RTÉ 5 year strategy 2018 - 2022

The Cush

RTÉ recently published a tender seeking consultants to assist them on its “strategic projects framework” which will include its next five-year strategy statement for the period 2018-22 - https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders/ViewNotice/183699

The current five-year strategy was published 3 years ago and covers the period 2012-17. It included plans for Saorview Connect, RTÉ Ireland and IPTV channels which have now been postponed according to a lecture given by Noel Curran earlier this year.

RTÉ is seeking consultants to assist the organisation with its plans for the future, including its strategy on content and media regulation.

The broadcaster has put the contracts covering consultancy services on its “strategic projects framework” out to tender, with a major element of the work involving the development of its next five-year strategy statement, which it is obliged to prepare under the Broadcasting Act 2009.

The five-year strategy document, which covers the period 2018 to 2022, will include cost estimates for RTÉ’s wish list of activities, and it will become part of the next five-year review by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) of the adequacy of public service funding.

RTÉ’s last five-year strategy statement, for the period 2012-2017, was published in September 2013 with the proviso that it was “finance-dependent”.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/rt%C3%A9-seeks-consultants-for-five-year-strategy-1.2750632

Sam Russell

From tender:
RTÉ’s last five-year strategy statement, for the period 2012-2017, was published in September 2013.

What did they do for strategy for 2012 and 2013 if their strategy was not published for that period? No wonder they make it up as they go along.

The Cush

Sam Russell wrote: »

What did they do for strategy for 2012 and 2013 if their strategy was not published for that period? No wonder they make it up as they go along.

The redacted public version was published Sept that year with Noel Curran's forward dated the previous Jan. Prior to publication RTÉs more detailed and commercially sensitive Costed 5-Year Strategic Plan (2013-17) had already been considered by the Department and the BAI in their 5 year review of funding for public service broadcasting which was published in May 2013. Safe to assume the strategy had already been developed and available internally and to the BAI consultants prior to 2013.

This new consultancy contract tender covers a period of 3 years from award, well into the next 5 year strategy.

Elmo

This happens in all organisations but ...


why do they need consultants for this project. Surely RTE have a wealth of information open to them from the public, audience research and more.

SPDUB

Elmo wrote: »

This happens in all organisations but ...


why do they need consultants for this project. .

As in all organisations so the consultants can be blamed if difficult decisions need to be made or things go wrong .

Elmo

SPDUB wrote: »

As in all organisations so the consultants can be blamed if difficult decisions need to be made or things go wrong .

Still a waste of money, we forget how much money is spend on consultations, which could go into programme production.

StreetLight

RTE strategy: Kick the can just far enough down the road to the launch of the next strategy.

mackersdublin

Any mention of RTÉ Ireland for the UK? That was mentioned in the last 5 yr plan

medoc

Could RTÉ make any submissions to the people giving the go ahead for the Virgin buy out of UTV Ireland? Now that the TV3 group will be much stronger could RTÉ seek permission and get it for their proposed (years ago) RTÉ 3 and also the removal of RTÉ JR from daytime RTÉ 2.

The Cush

mackersdublin wrote: »

Any mention of RTÉ Ireland for the UK? That was mentioned in the last 5 yr plan

The last 5 year plan is still the current plan, they are only seeking consultants at this stage to develop the next 5 years strategy.

Rick_

Would anyone be able to briefly detail what was decided upon on the last 5 year strategy and what was/wasn't implemented from it?

gordongekko

pad e wrote: »

Would anyone be able to briefly detail what was decided upon on the last 5 year strategy and what was/wasn't implemented from it?

It's in the op

reboot

Catch Up Terrestrial TV anyone?
With Sky transmitting 4K , as of two weeks ago, when do we think the Terrestrial Broadcasters might follow? Interesting to note that the next Olympics in 2020 will come from Japan, where NHK announced they would be going straight to 8k.
Meanwhile 40 mins from Belfast at various "not spots", there is still no HD TV , Dab radio, mobile network, and broadband.
Plan that! Thanks

The Cush

reboot wrote: »

Catch Up Terrestrial TV anyone?

