Dee Forbes banging the RTE TV licence drum again 60m uncollected fee *poll not working - pl ignore*

MrMusician18 wrote: »

I don't think anyone has accused RTE of right wing bias in the last 25 years, particularly on social issues.

I'm not particularly right wing, and and often the line RTE is pushing agrees with my own opinion, but that's not the problem, it the fact that RTE pushes a line at all. Taking Mary Wilson's interview on Friday: pertinent information to ask Kitty Holland was if either parent was working, another one would be to ask is there any personal responsibility when you decide to have 7 children at least some of which were born during the last 12 years whilst they were on the housing list? Is it fair that these people expect the state to accommodate them while every other working stiff is expected to pay through the nose for their mortgage and contribute to supporting them? She didn't even question the wisdom of them voluntarily vacating their small but existing rental before securing somewhere larger!?

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/11054978
Starts at 1hr 42.


The same thing happens on RTE when they're doing some piece on direct provision, how someone had been stuck in it for 7+ years. They always neglect to mention that the individual will have had their case heard within 18months of arrival, was considered bogus, and are now appealing.

I could go on...

Leaving out pertinent facts is manipulation. No two ways about it...

mary willson isn't going to waste her time asking the questions you have above because ultimately they are irrelevant and do not change the facts of the situation. the people in their grim situation are quite rightly not going to care about mortgage holders who made a choice to buy property.

Kivaro wrote: »

If RTE were more balanced e.g. give an impartial/unbiased representation of these stories, the television tax would be more palatable. But no, they want to ram the D4 liberal view down our throats. RTE reminds me of the liberal University professors in the social sciences who have zero experience of real life, but believe that the confines of the University campus cocoon is a microcosm of greater society. Totally detached from reality.

but they are balanced impartial and unbiased. as i said i understand they won't tell you what you want to hear all of the time or maybe even none of it, but their job is to report the facts and that is what they do.

The Late Late Show wrote: »

RTE's elite do not care about asylum seekers, travellers, those in temporary accommodation, etc. I completely understand that people end up in awful circumstances through no fault of their own but completely because of the cronyism of the likes of RTE who then ironically feel sorry for the very people they NEVER gave a chance to.

I completely abhor Gileadism, racism, misogyny, sectarianism, fascism, 'right wing' fanaticism, uncaringness, Nazism, the anti welfare state brigade, etc. and I completely believe we should be a caring society 100%. RTE 'pretend' to get behind this but are not genuine: all they want is discussion topics for their shows.

realistically is that any different to the rest of the media?

Elmo wrote: »

Do you notice how RTÉ didn't mention this spend? They blamed the 7.2million the spend on "special events", which they also did in 2016?

RTÉ have said that they have to cut in areas but in this area they haven't ever cut not really, not since 2003, the lowest amount they have spend was in 2014 when they went below 20m, in 2017 it was at the highest at 26m, while it fell slight back in 2018 to 25m.

We have to make cuts but not to one of the largest areas where we spend money. This is an important question. Surely this money is the cause of their losses not 7.2m on their "special events" which no one gives out about and based on their own figures they actually budgeted well for them.

it seems strange on the face of it, but it will come down to whether that spend actually does make a loss or not.

Elmo wrote: »

There is nothing gained by keeping them in RTÉ. RTÉ2 and 2FM could sink or swim. Again the budget for 2fm saw no decrease yet cuts given to other areas. Why has RTÉ insisted that 2fm should retain all of its budget when making a loss. Before 2012 2fm go no public funding, since then it has lost audiences and retained its budget?

but again if rte is to provide new services then it is going to have to keep the rte 2 transmitter to provide at least 1 of them and probably scrap rte 1+1 and jr to provide the others. so really as i said there is nothing to move to the commercial sector once you strip out what rte will need to provide the new services you propose.

