RTE want to double TV licence fee

Billy86 · 22-03-2017 1:28pm

LETHAL LADY wrote: »

Can you still buy the RTE guide?
That's a ridiculous waste of money if it's still being published.

did a Google search and unexpectedly, here's some depressing news you can thank your grandparents for.

http://www.rte.ie/mediasales/guide/
The RTÉ Guide is Ireland’s number one selling magazine...

If that means it's turning a profit then great, keep feckless thing around for as long as it continues to I suppose, but it really is a relic of the 1990s in terms of most people I know thinks of it.

emo72 · 22-03-2017 1:29pm

Fine Gael love privatising everything. Why not RTE?

jelutong · 22-03-2017 1:32pm

Must say I agree with Lt Dan 100% re TG4. Brilliant documentaries, Camino at tSaile for one and music, GAA etc. It's the only homegrown station worth watching. RTÉ should be rebranded as: DDT. Duffy,Darcy,Tubridy.

NIMAN · 22-03-2017 1:33pm

Sleepy wrote: »

Yeah, double away, see how many people start to risk 10 minutes in the joy instead of being shafted by RTE.

You might not be able to avoid it though, I heard her say this morning that Italy added it to their electricity bills to recoup the licence fee.

PropJoe10 · 22-03-2017 1:33pm

I'll swim bollock naked across the Atlantic before I pay 320 euro a year to RTE. No chance.

drugstore cowboy · 22-03-2017 1:33pm

Lt Dan wrote: »

So, what is the purpose of Ryle Nugent then if Rugby goes to TV3?

Fluffing BODS pillows at night.

MilesMorales1 · 22-03-2017 1:34pm

Are they gonna finally get rid of the Angelus and all then?

Lackey · 22-03-2017 1:35pm

Can the Fair City writers not include RTE in on 'The Plan' ? To raise some extra cash.

SEPT 23 1989 · 22-03-2017 1:38pm

I think they will increase it and let Revenue collect and there is nothing you can do about it

Amalgam · 22-03-2017 1:40pm

News and Nationwide, local Eco and Irish nature issues.

I love RTE Radio 1 in the evening, specialist programming, Maritime and Farming coverage.

The online ability to listen back, particularly radio, has exploded in the last few years. You don't necessarily have to listen live.

RTE has improved a lot in that regard.

Venom · 22-03-2017 1:43pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

I think they will increase it and let Revenue collect and there is nothing you can do about it

The protests that would follow will make the water charge protests look mild in comparison.

Jayop · 22-03-2017 1:43pm

filbert the fox wrote: »

Ok so now we have gotten to the crux of the matter.

Since time immemorial the threat of being caught without a TV Licence was emphasised whether it be "the TV detector van" or that moronic "...better way to blow €1000 than..."
there is a culture of evasion in this context.

The 265,000 tv consumers who won't pay for a paltry €3.075 a week (16% of Television owners) are directly responsible for this situation.

No Rte wasting money hand over fist whilst providing a shockingly bad service is what's responsible for this situation. I complete empathise with anyone who doesn't pay for something they don't use. But for the few gaa games in the summer that I'm not at or are not on one of the better stations like BBC or Sky sports I would never watch it.

It's daylight robbery.

skankkuvhima · 22-03-2017 1:44pm

Is there any reason I can't replace my TV with a monitor and an android box/vodafone TV and tell the tv license inspector to fuck off?

Jodotman · 22-03-2017 1:45pm

It's the same oul crap on it the whole time.

Never did and will pay for that crap.

Need a major wake up call. Should just broadcast the graham Norton show and some of the other decent english and American chat shows and be done with it.

Turbidy and D'Arcy are terrible.

jcon1913 · 22-03-2017 1:46pm

At the heart of why RTE is so ridiculous is the number of presenters / journalists / producers they have, probably all on 80,000-100,000 plus pensions.

I would guess there are about 100 of these people - the likes of Fergal Keane, who fair play to him broadcasts breathlessly from the scene of the latest - shock horror - meeting of the Fine Gael party. But really these people are surplus to requirements, so should all be let go.