Saorview Connect, announcement soonish

https://twitter.com/SAORVIEW/status/766665289685667841

reboot wrote: »

With Sky transmitting 4K , as of two weeks ago, when do we think the Terrestrial Broadcasters might follow? Interesting to note that the next Olympics in 2020 will come from Japan, where NHK announced they would be going straight to 8k.

The current Japanese 8k test transmissions are over satellite at an estimated HEVC encoded bitrate of 50-200 Mbps. Even with better encoding in the years ahead there will be limited terrestrial capacity for such a service. Well in excess of current DVB-T2 mux capacities, UK 40 Mbps, Germany 22.5/27.5 Mbps (robust parameters).

In this part of the world only Germany will have the network capable of 4k broadcasting by 2019 but they have no plans for 4k terrestrial broadcasting at this time. Italy are mandating HEVC in all receivers from Jan 1st next with a possible network transition at 700MHz clearance, 2020-22, but again no plans for 4k broadcasting. In these 2 countries the focus is on maintaining current services with less available terrestrial spectrum.

The most recent 4k terrestrial test transmissions used 22.5 Mbps for acceptable high quality video. Still too capacity hungry in a time where terrestrial capacity is reducing.

reboot

Thanks for that, very informative, perhaps a discussion for another thread sometime, but thinking way outside a box, do we envisage a time when terrestrial broadcasting, as such, many be wound down,Tx power saved,and with faster broadband, even laser technology such as Opals, would we need an aerial on the chimney? We could perhaps save money if we even had to subsidise Sat dishes, or simply give the technology to folk for free?

icdg

I wouldn't think that will be on the cards at present. Certainly there was a view in the past that RTE's primary means of transmission had to be one which was under the ownership, ideally of RTE, but at least of the Irish state. This was a combination of a idealist view from some parties of state control of assets, but also from another point of view of national security (so that the Government would have a means of broadcasting to the masses if "war were declared"). I am not sure to the extent of which this view has changed of late.

The Cush

reboot wrote: »

but thinking way outside a box, do we envisage a time when terrestrial broadcasting, as such, many be wound down,Tx power saved,and with faster broadband, even laser technology such as Opals, would we need an aerial on the chimney? We could perhaps save money if we even had to subsidise Sat dishes, or simply give the technology to folk for free?

Proposed legislation currently making its way through the European Council & Parliament guarantees spectrum for terrestrial broadcasting to at least 2030 and probably well beyond even though there is a lot of pressure from the mobile industry to get their hand on it. The ITU will be looking at the whole UHF band and its future at the 2023 WRC.

Satellite delivery of TV won't replace terrestrial broadcasting for the reasons icdg posts above. In the very long term, 20-25 years +, combined with the rollout of fast broadband the future is likely to be IP delivery of TV. No aerials or dishes, just a single strand of fibre into your home for TV, internet, phone and whatever else by then. We're already seeing this with the likes of eir and Vodafone for example but also the traditional broadcasters are moving in this direction with their hybrid broadcast/broadband platforms, Freetime and Freeview Play in the UK with Saorview Connect coming here this year.

galtee boy

The Cush wrote: »

Proposed legislation currently making its way through the European Council & Parliament guarantees spectrum for terrestrial broadcasting to at least 2030 and probably well beyond even though there is a lot of pressure from the mobile industry to get their hand on it. The ITU will be looking at the whole UHF band and its future at the 2023 WRC.

Satellite delivery of TV won't replace terrestrial broadcasting for the reasons icdg posts above. In the very long term, 20-25 years +, combined with the rollout of fast broadband the future is likely to be IP delivery of TV. No aerials or dishes, just a single strand of fibre into your home for TV, internet, phone and whatever else by then. We're already seeing this with the likes of eir and Vodafone for example but also the traditional broadcasters are moving in this direction with their hybrid broadcast/broadband platforms, Freetime and Freeview Play in the UK with Saorview Connect coming here this year.

I would agree with you that IPTV is the future delivery system of tv into the home, but I wouldn't agree with your timeframe for it. I would give it 10 years maximum. Once high speed broadband is in every home, the likes of Sky will switch over to IPTV, it will save a fortune on satellites, transponders etc. Surely every home in the country will have 40/50 mb by 2026 ? Vodafones IPTV works perfectly on 40mb including HD channels.

The Cush

galtee boy wrote: »

I would agree with you that IPTV is the future delivery system of tv into the home, but I wouldn't agree with your timeframe for it. I would give it 10 years maximum.