Elmo wrote: »

Moving them to Commerical might introduce some competition into the sector. Largely TV in Ireland is a duopoly between RTÉ and Virgin Media, both complaint about opt-out advertising but fail to make changes to their own channels and content.

what competition would it introduce? there is plenty of competition within the tv market as a whole whatever about in ireland, and there is only a small amount of actual quality programming produced. ireland is a small tv market and saorview is able to take a number of stations if it wishes to do so, yet how many providers are queueing up to jump on? the last i heard none unless some have come forward recently. the reason why virgin media won't make changes to it's content is because it doesn't have to. it's a commercial business so is only going to provide what makes money. rte on the other hand is expected to be both commercial and public service at the same time, so are going to try and bring in as much commercial income as they can get. we may disagree with it being that way but until everyone complains enough to force the government to allow rte to focus on ps only then i can't see anything changing.

Elmo wrote: »

2XM in Dublin taking the place of Phantom/TXFM, and I assume that nationally that there is space at local levels. I wasn't suggesting replacing 2FM with 2XM or Gold.

yes but you aren't going to be able to fit all of those national services. rte 2xm, and the the BAI are proposing.

Elmo wrote: »

DoThe new commercial service would be given their broadcast licence to serve the above audiences, rather than a supposed public service news and current affairs provisions as given to other commercial operators.

even so, something like rte pulse is unlikely to be commercially viable. even 2xm is unlikely to be as it seems to be a lot brauder then tx/phantom. 8 radio could be licenced to go after the phantom/tx market. and 2xm could provide a much brauder offering as part of rte.

Elmo wrote: »

DoRTÉ2 is a basket case.

so it can be changed to provide the gold service you propose.

Elmo wrote: »

DoBTW I defend RTÉ for years on baords, but currently they aren't doing their job and there is no real change taking place under Dee Forbes.

that is not surprising. rte is in a position where it is expected to appeal to everyone when that is just not possible. rte is expected to be both commercial and public service at the same time. how can they make changes when in reality by the looks of it at least, they have little support from all sides?

end of the road wrote: »

it seems strange on the face of it, but it will come down to whether that spend actually does make a loss or not.

So you telling me the World Cup that was one of their most watch events were they were selling ads at a premium made a loss? And that Imported Programming that airs after mid-night, of which some don't take advertising and other less advertising and while some shows are unavailable on the Player which in turn only generates the kind of audience of a plus one service?

but again if rte is to provide new services then it is going to have to keep the rte 2 transmitter to provide at least 1 of them and probably scrap rte 1+1 and jr to provide the others. so really as i said there is nothing to move to the commercial sector once you strip out what rte will need to provide the new services you propose.

Yes, they should scrap RTÉ ONE +1, and replace it with RTÉ Gold. RTÉ News Now would merge with Oireachtas TV and provide some live sports.

As I said RTÉjr would merge with TG4 who would become the Public Service Media provider for Children's Content, Film and Irish Language on both Radio and TV. TG4 would have TG4, RTÉjr and the Irish Film Channel as separate channels. (Plus RnaG and RTÉjr Radio, Chill replace by Radio RiRa)

RTÉ2, 2FM etc would become a new service with almost all of RTÉ's imports going to the new service along with some sports like Champions League. National Sports would most likely have to stay with RTÉ and TG4.

what competition would it introduce? there is plenty of competition within the tv market as a whole whatever about in ireland, and there is only a small amount of actual quality programming produced. ireland is a small tv market and saorview is able to take a number of stations if it wishes to do so, yet how many providers are queueing up to jump on? the last i heard none unless some have come forward recently. the reason why virgin media won't make changes to it's content is because it doesn't have to. it's a commercial business so is only going to provide what makes money. rte on the other hand is expected to be both commercial and public service at the same time, so are going to try and bring in as much commercial income as they can get. we may disagree with it being that way but until everyone complains enough to force the government to allow rte to focus on ps only then i can't see anything changing.

TV market in Ireland in squashed by opt-out advertising, by introducing a new Irish Service you might being to see Irish TV grow a bit of an audience rather than 55% staying with English TV.

Why would foreign channels come in when they can just take ad revenue from Ireland via their English channels, while also getting money from cable and satellite companies for carriage? This is why RTÉ2 is strongly placed to take an independent position on Saorview.

