Irish Times: TG4 to break from RTE as plans for ist independence are drafted

Elmo

From the Irish Times

TG4 is on the way to being granted independence from RTÉ, following the appointment of consultants to develop an implementation plan.

The Government appointed Deloitte and Touche to draw up the plan for the break-up yesterday. The firm, with solicitor William Fry, will assist the Department of Communications in the preparation of a plan for the establishment of TG4 as an independent statutory body.

Based in Baile na hAbhann in Galway, the Irish language station began broadcasting in October 1996 under the umbrella of RTÉ. It has a daily audience of around 100,000 people.

Under the Broadcasting Act 2001, the assets of TG4 can be transferred to a new public corporation independent of RTÉ, called Telefís na Gaeilge. Preparation of the plan is to start immediately and it will be presented to Government in the autumn.

Making the announcement, Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey said the Government is committed to supporting the development of Irish language broadcasting and to the establishment of TG4 as a separate statutory body.

"Less than nine years into its existence, TG4 is widely acknowledged as a success," he said. "It has won prestigious prizes and awards at national and international level."

A spokeswoman for RTÉ welcomed the announcement and said it would co-operate.

TG4 invests over €15 million annually in original programming from the independent sector. It also has won rights to broadcast live coverage of Wimbledon, the Tour de France, the Dáil debates and Euro Millions.

Digger

Quote"TG4 is on the way to being granted independence from RTÉ, following the appointment of consultants to develop an implementation plan."

I always got the impression that TG4 have been independent from RTE for many years. RTE have a commitment to make a few programmes a year for TG4 - and that's it. RTE have nothing to do with TG4 anymore. That's my reading of the situation, I could be wrong.

Ulsterman 1690

What about RnaG

icdg

Digger wrote:

Quote"TG4 is on the way to being granted independence from RTÉ, following the appointment of consultants to develop an implementation plan."

I always got the impression that TG4 have been independent from RTE for many years. RTE have a commitment to make a few programmes a year for TG4 - and that's it. RTE have nothing to do with TG4 anymore. That's my reading of the situation, I could be wrong.

That's the way TG4 (and indeed RTÉ) would have liked to present it. But its not true - TG4 have no legal existance outside of RTÉ. The assets are owned by a subsidary (Serbhisi Telefis na Gaelige Teoranta), but they are broadcasting under RTÉ's licence and are ultimately subject to the direction and control of the RTÉ Authority just like any other RTÉ station. The station is operated at arms lenght because it has always been planned to seperate it. The 2001 Act makes provision for this through the establishment of Telefis na Gaelige as a statutory authority in its own right. Strangely enough while there is talk of RTÉ becoming a limited company, the proposed structure for TG4 is the old public corporation structure with no shareholders as such, the board appointed by the minister. There was talk of them waiting for the forthcoming broadcasting legislation (if/when it comes) for the seperation now.


As for RnaG - well that if anything has become more integrated into RTÉ recently, with it gaining the now ubiquitous "RTÉ" prefix and its own website being absorbed into RTE.ie. RnaG isn't going anywhere soon.

Elmo

TG4 has its own representation outside RTE

It buys in programming rights separately, commissions programmes separately and buys in Sporting rights separately.

Problems will arrise with News and Current Affairs which is produced by RTE.

How does S4C work aren't they a separate to BBC and C4 yet the BBC provides News and C4 provides English Lanuage Programming?

Round Cable

Elmo wrote:

It buys in programming rights separately, commissions programmes separately and buys in Sporting rights separately.

I never knew they were that independant, it also explains why they didn't go widescreen alongside RTÉ.

Elmo

I never knew they were that independant, it also explains why they didn't go widescreen alongside RTÉ.

Are they not already in Widescreen?

I was watching my sisters Widescreen TV and both RTE ONE AND TWO went back to 16:4 (or 4:16???) yet both TV3 and TG4 remained in Widescreen.

Some explain that to me?