My timeframe was for the possible replacement of terrestrial broadcasting by IP delivery, 10 years is too short a timeframe considering the availability of terrestrial spectrum until at least the end of 2030.

Broadcast networks around Europe will be spending a lot of cash over the next 4-6 years clearing the 700 MHz band and they will expect to get more than a few years of operation out of the their investment.

WRC 2023 will be making long term plans for the UHF band, most likely a DD3 clearance by 2030, maybe the 600MHz band. Terrestrial broadcasting to continue in the UHF band beyond 2030 using advanced transmission standards and codecs IMO.

IPTV services like Vodafone's are pay TV services, people will continue to want a FTA option and this is where hybrid broadcast/broadband will continue beyond 10 years.

reboot

icdg wrote: »

I wouldn't think that will be on the cards at present. Certainly there was a view in the past that RTE's primary means of transmission had to be one which was under the ownership, ideally of RTE, but at least of the Irish state. This was a combination of a idealist view from some parties of state control of assets, but also from another point of view of national security (so that the Government would have a means of broadcasting to the masses if "war were declared"). I am not sure to the extent of which this view has changed of late.

Totally agree on your last point.

The Cush

http://www.independent.ie/business/media/bloody-battle-rte-warns-on-new-rivals-35883839.html

RTÉ will submit its five-year strategy document by Sept this year to the Minister.

In advance of the strategy submission RTÉ has submitted a report titled 'The Media Landscape in Ireland' to the BAI

The submission to the BAI forms part of RTE's five-year strategy planning process, providing the context which will inform decisions. It does not make recommendations or propose solutions to the changing media landscape

However, RTE's five-year strategy document, which will be submitted later this year, will outline how it plans to deal with these challenges.

.

The Cush

New strategy document to be submitted to the BAI by the end of the month

Revealing that a detailed plan will be submitted to the broadcasting watchdog later this month, the “Emerging Strategy” also calls for “creative partnerships” and new “short-form content”.

https://www.thesun.ie/tvandshowbiz/tv/1545319/rte-bosses-sensationally-admit-their-shows-are-too-staid-for-modern-audiences-as-director-general-plans-major-shake-up/

Joe Duffy.

No sign of it ?

The Cush

Joe Duffy. wrote: »

No sign of it ?

It'll could be 12 months or more before its published, it has to go through the BAI/Dept of Comms process first.

The last strategy document, 2012/17, wasn't published until late 2013 IIRC.

The BAI contracted Communication Chambers RK Ltd earlier this year to review the PSB's five year strategies with final report to be delivered by the end of March next - https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase.asp?PID=105379

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

In advance of the strategy submission RTÉ has submitted a report titled 'The Media Landscape in Ireland' to the BAI

The submission to the BAI forms part of RTE's five-year strategy planning process, providing the context which will inform decisions. It does not make recommendations or propose solutions to the changing media landscape

However, RTE's five-year strategy document, which will be submitted later this year, will outline how it plans to deal with these challenges.

The Media Landscape in Ireland report is available from here - http://www.rte.ie/about/en/policies-and-reports/reports/2017/1024/914793-the-media-landscape-in-ireland/

Report link - https://static.rasset.ie/documents/about/2017/10/the-media-landscape-in-ireland.pdf

The Cush

RTÉ DG Dee Forbes is the welcome and keynote speaker at this week's Belfast Media Festival, Theatre One - Day One 16th November 2017 12:45 - 14:00.

She gives the RTS Dan Gilbert Lecture which "will set out RTɒs strategy for the next five years – the organisational changes, the technology investments and editorial and creative priorities for the years ahead".

http://www.belfastmediafestival.co.uk/events/welcome/

The Dan Gilbert Lecture presented by the Royal Television Society RTE For a new Generation, Dee Forbes Director General RTE

Welcome and Keynote: Dee Forbes, Director General, RTE

RTÉ for a new Generation – The Dan Gilbert Lecture presented by the Royal Television Society

The lecture will set out RTÉ's strategy for the next five years – the organisational changes, the technology investments and editorial and creative priorities for the years ahead.

Dee will take questions afterwards for 15-20 minutes.