I am not foolish enough to think that any Irish station could run a 24 hour station of just Irish programming. But more Irish content could be provided.

Virgin Media and RTÉ with an independent home competitor RTÉ2 would have a strong competitor and they would have to improve. Otherwise their market share will continue to decline.

yes but you aren't going to be able to fit all of those national services. rte 2xm, and the the BAI are proposing.

I am only suggesting 2XM, the FM services will remain the same, RTÉ2fm will have those extra digital stations. what are the BAI proposing, to do absolutely nothing as they have always done?

even so, something like rte pulse is unlikely to be commercially viable. even 2xm is unlikely to be as it seems to be a lot broader then tx/phantom. 8 radio could be licenced to go after the phantom/tx market. and 2xm could provide a much broader offering as part of rte.

Again I am suggesting that RTÉ2 (including digital station) would be limited by their contract, as to what they could provided 2XM, PULSE and 2FM would have to provide a certain level of public service broadcast in term of music and content rather than in terms of current affairs and news. TV wise it would have to provide programming to 8 -12 under TRTÉ.

so it can be changed to provide the gold service you propose.

RTÉ Gold radio would remain largely the same but RTÉ would have to have a number of programmes from the archives such as the Doc On 1 or a look back at radio from the past along with the currently line up. They would also have a sister TV channel which would replace RTÉ 1+1.

that is not surprising. rte is in a position where it is expected to appeal to everyone when that is just not possible. rte is expected to be both commercial and public service at the same time. how can they make changes when in reality by the looks of it at least, they have little support from all sides?

I still bring it down to the 24 million. Yes RTÉ have to be everything to everyone and they can't be that. But they have shown in the past that they want to do that.

Not everything will be new, not everything will be Irish but RTÉ should be able to provide some of the services that they are not providing.

They should be able to invest in High quality drama and Children's Content.

Any none of this will happen. so I don't know why I am arguing it.

At the end of the day RTÉ is not fit for purpose and they are unwilling to make cuts in certain areas where cuts should be made.

The Reform has be come from both RTÉ and the licence fee, as it currently stands.

Elmo wrote: »

I am not foolish enough to think that any Irish station could run a 24 hour station of just Irish programming. But more Irish content could be provided.

you don't need to sell rte 2 for that to happen. you simply need to reposition rte to focus on public service, minority and irish programming only. the likes of vergin media can be left to provide the imported "entertainment"

Elmo wrote: »

Virgin Media and RTÉ with an independent home competitor RTÉ2 would have a strong competitor and they would have to improve. Otherwise their market share will continue to decline.

you are again assuming the new rte 2 would be providing better programming, so much so that virgin media are going to up their offering. that is unlikely. it will likely be the same as what is already available.

Elmo wrote: »

I am only suggesting 2XM, the FM services will remain the same, RTÉ2fm will have those extra digital stations. what are the BAI proposing, to do absolutely nothing as they have always done?

the BAI are proposing to licence a national service as soon as the conditions allow for it. operators will have to apply once the competition is opened, if it ends up being so.

Elmo wrote: »

Again I am suggesting that RTÉ2 (including digital station) would be limited by their contract, as to what they could provided 2XM, PULSE and 2FM would have to provide a certain level of public service broadcast in term of music and content rather than in terms of current affairs and news. TV wise it would have to provide programming to 8 -12 under TRTÉ.

so why not just keep them within rte then.
i wouldn't be surprised if long term we see the public service element of commercial radio and tv being scrapped as the audience and revenue decline.

Elmo wrote: »

RTÉ Gold radio would remain largely the same but RTÉ would have to have a number of programmes from the archives such as the Doc On 1 or a look back at radio from the past along with the currently line up. They would also have a sister TV channel which would replace RTÉ 1+1.

that is fine.

Elmo wrote: »

I still bring it down to the 24 million. Yes RTÉ have to be everything to everyone and they can't be that. But they have shown in the past that they want to do that.

because in reality they probably don't have much of a choice.

