RTE looks to UK output to ease cash shortfall

DMC

Seems there is someone that might benefit from RTE's misfortunes of late.....

http://www.produxion.com/asp/nframe.asp?source=articleviewuser.asp&sid=7&aid=8697

RTE looks to UK output to ease cash shortfall

Sales of British programmes to the Republic of Ireland are set to receive a boost after Irish state broadcaster RTE announced it was radically scaling back the amount of home-grown programming it produces because of a crippling financial crisis, writes Leigh Holmwood

Executives at the broadcaster - which runs television channels RTE 1 and Network 2 - told Broadcast that acquired programmes would have to increase after 200 hours of local programming a year were cut from the schedules (around four hours a week).

The move comes after a double financial blow for the broadcaster, which relies on a mixture of advertising and a licence fee for its revenue. A drop in advertising following the 11 September terrorist attacks has been compounded by a disappointing licence fee settlement, in which the Irish government turned down its request for an increase of IR£50 from each licence fee payer.

'We are trying to minimise the impact,' said RTE director of communications Bride Rosney. 'We have to start being more and more creative and start to think laterally. Acquisitions are always going to be more economically viable.'

Several popular local shows have already been axed, including political satire Bull Island and comedian Jason Byrne's show. Late-night talk show Olivia O'Leary is also to be cut.

Broadcasters in Britain will be the main beneficiaries of the move for more foreign programming. RTE already screens a host of British made programmes such as soaps EastEnders, Crossroads and Doctors; dramas The Bill, Silent Witness and Monarch of the Glen; and sport shows such as The Premiership.

Oh great more R(utvbbc)tE.
RTE are you listening-this is a loyal viewer here, who sticks up for you through thick and thin....
I watch you for your home output mainly-I can get the Brittish stuff elsewhere and soon most will.
Why did you cancel the Excellent Bull island one of your best programmes???
Why have you spent so much money on the Dribble that is "on home Ground" with it's wooden acting, "iffy" plot and oh it's woefull!!!
There must be a suicide mentality developing down at Montrose??????
mm

ShaneOC

If RTE are silly enough to loose this programme, I expect that we will not have to wait for too long before we see something similar appearing on TV3.

DMC

Ok, but remember TV3's attempt at a sports quiz..........

Lennoxschips

Bull Island? Why didn't they just axe Nationwide instead?

Mossy Monk

good question that. they would never think of getting rid of the boring stuff they have