That would re-set the tone in Donnybrook and put manners on the rest of the organisation.

Echoing many posters here, let all this talent enrich the likes of the BBC or Hollywood - we dont need half a dozen channels between TV and radio in this country of 4 million people.

NIMAN · 22-03-2017 1:47pm

Amalgam wrote: »

News and Nationwide, local Eco and Irish nature issues.

I love RTE Radio 1 in the evening, specialist programming, Maritime and Farming coverage.

The online ability to listen back, particularly radio, has exploded in the last few years. You don't necessarily have to listen live.

RTE has improved a lot in that regard.

I find the Player awful for TV.

80% of it is fair city, news and weather forecasts.

briany · 22-03-2017 1:47pm

I don't watch RTE on purpose outside of when Ireland are playing a football match. However, there may be many folks around the country, perhaps older, who do. So to say it should be gotten rid of entirely comes across as a blinkered view that disregards a bunch of ordinary people, just as RTE are attempting to disregard a bunch of ordinary people with this licence hike.

skankkuvhima · 22-03-2017 1:49pm

briany wrote: »

I don't watch RTE on purpose outside of when Ireland are playing a football match. However, there may be many folks around the country, perhaps older, who do. So to say it should be gotten rid of entirely comes across as a blinkered view that disregards a bunch of ordinary people, just as RTE are attempting to disregard a bunch of ordinary people with this licence hike.

Probably getting free tv licence already

Billy86 · 22-03-2017 1:49pm

Huh, just saw on the front page of the independent RTE to cut 300 staff. Assuming these are lower down the chain, good to see then happy to screw the consumer and the little guy at the same time rather than ask to old boys club to make a sacrifice or worry about running their business more efficiently.

learn_more · 22-03-2017 1:51pm

My calculator says that if I multiply how much I pay by 2 the answer is zero. Hurrah.

touts · 22-03-2017 1:58pm

Ah lads sure the economy is recovering and it's only a little charge so would you not pay extra for proper TV service. Sounds reasonable.

Except it comes on top of:

Ah lads sure the economy is recovering and it's only a little charge so would you not pay that little bit extra for proper water supply.

Ah lads sure the economy is recovering and it's only a little charge so would you not pay extra for a proper postal service.

Ah lads sure the economy is recovering and it's only a little charge so would you not pay extra for a proper bus service.

Ah lads sure the economy is recovering and it's only a little levy so would you not pay extra for a proper health insurance.

Ah lads sure the economy is recovering and it's only a little levy so would you not pay extra for a proper car insurance.

Ah lads sure the economy is recovering and it's only a little charge so would you not pay extra for a proper A&E

Ah lads sure the economy is recovering and it's only a little property tax so would you not pay extra for a proper local services.

Ah lads sure the economy is recovering and it's only a little charge so would you not pay extra for proper parking at the hospital.

And that's just the government owned "services" screwing us. The private sector don't even bother explaining it they just add on their bit extra. It's death by a thousand cuts.

22-03-2017 1:59pm

skankkuvhima wrote: »

Is there any reason I can't replace my TV with a monitor and an android box/vodafone TV and tell the tv license inspector to fuck off?

Indeed there is

"television set" means any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception ( whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction with it ) and any software or assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus.

skankkuvhima · 22-03-2017 2:00pm

Augeo wrote: »

Indeed there is

"television set" means any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception ( whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction with it ) and any software or assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus.

Monitor plus netflix then? A laptop isn't subject to the tv license as far as I know?

filbert the fox · 22-03-2017 2:02pm

Jayop wrote: »

No Rte wasting money hand over fist whilst providing a shockingly bad service is what's responsible for this situation. I complete empathise with anyone who doesn't pay for something they don't use. But for the few gaa games in the summer that I'm not at or are not on one of the better stations like BBC or Sky sports I would never watch it.

It's daylight robbery.

What you're saying is that you are prepared to break the law and let the rest of us pay for your (limited) enjoyment...... That's simply not fair.