Elmo wrote: »

Not everything will be new, not everything will be Irish but RTÉ should be able to provide some of the services that they are not providing.

They should be able to invest in High quality drama and Children's Content.

Any none of this will happen. so I don't know why I am arguing it.

At the end of the day RTÉ is not fit for purpose and they are unwilling to make cuts in certain areas where cuts should be made.

The Reform has be come from both RTÉ and the licence fee, as it currently stands.

they are able to invest in new services and on things like drama and children's programming rather then imports but it is a question of whether they would get the support to actually do it.

Elmo wrote: »

You seem to be willing to say that RTÉ are being truthful when they say that the special events caused their losses, but that the refuse to tackle either 2fm or Imported Content, in terms of spend.

perhapse the events did cause the losses. i don't know. perhapse some of their imported content either caused or are part of the losses, again i don't know. i do think however that rte would have some idea of what is causing their losses however. if it turns out they aren't being truthful, then by all means they should be called out on that.

Elmo wrote: »

I am assume that they would have to use their bought in content correctly.

i don't know how you use it correctly. either it has an audience or it doesn't surely?

Elmo wrote: »

RTÉ2 is languishing at RTÉ. It's filled with Repeats, has just about 6% of the audience with sport. (excluding the Soccer World Cup when it had 10%, but it made a loss during that tournament????)

tbh repeats are the way for many many tv channels unfortunately. just looking at all of the non-irish ones, nothing but repeats on many of them. so the solution is to focus the channel on other programming rather then giving it to the commercial sector to pump more of the same dross.

Elmo wrote: »

Why would it matter to the BAI when is the most appropriate time? a new commercial service is commercial if it fails it fails. Any IMO they pretty much rule it out.

ultimately it doesn't and shouldn't matter, but unfortunately the way everything is set up means that the BAI get to interfear beyond simply providing a licence. a proper market would have saw the likes of 4fm off the air years ago for example. that is how it should be.

Elmo wrote: »

Because RTÉ on the one had want nothing to do with RTÉ2, and are for some reason keeping 2fm afloat with by giving them licence fee funds for no reason.

so again refocus their programming remit.

Jaysus EOTR I must take a week off work soon just to read a few of your posts.

Edit.

Elmo is getting as bad.

end of the road wrote: »

perhapse the events did cause the losses. i don't know. perhapse some of their imported content either caused or are part of the losses, again i don't know. i do think however that rte would have some idea of what is causing their losses however. if it turns out they aren't being truthful, then by all means they should be called out on that.

I am calling them out on this. You can't just take one aspect of you business and blame it, particularly when it looks as if they generally did a good job and also seem to have budgeted quiet well for those events. You have to look at your organisation as a whole.

RTÉ since 2003 have ring fence imported programming, unlike any other form of content, Dee Forbes suggest she has to take a look at cuts across the board, yet RTÉ will possible pay 25million for imports this year and the next. They are not worth this for a variety of reasons, but also you have to make cuts.

i don't know how you use it correctly. either it has an audience or it doesn't surely?

Promote them (imported programming), air it in prime time locations, put it on them all on the Player and have the player work.

tbh repeats are the way for many many tv channels unfortunately. just looking at all of the non-irish ones, nothing but repeats on many of them. so the solution is to focus the channel on other programming rather then giving it to the commercial sector to pump more of the same dross..

Both the BBC and Channel 4 have to report how many repeats they have on BBC 1, 2 and Channel 4, they have certain commitments to meet on their main public service channels. AFAIR BBC1 only has 3% of repeats, BBC2 has 25% while Channel 4 has 9% repeats during prime time TV. This compares to 25% on RTÉ ONE (remove news and it gets to 50%) and RTÉ2 has 55% repeats, this is a crazy amount for the main service, extra channels are in their nature repeat channels. (During Prime time hours, look at BBC and Channel 4 Annual reports for reference).

ultimately it doesn't and shouldn't matter, but unfortunately the way everything is set up means that the BAI get to interfear beyond simply providing a licence. a proper market would have saw the likes of 4fm off the air years ago for example. that is how it should be.