The Cush

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/nativity-comedy-series-to-debut-online-in-a-first-for-rt%C3%A9-1.3293341

It is understood that a greater emphasis on the digital distribution of content is one element of RTɒs five-year strategy from 2018 to 2023, which it recently submitted to the Department of Communications.

Elmo

The Cush wrote: »

RTÉ DG Dee Forbes is the welcome and keynote speaker at this week's Belfast Media Festival, Theatre One - Day One 16th November 2017 12:45 - 14:00.

She gives the RTS Dan Gilbert Lecture which "will set out RTɒs strategy for the next five years – the organisational changes, the technology investments and editorial and creative priorities for the years ahead".

http://www.belfastmediafestival.co.uk/events/welcome/

Very light on actual changes

https://static.rasset.ie/documents/about/2017/11/belfast-media-festival-speech.pdf

The Cush

Elmo wrote: »

Very light on actual changes

Light on details indeed, but I guess the first paragraph explains that.

We have in past few weeks submitted our new five-year strategy to our regulator, so I cannot go into too much detail just now,

Elmo

The Cush wrote: »

Light on details indeed, but I guess the first paragraph explains that.

Why? Why exactly does this five year PSB have to be a secret before the BAI rubber stamp it?

The PSB statement really doesn't relate to content or production it largely talks about what RTÉ hope to achieve. No reason why the DG could say we plan to increase spending on Drama over the next 5 years, the wouldn't be mention in such a plan, because RTÉ know they couldn't make that commitment.

Elmo

RTÉ News Now to go, according to Sindo, while SBP is reporting that News after 7 is going to go from 2FM and also Oireachtas report.

icdg

News going after seven on 2FM will lead to the commercial stations looking for the same deal too. Could prove very difficult.

Oireachtas Report will not be allowed to go. There will be uproar from every politician in the country (which of course might be the exact response RTE is looking for....)

brick man

Elmo wrote:

RTÉ News Now to go, according to Sindo, while SBP is reporting that News after 7 is going to go from 2FM and also Oireachtas report.

I sent rte a query on November 7th regarding News now and amount of bulletins gone off it recently and am still waiting a response

galtee boy

Elmo wrote: »

RTÉ News Now to go, according to Sindo, while SBP is reporting that News after 7 is going to go from 2FM and also Oireachtas report.

So that will mean one less channel on Saorview, I always said it, Saorview is only for kitchen and bedroom TVs and a back up in case your pay tv goes down.

Elmo

So that will mean one less channel on Saorview, I always said it, Saorview is only for kitchen and bedroom TVs and a back up in case your pay tv goes down.

Not really any more I wonder how many people have a tv in their bedroom or kitchen nowadays with the arrival of Tablets and fast broadband.

Always said it would only really ever feature the 4 traditional channels

political analyst

Is there really nothing at all that can be done to encourage other broadcasters to be available on Saorview?

Sam Russell

galtee boy wrote: »

So that will mean one less channel on Saorview, I always said it, Saorview is only for kitchen and bedroom TVs and a back up in case your pay tv goes down.

I think that if NN is being removed from Saorview it is to increase the contribution from the non-RTE channels and reduce the contribution by RTE. RTE will save nearly €2 million by axing it and TV3 will have to make up the difference.

It would make sense for RTE to move all their channels onto Mux 1 and let the rest use Mux 2 (and pay for it). Currently RTE pay €8m of the €12 m cost of running Saorview, while a 50/50 split would save them €2m. The Virgin channels would change to HD at once as it would cost them no more to be HD rather than SD.

RTE have always wanted to move away from Ministeral supervision (micro-managing) so that they can do what they want on each channel - like RTE Plus, and more freedom as to schedule content.

They also want more licence fee, and a reduction in evasion, and a reduction in collection charges. [However, the same dept that is responsible for RTE is also responsible for the loss making An Post.]

I think it is RTE posturing.

political analyst

Sam Russell wrote: »

I think that if NN is being removed from Saorview it is to increase the contribution from the non-RTE channels and reduce the contribution by RTE. RTE will save nearly €2 million by axing it and TV3 will have to make up the difference.

It would make sense for RTE to move all their channels onto Mux 1 and let the rest use Mux 2 (and pay for it). Currently RTE pay €8m of the €12 m cost of running Saorview, while a 50/50 split would save them €2m. The Virgin channels would change to HD at once as it would cost them no more to be HD rather than SD.