22-03-2017 2:03pm

Billy86 wrote: »

Huh, just saw on the front page of the independent RTE to cut 300 staff. Assuming these are lower down the chain, good to see then happy to screw the consumer and the little guy at the same time rather than ask to old boys club to make a sacrifice or worry about running their business more efficiently.

Ah we cant have Ryan Tubbirdy, Ryle Nugent, Marian etc take a paycut...the poor souls

Flippyfloppy · 22-03-2017 2:04pm

Poxes, now that's infuriating

Your Face · 22-03-2017 2:05pm

The photo in the article was very tasteful.
Wonder how much that cost?

CoolHandBandit · 22-03-2017 2:06pm

If RTE is so good then why not let the licence fee go and make it subs only? I mean with all the wonderful content it shouldn't have any bother bringing people to them in their droves.

masculinist · 22-03-2017 2:06pm

I refuse to pay it at 160 euro. Everything in my house is viewed over the internet with no TV or TV tuner involved. I encourage all of you to follow suit. if you cant afford those fancy (TVs with no TV tuner) screens I suggest you go to a credit union and take out a loan to get top quality devices in your abode. If the yearly interest repayment is less than the annual 160 ripoff charge [easily done] then pat yourself on the back for being smart. You just funded new screens in your house for the foreseeable future without breaking any laws. Especially if that extortion charge goes up , you can do the right thing, be smug about it and also save money while upgrading your devices while still being cost neutral.

Cupra280 · 22-03-2017 2:06pm

Lt Dan wrote: »

Right everyone , a survey

1. Who still watches tv on a daily basis? Weekend?
2. Who watches RTE on a daily basis? Weekend? Christmas?
3. Who can say that the RTE radio Stations are their main radio stations (a lot I would imagine)
4. Who uses their website and RTE Player? How many times a week?
5. Who watched RTE's Olympic Coverage as their main source (I did in fairness, and Peter Collins was great)

Sports , which RTE TV and Radio DO a very good job on. But, if you were really stuck, there are several alternative ways that you can watch what they covered

1. I What tv on a daily basis. Usually Sky Atlantic or Fox or streaming on Netflix.
2. I watch RTE twice a week, the 9pm news on Monday, and Jazz Spies (Homeland) on RTE 2 on Tuesday. That is it.
3. I never listen to RTE radio. 10 years ago, it used to be on in an open-plan office I worked in, but the constant jingles drove me crazy. The one on the Derek Mooney show was awful and played roughly every 5 minutes. It reminded me of squeaky chalk on a blackboard.
4. Might visit RTE.ie about once a month for a big news story. Never used RTE Player. I did try to watch a 'water cooler' type programme once, but the constant adverts wore me down.
5. BBC was my main Olympic station, but then I only watch about 4 events.

Jayop · 22-03-2017 2:08pm

filbert the fox wrote: »

What you're saying is that you are prepared to break the law and let the rest of us pay for your (limited) enjoyment...... That's simply not fair.

No, I pay. I understand others refusing to pay for a service they don't use though.

skankkuvhima · 22-03-2017 2:10pm

Augeo wrote: »

Indeed there is

"television set" means any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception ( whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction with it ) and any software or assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus.

Is this correct or is it incorrect?

"You do not require a television licence to watch television on your computer or mobile phone. However, the computer must not be able to receive a signal distributed by conventional television broadcasting networks, for example, cable, satellite or aerial."

Hercule Poirot · 22-03-2017 2:13pm

Why would I pay double for repeats of Father Ted when I already have the boxsets?

On a more serious note though I have long believed that RTE is merely an extension of the government and that you rarely see them reporting on anything that may show the government (regardless of who is in power) in a negative light, and when they do they will never press too deeply for answers. You never see politicians being taken to task for any scandals that occur or even being held accountable for the state this country is in. It has become for me a club where they all glad handle each other and line their pockets at the same time.