Classic Hits But yes, suppose they had to change and the BAI let them, sin é.

so again refocus their programming remit

That's something RTÉ could do tomorrow, they choose not to and have let RTÉ2 languish and 2fm spend millions for very little return.

if they bought in less, you would have people complaining that they aren't doing enough to survive by trying to bring in programming of commercial value.

People don't see the vast majority of programmes that they buy in, RTÉ don't promote them and don't seem to have any real interest in them unless they are massive shows.

who supports the creation of jobs in the film and tv industry as it is? tv i believe isn't exactly the easiest industry to get into.

Children's Content is a key aspect of getting into the industry. RTÉ choose to cut its funding by 75%, when they said they would not be cutting funding to children's content, a hard industry to get into made even harder by decisions such as spending 25m on imported programming (that's nearly TG4's total budget for commissions!!!!).

yes but chill is within their remit. music that is not commercially viable but provides choice all be it to a small audience. ergo minority programming.

As is Radio RiRa.

or rte 2 and + 1 could provide some other rte service. if there is room for more commercial channels the commercial sector will set them up themselves.

Well then RTÉ need to improve RTÉ2, its that simple, alternatively move it away from RTÉ, you could have said the same thing when Channel 4 set up.

i believe tv3 did have the odd australian show. presumably other then what they did have, tv3, and now virgin media feel there is no audience hence they are going to put on what they believe is guaranteed to have an audience. they are a commercial business.

I am talking about during the period when TV3 did not have their ITV programmes.

Elmo wrote: »

I am calling them out on this. You can't just take one aspect of you business and blame it, particularly when it looks as if they generally did a good job and also seem to have budgeted quiet well for those events. You have to look at your organisation as a whole.

RTÉ since 2003 have ring fence imported programming, unlike any other form of content, Dee Forbes suggest she has to take a look at cuts across the board, yet RTÉ will possible pay 25million for imports this year and the next. They are not worth this for a variety of reasons, but also you have to make cuts.



Promote them (imported programming), air it in prime time locations, put it on them all on the Player and have the player work.



Both the BBC and Channel 4 have to report how many repeats they have on BBC 1, 2 and Channel 4, they have certain commitments to meet on their main public service channels. AFAIR BBC1 only has 3% of repeats, BBC2 has 25% while Channel 4 has 9% repeats during prime time TV. This compares to 25% on RTÉ ONE (remove news and it gets to 50%) and RTÉ2 has 55% repeats, this is a crazy amount for the main service, extra channels are in their nature repeat channels. (During Prime time hours, look at BBC and Channel 4 Annual reports for reference).



Classic Hits But yes, suppose they had to change and the BAI let them, sin é.



That's something RTÉ could do tomorrow, they choose not to and have let RTÉ2 languish and 2fm spend millions for very little return.



People don't see the vast majority of programmes that they buy in, RTÉ don't promote them and don't seem to have any real interest in them unless they are massive shows.



Children's Content is a key aspect of getting into the industry. RTÉ choose to cut its funding by 75%, when they said they would not be cutting funding to children's content, a hard industry to get into made even harder by decisions such as spending 25m on imported programming (that's nearly TG4's total budget for commissions!!!!).



As is Radio RiRa.



Well then RTÉ need to improve RTÉ2, its that simple, alternatively move it away from RTÉ, you could have said the same thing when Channel 4 set up.



I am talking about during the period when TV3 did not have their ITV programmes.

radio rira is not an rte owned and ran station though. what is unique about it is it speaks irish instead of english but it's music is played on plenty of other radio stations. essentially it's content is already covered but just not together in 1 station. chill would be more minority and within rte's remit. radio rira as a privately owned station is the responsibility of those behind it. if radio rira wish to be on more outlets then it is for them to make that decision and discuss with whoever to make it happen.
the channel 4 situation is not comparible to the situation with rte 2 as it was set up in different circumstances within a very different country with a large population. ireland is a tiny population where the commercial tv that does exist here is providing more or less what is already available on ITV etc.

