Noel Curran stepping down as RTE DG

Sports Bra

Who do you think will replace him ? Willie O Reilly would be my guess, If not Kevin Backhurst or Dan Healy.

The Cush

Mary Curtis, head of UTV Ireland, she might be looking for a job by then.

Harry Palmr

Someone with an arts degree from the left centre/left and possibly a beard.

Harry Palmr

Brilliant - RTE report on RTE news about RTE suffers SNAFU. Sums the place up.

Elmo

Laura Slattery is cooing again. She leads me to believe that there are no standards in Irish journalism.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/rt%C3%A9-director-general-noel-curran-to-stand-down-in-may-1.2398630

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/curran-guided-rt%C3%A9-through-choppy-waters-1.2398640

Elmo

Sports Bra wrote: »

Who do you think will replace him ? Willie O Reilly would be my guess, If not Kevin Backhurst or Dan Healy.

A few reasons that Kevin Backhurst should not get the job: -

1. Yes he's an Enlishman, but he doesn't actually reside in Ireland. Choosing to travel for the job between his English home and his Irish job.
2. He never had a real connection to Ireland and the fact that he still lives a different country. There are plenty brilliantly qualified people residing in Ireland from many different countries, they are preferable.
3. While he took over at RTE following 2 journalistic scandals, he left his job in the BBC as part of a team of executive unwilling to broadcast Jimmy Saville's fall from "grace", we have too many of those types in Ireland, COWARDS.

The Cush

The upcoming Director General's vacancy is being advertised in the SBP today

http://www.merc.ie/current-opportunities/director-general-2/

STB.

Be very surprised if Conor Hayes doesn't get it this time around.

The Cush

STB. wrote: »

Be very surprised if Conor Hayes doesn't get it this time around.

There's a name from the past we haven't heard from since he left RTÉ back in 2012 and haven't seen his name linked to the job to date.

I see he continues as Chairman of the RTESA Trust (RTÉ's Superannuation Scheme) with assets close to €1bn.

STB.

I didn't even know he way gone!

Did he retire ? Wouldn't have thought he was old enough.

The Cush

STB. wrote: »

Did he retire ? Wouldn't have thought he was old enough.

Early retirement with six-figure lump sum in Sept 2012 - http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/chief-costcutter-in-rte-opts-for-early-retirement-26881224.html

The Cush

Interviewing of candidates for the position of director general of RTÉ starts next week, applicants can apply up to Jan 17th

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/michael-heney-the-next-director-general-of-rte-may-not-be-a-journalist-1.2485939

The Cush

First round interviews underway according to a piece in the Sunday Times today

Speculating on names in the mix, Kevin Bakhurst, head of TV Glen Killane, group commercial director Willie O'Reilly, chief digital officer Muirne Laffan, md of corporate development Brian Dalton, Rory Coveney, brother of Minister Simon Coveney and strategic adviser to the current DG.

Outside of RTÉ former TV3 boss David McRedmond and Steve Carson, husband of Miriam O'Callaghan.

Another name doing the rounds is Lucy Gaffney, chair of DOB's Communicorp and director of Digicel and former board member of INM. A DOB insider running RTÉ?

A reduced second round of interviews will be before an RTÉ Board sub-committee including Moya Doherty.

Elmo

The Cush wrote: »

First round interviews underway according to a piece in the Sunday Times today

Speculating on names in the mix, Kevin Bakhurst, head of TV Glen Killane, group commercial director Willie O'Reilly, chief digital officer Muirne Laffan, md of corporate development Brian Dalton.

Outside of RTÉ Rory Coveney, brother of Minister Simon Coveney and special advisor adviser to the current DG. Former TV3 boss David McRedmond and Simon Carson, husband of Miriam O'Callaghan.

Another name doing the rounds is Lucy Gaffney, chair of DOB's Communicorp and director of Digicel and former board member of INM. A DOB insider running RTÉ?

A reduced second round of interviews will be before an RTÉ Board sub-committee including Moya Doherty.

Another one to add to my list of a definite no

Lucy Gaffney

How is Rory Coveney outside RTÉ as adviser to the DG?

Steve Carson is the name not Simon (He was in RTÉ at one stage)

Lucy Gaffney, Kevin Bankhurst and David McRedmond (RTÉ connection? Daddy was their from the start) don't have enough experience in terms of Irish Public Service Broadcasting.

The Cush

Elmo wrote: »

How is Rory Coveney outside RTÉ as adviser to the DG?

Steve Carson is the name not Simon (He was in RTÉ at one stage)

Post updated.

The Cush

First round interviews completed over a week ago. Successful candidates believed to have been informed in the past week.

Deputy Director-General Kevin Bakhurst and head of TV Glen Killane reported as having made it to the next round of interviews. A number of external candidates will also be interviewed by a 5 person interview sub-committee chaired by Moya Doherty of the RTÉ Board.