RTE have always wanted to move away from Ministeral supervision (micro-managing) so that they can do what they want on each channel - like RTE Plus, and more freedom as to schedule content.

They also want more licence fee, and a reduction in evasion, and a reduction in collection charges. [However, the same dept that is responsible for RTE is also responsible for the loss making An Post.]

I think it is RTE posturing.

Why is the government, even today, hell-bent on micro-managing RTÉ? Sure, isn't it political suicide to be open to being accused of threatening journalists?

zeebre12

galtee boy wrote: »

So that will mean one less channel on Saorview, I always said it, Saorview is only for kitchen and bedroom TVs and a back up in case your pay tv goes down.

Why are there so little channels on Saorview? I'd hardly even call 3e/Be3 proper channels as they are wall to wall repeats. I know the UK is a much bigger market but when you look at the choice Freeview offers in terms of channels. Why would Discovery/A&E/Fox/CBS/Sony not launch a channel on Saorview like in the UK? Is Ireland as bad as other developed countries of similar population?

Sam Russell

zeebre12 wrote: »

Why are there so little channels on Saorview? I'd hardly even call 3e/Be3 proper channels as they are wall to wall repeats. I know the UK is a much bigger market but when you look at the choice Freeview offers in terms of channels. Why would Discovery/A&E/Fox/CBS/Sony not launch a channel on Saorview like in the UK? Is Ireland as bad as other developed countries of similar population?

It is all to do with transmission charges and TV3's refusal to pay a reasonable amount and to be in HD.

Simples.

The Cush

RTÉ has published its 5 year strategy document, RTÉ Strategy 2018 - 2022 Renewing RTÉ for the Next Generation.

http://www.rte.ie/strategy/
http://www.rte.ie/strategy/pdf/RTE-Strategy-2018-2022.pdf

Dee Forbes today briefed staff on RTÉ's new five-year strategy.

RTÉ submitted its strategy to the BAI and its consultants for review last October. Following the review, the BAI will then submit its report and recommendations to the Minister. Ministerial review and Government response on public service broadcasting funding due mid-year.

Rick_

I wonder if viewers in NI will ever get RTÉ ONE in HD on Sky as part of any strategy...

Elmo

It's not a strategy. I love to see some commitments made. Only one I could find was about RADIO 1 on LW.

political analyst

icdg wrote: »

News going after seven on 2FM will lead to the commercial stations looking for the same deal too. Could prove very difficult.

Oireachtas Report will not be allowed to go. There will be uproar from every politician in the country (which of course might be the exact response RTE is looking for....)

The following article was published on 13 February.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/plan-to-move-late-night-oireachtas-report-to-web-1.3391265

A long-running RTÉ programme on politics which former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte once said was watched only by “drunks and insomniacs” may soon come to an end.
Oireachtas Report is a half-hour programme that reports on highlights of that day’s sittings in the Dáil, Seanad and committee rooms. It is broadcast late at night, often after midnight.
Yesterday, senior RTÉ news executives disclosed to Dáil Deputies and Senators that the broadcasters reports on the Oireachtas might be migrating from TV to online.

Elmo

Can anyone defend this strategy, is it a strategy.

1. Only one commitment to close LW
2. No really commitment to increase production
3. Seems like commitment is made to retain current services/content based on increases of funding but no mention of how much of an increase, how much commercial growth and how many more staff would have to leave the company.
4. Drama and Children's is key but no commitment for increases in hours or funding
5. Audiences are key but it seems only as a statistic rather than engaging with them.
6. No alternative stragtegy where no new funding is given.

Bizzare mission statement IMO

brick man

Elmo wrote:

1. Only one commitment to close LW 2. No really commitment to increase production 3. Seems like commitment is made to retain current services/content based on increases of funding but no mention of how much of an increase, how much commercial growth and how many more staff would have to leave the company. 4. Drama and Children's is key but no commitment for increases in hours or funding 5. Audiences are key but it seems only as a statistic rather than engaging with them. 6. No alternative stragtegy where no new funding is given.

Seemingly it's only a summary of actual document as until it's gets government approval it won't be fully published which is expected April or May . I agree with you it's as vague as you could get