Elmo wrote: »

I said it should merge with TG4 and RnaG. (It's funded by CNaG which in turn gets funding from Government).

or just leave it as it is . it can stand on it's own merrits separately yet compliment the other irish services.

Elmo wrote: »

Channel 4 situation is even more comparable for Ireland than it is for Britain.

As I said in Ireland we have 2 things happening, English Channels eating up revenue and a duopoly in Irish content providers.

Virgin Media does very little outside news and CA, and I can see them to continue to reduce their output as time goes on, even with the hit of love Island. Which means there are then only 2 Irish content providers.

by the sounds of it that is all that is viable given the size of our market and the ability to receive much of the same programming elsewhere.
if there is room for more commercial channels then they will no doubt launch.

Elmo wrote: »

By making RTÉ2 a commercial publisher/broadcaster they could give opportunities to different content producers, that otherwise get cut when RTÉ decide that should stop moving.

But tell me what RTÉ2 is currently doing well from a public service point of view or a commerical point of view for RTÉ?

could, but probably won't in reality. a commercial operator could probably launch their own channel to do this if they feel there is an audience.

Elmo wrote: »

But its not complimenting any of the other Irish Services not even RTÉ ONE

Tonight from 7. Will and Grace, Soccer Republic, Return of Gaint Killers, Film
Tueday from 7. TBBT, WWC 2019, Blue Bloods
Wed from 7. TBBT, The Great House Revival (RTÉ ONE repeat), MasterChef UK, No Offence, Safe Harbour
Thurs From 7, Neighbours, Wild Tales from the Village, Fr Ted (again), This Crowed House (Repeat), The Handmaids Tale, The Walking Dead
Friday From 7, Neighbours, Silk Road, Coast, Film
Sat from 7, Top Gear, Mayday, Marsupials, Hilter's Jurrasic Park, Film
Sun from 7, Bond, The Sunday Game

And that's an unusually good week!

presumably you are talking about rte2? i thought you wanted that to go to the commercial sector?
what channel exactly are you wanting to merge with tg4 and rnag?

95% of what is on all public broadcasters and paid broadcasters (including stream services - which will be furthered diluted in the next 18 months) is absolute meh.

The 5% one person thinks is decent, varies and comes down to personal taste.

€160 is probably the right price point for the fee. There is zero justification for an increase in that currently.

They get a lot right but they get the same amount wrong, axe needs to be taken to it, starting with a serious rethink of their sports offerings.

CJhaughey wrote: »

4166 people have to pay for their license just so Ryan Tubridy can have the salary he enjoys.

Ahh would you stop!! That's nonsense! You think Ryan Tubridy's salary comes from your TV licence fee? Really?? To advertise on the Late Late show cost €10k- €15k PER MINUTE! Day time Radio1 - upto €4000 per minute. The likes of Darcy, Tubridy, Duffy get nothing from the TV licence.

Scotty # wrote: »

Ahh would you stop!! That's nonsense! You think Ryan Tubridy's salary comes from your TV licence fee? Really?? To advertise on the Late Late show cost €10k- €15k PER MINUTE! Day time Radio1 - upto €4000 per minute. The likes of Darcy, Tubridy, Duffy get nothing from the TV licence.

There also supposed to support the rest of RTÉ. It's not just about the amount raised on their shows alone but how much that investment can be redistributed.

I'd say RTÉ lost money with the move or Ray D'Arcy. They took that risk and lost an audience on TV, worth much more than his radio show.

Regardless End Of The Road, changes need to be made. And I don't see RTÉ making any changes internal to help themselves.

They have massive opportunities to provide an alternative and a mainstream.

The idea that you could consider that Imported Programming is worth 25million in this day and age is mystifying. And to consider not cutting that budget is even more mystifying.

RTÉ since 2009 has largely retained its budget, yes since 2008 its drops 23% but that is in the past.