TV3's former boss David McRedmond is reported as out of the running.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/Business/article1667684.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2016_02_13

Elmo

The Cush wrote: »

TV3's former boss David McRedmond is reported as out of the running.

It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

brick man

I think it's Kevin Bakhurst's to lose as he is widely tipped . I know some people have different issues with him getting job time will tell .

Elmo

brick man wrote: »

I think it's Kevin Bakhurst's to lose as he is widely tipped . I know some people have different issues with him getting job time will tell .

Major issue surrounding his time in the BBC as head of the news channel, also is he actually living in Ireland? I know he travelled back to England for family at weekends.

Mr Sea Wolf

Is Dan Healy not a contender at all ?

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

First round interviews completed over a week ago. Successful candidates believed to have been informed in the past week.

Deputy Director-General Kevin Bakhurst and head of TV Glen Killane reported as having made it to the next round of interviews. A number of external candidates will also be interviewed by a 5 person interview sub-committee chaired by Moya Doherty of the RTÉ Board.

TV3's former boss David McRedmond is reported as out of the running.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/Business/article1667684.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2016_02_13

Article in the latest issue of the Phoenix magazine poking a bit of fun at the Irish Independent and an article they published about the conclusion of first round of interviews. In the Indo article the speculation that Lucy Gaffney, chair of DOB's Communicorp and director of Digicel and former board member of INM was interested in the position of RTÉ DG was rubbished.

The Phoenix article pointed out that the Indo omitted from its article INM group editor in chief Stephen Rae, "O'Brien's top man in his media empire", applied for the job months ago and is through to the second round of interviews.

Others through to the next round of interviews Mary Curtis ex-UTV Ireland/RTÉ and Steve Carson.

Rory Coveney hasn't made the second round.

http://www.independent.ie/business/media/usual-suspects-dark-horses-and-wild-cards-vie-for-rte-throne-34430087.html

Elmo

The Cush wrote: »

Others through to the next round of interviews Mary Curtis ex-UTV Ireland/RTÉ

Where is Mary Curtis coming from AFAIK she's taking a few years sabbatical.

The Cush

Elmo wrote: »

Where is Mary Curtis coming from AFAIK she's taking a few years sabbatical.

The Phoenix refers to her as the gender quota candidate in the second round of interviews and doesn't believe she'll be rewarded with the top job.

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

Others through to the next round of interviews Mary Curtis ex-UTV Ireland/RTÉ and Steve Carson.[/url]

According to Miriam O'Callaghan her husband Steve Carson has not applied for the job

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/my-hubby-doesnt-want-rte-top-job-says-miriam-ocallaghan-34510867.html

Elmo

well I am happy if Dee Forbes gets the job, I don't know her but the list of possibilities just got shredded as they should have been long ago, I could only see 1 or maybe 2 good possibilities from the lists of suggestions.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/dee-forbes-expected-to-be-next-director-general-of-rt%C3%A9-1.2595208

The Cush

https://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2016/0401/778907-rte-appoints-dee-forbes-as-director-general-rte/

Following a rigorous recruitment process overseen by its Board, RTÉ has today appointed Dee Forbes as Director-General. This appointment is subject to the Government’s consent under Section 89 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

Ms Forbes is currently President & Managing Director of Discovery Networks Northern Europe, and will leave the role to become Director General of Ireland’s National Public Service Media. Having joined Discovery in 2010 as Head of the UK/Ireland operation, Ms Forbes progressively grew her responsibilities to eventually lead the Northern Europe region, which also includes Benelux and the Nordic countries, and has a wide mix of channels, both free-to-air and subscription. Ms Forbes will assume her new role later this year after a transition period.

Moya Doherty, Chair of the Board, RTÉ, said: “The appointment of Dee Forbes stands to mark a significant moment in the development of RTÉ. Not only is this the first Director-General in almost fifty years to be appointed externally, but she will also be the first female to hold the role. RTÉ is at a pivotal moment, one where the future shape and financing of public service broadcasting is being re-imagined. I am delighted to have someone with such a breadth of industry experience, such a creative and visionary understanding of the global broadcasting market, and a proven management record.”

Ms Forbes said: “Although it was a tough professional decision to leave Discovery, the personal decision to return to Ireland and lead its biggest broadcaster, RTÉ, is an opportunity of a lifetime."

Before joining Discovery, Dee Forbes led Turner Broadcasting’s business in the UK and Ireland, which consisted of seven entertainment channels, including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM. She spent several years working at Turner in a variety of commercial roles including General Manager for the Nordic/Central and Eastern Europe and EMA regions and Head of Advertising Sales for Europe.

