacetic


    DeVore wrote: »
    How do "performing groups" get access to that 7.7% of the license fee?

    DeV.

    It's not as clear as it might be, the 'performing groups' is the title used for the grouping of classical groups funded under license fee. From the faqs here:

    http://www.rte.ie/performinggroups/
    They are the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet, the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir and the children's choir RTÉ Cór na nÓg. The five groups present over 250 events annually, including live performances and work in education. The groups are largely funded by licence fee revenue.

    In 2008, both orchestras celebrated 60 years in existence. Between them, the RTÉ NSO and the RTÉ CO employ a total of 134 professional musicians. The RTÉ Philharmonic Choir and the children's choir RTÉ Cór na nÓg are for singers at an amateur level. Currently, approximately 200 adults and children are involved in the choirs.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,096 ✭✭✭✭the groutch


    copacetic wrote: »
    It's not as clear as it might be, the 'performing groups' is the title used for the grouping of classical groups funded under license fee. From the faqs here:

    http://www.rte.ie/performinggroups/

    they should get more than that imo, and take it all out of Gerry Ryan's pay :D


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