The day Sharon Ni Bheolain went after Daire Hickey after the relocation of the Web Summit, and yet had never shown such aggression to the country's politicians, was the day I gave up on RTE completely.

Grayson · 22-03-2017 2:14pm

masculinist wrote: »

I refuse to pay it at 160 euro. Everything in my house is viewed over the internet with no TV or TV tuner involved. I encourage all of you to follow suit. if you cant afford those fancy (TVs with no TV tuner) screens I suggest you go to a credit union and take out a loan to get top quality devices in your abode. If the yearly interest repayment is less than the annual 160 ripoff charge [easily done] then pat yourself on the back for being smart. You just funded new screens in your house for the foreseeable future without breaking any laws. Especially if that extortion charge goes up , you can do the right thing, be smug about it and also save money while upgrading your devices while still being cost neutral.

Just wondering. It's all gone digital now hasn't it? Is there any analogue signal? If so, unless a TV has a freeview tuner built in it doesn't have a tuner anymore.

22-03-2017 2:14pm

Lt Dan wrote: »

Right everyone , a survey

1. Who still watches tv on a daily basis? Weekend?
2. Who watches RTE on a daily basis? Weekend? Christmas?
3. Who can say that the RTE radio Stations are their main radio stations (a lot I would imagine)
4. Who uses their website and RTE Player? How many times a week?
5. Who watched RTE's Olympic Coverage as their main source (I did in fairness, and Peter Collins was great)

Sports , which RTE TV and Radio DO a very good job on. But, if you were really stuck, there are several alternative ways that you can watch what they covered

1. Yes I watch tv every evening and a lot at weekends as I watch a lot of sport (on rte, sky, BT and any other channel showing sport).

2. I'd watch RTE everyday - News, nationwide, ear to the ground, fair city, room to improve etc then add in sport etc particularly during the summer with GAA and tournaments etc.

3. The only time I really listen to RTE radio is sport on radio 1.

4. I use the RTE news app as my main news source but I don't really use RTE player at all, I record the stuff I watch instead.

5. I did.

That all being said 160 euro is already too much imo never mind 320.

Zaph · 22-03-2017 2:14pm

Lt Dan wrote: »

So, what is the purpose of Ryle Nugent

Just fixed that for you.

Apart from Ireland soccer internationals there's nothing that I would ever make a point of tuning into RTE for. €160 a year is already p*sstake for the crap they churn out, why would I want to pay any more than that?

Elemonator · 22-03-2017 2:15pm

They double the TV licence fee and a case will be taken to Europe. Pretty sure its illegal to have such a fee seeing as they make so much revenue from advertising, although I am open to correction!

Shenshen · 22-03-2017 2:15pm

Lt Dan wrote: »

Right everyone , a survey

1. Who still watches tv on a daily basis? Weekend? - Yes, every day
2. Who watches RTE on a daily basis? Weekend? Christmas? - Never
3. Who can say that the RTE radio Stations are their main radio stations (a lot I would imagine) - Never
4. Who uses their website and RTE Player? How many times a week? - Didn't even know that existed. No interest
5. Who watched RTE's Olympic Coverage as their main source (I did in fairness, and Peter Collins was great) - Nope, no interest whatsoever

Sports , which RTE TV and Radio DO a very good job on. But, if you were really stuck, there are several alternative ways that you can watch what they covered

I don't listen to radio and I've no interest in sports. I haven't watched RTE in about 4 years now, but since we do own a telly we pay the license fee. I can't shake the feeling I'm owed a refund, though.

Grayson · 22-03-2017 2:16pm

skankkuvhima wrote: »

Is this correct or is it incorrect?

"You do not require a television licence to watch television on your computer or mobile phone. However, the computer must not be able to receive a signal distributed by conventional television broadcasting networks, for example, cable, satellite or aerial."

That would mean anything with a HDMI. So a computer monitor would count as a TV set. Anything with a HDMI input would count.