Good luck to her. Could be wise choice when it come to awarding of Irish terrestrial rights to the 2020/24 Olympic Games with Discovery Channel holding the pan-European rights - http://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/2015/0715/714850-ryle-nugent_rte/

Sam Russell

It is nice to see RTE sticking with D 4.

Sam Russell

Sam Russell wrote: »

It is nice to see RTE sticking with D 4.

Haha, I thought the exact same when I heard it!

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

The Cush

Irish Times - [URL="httphttp://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/dee-forbes-is-switching-sides-in-a-brutal-tv-sports-rights-game-1.2600283://"]Dee Forbes is switching sides in a brutal TV sports rights game[/URL]

RTÉ must negotiate with its new DG’s old employer if it wants to show Olympics

The Cush

Dept of Communication press release - http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/news-and-media/en-ie/Pages/PressRelease/Appointment%20of%20Dee%20Forbes%20as%20the%20new%20DG%20of%20RTÉ.aspx

http://www.independent.ie/business/media/cabinet-consents-to-forbes-appointment-as-next-rt-boss-34606426.html

The Cush

Dee Forbes takes up the position of RTÉ DG on Monday 10th July, according to an article in the Irish Times in a report on the departure of Glen Killane, Head of Television to eir as MD of Eir TV and Eir Sport

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/rt%C3%A9-television-boss-glen-killane-leaves-for-eir-1.2713708

Elmo

The Cush wrote: »

Dee Forbes takes up the position of RTÉ DG on Monday 10th July, according to an article in the Irish Times in a report on the departure of Glen Killane, Head of Television to eir as MD of Eir TV and Eir Sport

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/rt%C3%A9-television-boss-glen-killane-leaves-for-eir-1.2713708

I though she started 2 weeks ago.

The journalist is making a fact of her suggested DG applicants, rather than confirming that any actually applied.

The Cush

Dee Forbes officially started as director general of RTE yesterday

Although she has been in and out of Montrose for weeks, Dee Forbes officially started as director general of RTE today and has already set out her main aim – to future-proof the state broadcaster.

In an e-mail to staff, Forbes said she was “thrilled and excited” to be at RTE, adding that she planned to meet as many of them as a possible in the coming days and weeks as she gets to know more about them and the business.

“My visits in recent months have confirmed what I always believed – this is a very special place. RTÉ is a fantastic organisation with two great strengths: its enormously talented people and its unique place in Irish life,” she said.

In her most recent role, Forbes was president and managing director of Discovery Networks Northern Europe. There, she managed 27 TV brands in 18 markets, reaching more than 270 million households every month across Europe.

Before joining Discovery, Forbes led Turner Broadcasting’s business in Britain and Ireland, which consisted of seven entertainment channels, including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM.

In the e-mail, she said: “My aim is to work with you to future-proof the organisation to cope with the changes our industry is facing whilst ensuring that RTÉ is a beacon of creativity at home and abroad.”

She said staff had much to be proud of, include the recent RTÉ Investigates programme on Console, trophies from the recent Justice Media Awards and New York Festivals, as well as RTÉ’s sports coverage of the Euros in France and the GAA Championship, children’s and Irish-language programmes, its orchestras, and generally the role played by RTÉ in the cultural life of the nation.

“As an Irishwoman who has spent 27 years back and forth to Ireland, RTÉ has been one of the great constants. In an ever-changing world, the role of RTÉ in Irish society is more important than ever. We cannot assume our place in people’s affections. It was won by you and the people who went before you and, in a very fragmented world, we have to keep earning that role,” she said.

The state broadcaster faces many challenges, she said, adding that public funding and legislative reform were of critical importance. Forbes will work with the RTÉ Executive and Board “to push for positive outcomes for RTÉ, the creative sector as a whole and most of all, our audiences”, she said.

As a dual-funded public service media, RTE has a huge opportunity to revolutionise how it distributes its programming and content, organises itself and generates the income necessary to develop and fund its public services, she said.

She said that she was “committed to giving everything to this important role as we begin a new chapter in the history of this extraordinary organisation and I look forward to meeting all of you and to working with you to shape our future.”

She also wished Glen Killane luck in his new role. Killane, the former managing director of RTÉ Television stepped down last week to join Eir sport.

Forbes is the first woman appointed as director general at RTÉ, and first external appointee at this level since businessman Kevin McCourt took the role in 1963.

http://www.businesspost.ie/new-dg-says-main-aim-to-future-proof-rte/

galtee boy

Coincidence probably, but her first improvement is Fair City in full HD from Thursday as distinct from upscaled all along.

Elmo

Dermot Horan takes over from Glen Killane. former Head of Acquisitions and Broadcast, good choice IMO.

Elmo

Bakhurst to OfCom.

Cliff Walker

Must be fed up after not getting the dg job.