Mossy Monk

TV3 and TG4 are not broadcasting in widescreen
that is definate. RTÉ1 and RTÉ2 are the only terrestrial channels in the RoI broadcasting in widescreen on digital platforms (not sure about Chorus though)

on analogue RTÉ1 and 2 do change to 14:9 quite a bit

Telefís

So the day of reckoning for TG4 has finally arrived - what do people think will be the pros and cons of this move?

Elmo

As I said RTE will say the News output is a major factor.

I think if most of what they do is independent they might as well be free of RTE.

RTE really are only there to look over TG4 accounts. The running of TG4 takes place in Galway. I assume that the Ceannis of TG4 and his management Team decide where money goes. i.e. Drama, Sport etc.

Irishairwaves

True, hopefully irish tv will get even better now, although what will happen with the licence fee they get as they will be no longer state run?

Elmo

They will continue to get their Grant from the exchequer.
The part of the licence fee only really goes towards News And Current Affairs RTE estimate that cost to them at 6.5million euro.
TG4 will remain a semistate company but will become independent from RTE.

Telefís

Indeed as long-highlighted by RTÉ, that chunk of the licence fee going to TG4 equated exactly to the last licence fee increase RTÉ recieved before the recent major hike, resulting in the national brodcaster not having any real term increase in public revenues since about 1988.

icdg

The main effect will be that their board will now be appointed directly by the Minister for Communications (formally it will be a Cabinet decision however), rather than by the RTÉ Authority. At present the Ceanassai is appointed by the Authority, he/she (the post is retitled "Chief Executive" under the act) will be appointed by the board of TnaG.

RTÉ is obliged to continue to provide an hour of free programming to TG4 under the act.

47.—The Authority shall provide to Teilifís na Gaeilge programme material in the Irish language of such amounts and at such times as may be agreed between them, being such amounts and such times as, in their opinion, will result in the equivalent of one hour of such programme material being provided daily by the Authority to Teilifís na Gaeilge.

There is no problem with TG4 continuing with RTÉ as its news supplier and I would say this will remain the case.

On the subject of S4C, that is also run by an independent authority (Sienal Pedwar Cymru, or the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority). It commissions its programmes from BBC Wales, HTV Wales and the independent sector, and indeed its news is provided by BBC Wales (and branded "BBC") even though it is not a BBC channel.

Telefís

Would TG4 now pay RTÉ for its news services, like an ITN senario?

Elmo

Would TG4 now pay RTÉ for its news services, like an ITN senario?

No. RTE would still provide Nuacht TG4 free of charge. However I assume that TG4 will continue to pay for the use of the RTE network. I assume that Nuacht TG4 is part of that hour of TV. Plus Scannal, Leargas, 7LA and Ardan will also come under this Hour of TV. Worth an estimated 6.5million.

Telefís

Ah - plus RTÉ get to chuck Léargas on during Coronation Street, not a bad deal all considering

Elmo

Ah - plus RTÉ get to chuck Léargas on during Coronation Street, not a bad deal all considering

At least is something good to watch during the ITV soaps.

Really RTE need to start to do some kind of real competition during coro st :mad:

But I have to say Leargas is one of RTE's better shows.

Telefís

Agreed - well made and with interesting, often unconventional topics.

icdg

Elmo wrote:

No. RTE would still provide Nuacht TG4 free of charge. However I assume that TG4 will continue to pay for the use of the RTE network.

Most likely. Not so well known that RTE NL have a nice earner transmitting TV3 and Today FM... they have the only national radio and television transmitter network in the country, which is why Comreg is looking for seperated accounting for the subsidary.

Elmo

Most likely. Not so well known that RTE NL have a nice earner transmitting TV3 and Today FM... they have the only national radio and television transmitter network in the country, which is why Comreg is looking for seperated accounting for the subsidary.

I don't know if it would be a "nice little earner", they have to maintain they Network etc and they only have 3 other companies helping to pay for its maintainance. They only get about in total 4million from TG4, TV3 and Today FM.