BorneTobyWilde · 22-03-2017 2:18pm

Fair City is fair shiitty
Late late is not great great, plus it's one night a week with summer off. Late show in States is every night all year round, geez value for money, what a joke.

jmayo · 22-03-2017 2:20pm

I would listen to Morning Ireland, Sports program on 2fm at 7pm, maybe Drivetime now and again.

I would watch RTE TV news for things like recent helicopter crash in Mayo or things like elections where national coverage is better than that offered by foreign stations.

I despise the slant they have given to issues such as migrant crisis where they are all following a party line slobbering over numbnuts like liam cunningham.

Their so called stars are shyte.
The fawning over each other is nauseating.

Gone are the days where you had true broadcasters such as Mike Murphy, Gay Byrne, etc and even then they could be a tad grating at times.

Oh and TG4 offers some of the best documentaries on TV.

Lt Dan wrote: »

So, what is the purpose of Ryle Nugent then if Rugby goes to TV3?

What is his purpose anyway.

RTE really slipped up not having the Ireland All Blacks game even live on radio.

Imagine a Michael Corcoran radio broadcast of that match instead of an insipid Royale Nugent.

bladespin · 22-03-2017 2:21pm

1. Who still watches tv on a daily basis? Weekend?
Practically never, our house has become almost completely streamed or Sky Plus'ed.
2. Who watches RTE on a daily basis? Weekend? Christmas?
Practically never, there's nothing there for any of us (family)
3. Who can say that the RTE radio Stations are their main radio stations (a lot I would imagine)
Don't listen to the radio, got peed off with bent coverage from RTE and Today FM so switched to audiobooks instead.
4. Who uses their website and RTE Player? How many times a week?
Never
5. Who watched RTE's Olympic Coverage as their main source (I did in fairness, and Peter Collins was great)
Not really bothered with their sports, I'm more into motorsport so it's satellite or stream for me and the boys like football so that's satellite too.

Honestly, this echos the An Post strategy of charging more because fewer and fewer are using snail-mail, bonkers, TV is dying a faster death than print media, I won't mourn RTE's lost as it's nothing more than a parasite IMO.

Lu Tze · 22-03-2017 2:21pm

Grayson wrote: »

That would mean anything with a HDMI. So a computer monitor would count as a TV set. Anything with a HDMI input would count.

Nope, its covering any computer with a satellite, terrestrial or cable tuner in it.

dev100 · 22-03-2017 2:23pm

Manach wrote:

But if we do not pay double or even triple the current fee the talented people in RTE will be poached by other broadcasters in the U.K. /sarc.

It's usually the up and coming stars that head off . The over paid crustys stay put .

Nekarsulm · 22-03-2017 2:23pm

Haven't paid for the last 6 years, can't see me starting....

skankkuvhima · 22-03-2017 2:24pm

Grayson wrote: »

That would mean anything with a HDMI. So a computer monitor would count as a TV set. Anything with a HDMI input would count.

Let's say you're right (I don't think you are btw). So a monitor without HDMI doesn't need a TV Licence (they do exist, I just checked)? Correct?

Permabear · 22-03-2017 2:24pm

This post has been deleted.

masculinist · 22-03-2017 2:25pm

Grayson wrote: »

That would mean anything with a HDMI. So a computer monitor would count as a TV set. Anything with a HDMI input would count.

No . Its not about the ports.. Its about the tuner .

Check these out. How could you not fund one of these by paying the 160 a year to the Credit union instead of the RTE fatcats ? 320 a year to the Credit union instead of to the RTE Fatcats you'd be suckin diesel

https://www.vizio.com/tuner-free

http://www.tvtechnology.com/news/0002/vizio-make-atsc-tunerfree-4ktvs/278312

PhuckHugh · 22-03-2017 2:26pm

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

Maybe ? They most certainly should start from there..

CoolHandBandit · 22-03-2017 2:26pm

Old people watch RTE and when the inevitable happens with age RTE are left without a pot to piddle in. The TV inspector called in to our new build house almost 9 year ago now and was told we don't have a TV. He hasn't been back since. It's a losing battle for Montrose as you can't force people to pay for something they don't watch.

RTE want to double TV licence fee

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