Elmo

Cliff Walker wrote: »

Must be fed up after not getting the dg job.

Good. A manager supposed to bring a some editorial control in an organisation rife in group think, from a high editorial position in another company hiding their so-called "stars" from embarrassment.

Is that cryptic enough?

The Cush

Elmo wrote: »

Bakhurst to OfCom.

He will become Ofcom’s content group director to oversee its content and media policy.

All part of the prep work in Ofcom to assume the duties of the BBC Trust in regulating the BBC from next April.

Recent reports indicated that Ofcom may not be ready in time to assume responsibility.

http://media.ofcom.org.uk/news/2016/kevin-bakhurst/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=kevin-bakhurst

The Cush

Managing Director, RTÉ News & Current Affairs Vacancy

8 August 2016: RTÉ is seeking to fill the role of Managing Director, RTÉ News & Current Affairs.

As Ireland’s national public service media, RTÉ provides independent news and current affairs content across multiple platforms.

RTÉ is now seeking to fill the role of: MANAGING DIRECTOR, RTÉ NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

One of the most senior editorial and management positions in Irish media, the post requires an exceptional leader with proven editorial judgement and senior level experience in managing significant financial, human and technical resources, as well as a passion for public service media, experience in broadcasting and digital media, and a clear understanding of Ireland’s politics, culture and history.

Reporting to the Director-General and as a member of the RTÉ Executive Board, the Managing Director will be central to the future development of the organisation and its staff, maintaining and enhancing editorial standards, leading through a period of unprecedented change in audience consumption and communicating externally RTÉ’s core public purpose and journalistic values.

To apply, please write, in strictest confidence, stating how you meet the above requirements and quoting reference "MD News" to:

MERC Partners, 11/12 Richview Office Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14. Email: info@merc.ie

RTÉ is an equal opportunities employer.

http://www.rte.ie/about/en/working-with-rte/2016/0810/808271-vacancy-managing-director-rte-news-current-affairs/

https://twitter.com/rte/status/763129066870468608


Miriam O’Callaghan’s husband Steve Carson is being tipped to take over as managing director of RTE news and current affairs following the departure of Kevin Bakhurst - http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/steve-carson-tipped-for-top-rte-job-34944859.html

Three other senior vacancies at RTÉ - http://www.independent.ie/business/media/new-rt-boss-tries-to-boost-morale-as-exodus-continues-34937415.html
- Managing Director of Television Glen Killane is moving to eir
- RTÉ2 Channel Controller Bill Malone is joining TV3
- Deputy MD of RTE News and Current Affairs Michael Good retired at the end of June

Elmo

The Cush wrote: »

Miriam O’Callaghan’s husband Steve Carson is being tipped to take over as managing director of RTE news and current affairs following the departure of Kevin Bakhurst

Three other senior vacancies at RTÉ -
- Managing Director of Television Glen Killane is moving to eir
- RTÉ2 Channel Controller Bill Malone is joining TV3
- Deputy MD of RTE News and Current Affairs Michael Good retired at the end of June

I could see Steve Carson going for MD of TV but money will take him to MD of News.

RTÉ2 Channel Controller isn't that senior.

Elmo

Have to say Dee Forbes has been a disappointment. She seems intent on retaining the status quo. While she's meeting with politician, RTÉ is supposed to be apolitical when it comes to funding/views. Really reform of the licence fee would take its control away from the politicians. It will be interesting to see if she meets with any other politicians before the end of the year.

Elmo

Looks like head of news at newstalk might be next head of news at RTÉ. Garrett Harte exited newstalk during the week.

The Cush

Announced today, he has been Managing Editor, International News, at ABC News in New York since March 2013, previously worked at the BBC and ITN. He takes up his position in the new year.

Kevin Bakhurst left RTE at the end of October and the position will be filled in the interim by Hilary McGouran, Managing Editor, Television News

http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2016/1111/830860-jon-williams-announced-as-new-managing-director-rte-news-and-cur/

expectationlost

The Cush wrote: »

Announced today, he has been Managing Editor, International News, at ABC News in New York since March 2013, previously worked at the BBC and ITN. He takes up his position in the new year.

Kevin Bakhurst left RTE at the end of October and the position will be filled in the interim by Hilary McGouran, Managing Editor, Television News

http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2016/1111/830860-jon-williams-announced-as-new-managing-director-rte-news-and-cur/

why would he want to become head of RTE?

Elmo

expectationlost wrote: »

why would he want to become head of RTE?

I assume to be closer to home and that we over pay our executives at almost all companies.

Bakhurst got a sweet deal AFAIK he was able to expense his trips home and he seemed to demand the Deputy DG title, which had been vacant for a number of years and I assume it came with a bump in pay. I be very surprised if he didn't head to OfCom purely because he didn't get to be DG.