Reasons for this include:-

1. The Down turn
2. Loss of audience

Even when you consider there loss of audiences in 2018 commercial income was only down 1%. And much of that loss was because they lost audience in TV down 6% I think, but you'd have to work out 2 factors.

1. Movement to onDemand
2. Loss of an audience to other channels RTÉ2 has nothing of not expect sport, when you have a 6% share for most of the year, that's where you have made losses not when you get 10% during the WC2018.

Elmo wrote: »

Just to put in context, tubs, Duffy and darcy would both get into the BBC's list:-

Ryan Tubridy 495
Steve Wright: £465,000 - £469,999
Ray D'Arcy 450
Alan Shearer: £440,000 - £444,999
Joe Duffy 390
Andrew Marr: £390,000 - £394,999
Zoe Ball: £370,000 - £374,999
Claudia Winkleman: £370,000 - £374,999
Vanessa Feltz: £355,000 - £359,999
Jason Mohammad: £355,000 - £359,999
Marian Finucane 301
Miriam O'Callaghan 301
Sean O'Rourke 299
Claire Byrne 300

https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2019/0702/1059689-bbc-annual-report/

I know exchange rate but still.

Shearer, near half a million pounds?

Fúcking Hell!

Elmo wrote: »

I know they could have got D'Arcy for that!

As bad as Ray is, you have made him look a bargain compared to Shearer.

MrMusician18 wrote: »

The Twink documentary they're airing in a week or so will I'm sure be quality. Unmissable

So Twink gets a dig out, so to speak!

Boggles wrote: »

As bad as Ray is, you have made him look a bargain compared to Shearer.

Sorry that figure is for a minute on the air

The Twink documentary they're airing in a week or so will I'm sure be quality. Unmissable

Also they only paid for broadcast rights for The Lonely Battle.... it was funded by NDR! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norddeutscher_Rundfunk Strangely doesn't look like it was part of RTÉ deal with ARTE, which is supported by NDR!

elperello wrote: »

Did you watch the Thomas Reid documentary?

And as you suggest I expect I will watch the Twink documentary.

Fascinating career in show business going back 50 years.

The Thomas Reid documentary was brilliant. Wasn't an RTE production though.

Sticking together Twink clips is more RTE's bag.

kneemos wrote: »

The Thomas Reid documentary was brilliant. Wasn't an RTE production though.

Sticking together Twink clips is more RTE's bag.

I never said it was.
RTE gave it an airing.

I'll suspend judgement on the Twink documentary until I see it.

Blinky Plebum wrote: »

Then if the money these stars can generate is so good we shouldn't need to pay money to prop up RTE they can use all this advertising revenue to keep the station going and we don't need to be forced to prop up RTE through the license fee.

RTE had a deficit of €13 million for 2018 which clearly means the big salaries the so called stars are getting paid are not really value for money.

Put a cap on salaries in RTE at £150K per annum (a great salary) and if it's not enough for Ray D'Arcy,Duffy,Tubridy and Co they can see will someone else pay them more.

I have no probem supporting RTE if it goes towards public service prgramming but if the so called stars aren't able to generate the revenue to get RTE to make a surplus in a year the they really aren't worth the money thay are being paid.I'd much prefer is we simpy had a purely public service broadcasting channel that the license fee supports showing news,documentaries,sport that wouldn't normally be covered and the likes of the LLS,D'Arcy Show etc go onto a commercial station which the public contributes nothing towards.

Capped salaries? This is the real world! Tubs is not going to work for the same money as say, Claire Byrne, despite taking in 10x, maybe 20x times her revenue. You think any of those presenters would work for €150K a year knowing the millions they generate? Joe Duffy has 400K daily listeners. That's over 10% of the adult population of this country. He's an advertising gold mine!

As I said earlier, the hosts on the big money are generating income for RTE, not costing it money. If they all left, taking their listeners and advertiser revenue with them, it would just cause an even bigger deficit. Suggesting a cut in their salaries as a way for RTE to save money is nonsensical. RTE needs them. That's why they're on the big bucks!