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

Slim Charles · 17-11-2018 10:08am

The thought of paying part of Nicky Byrnes wages, turns my stomach like the morning after 14 city centre Heinekens and a half eaten Hillbillies.

cursai · 17-11-2018 10:31am

That new show Taken Down is worth every penny. I hope they are paying the actors good wages. So they can get the **** away from tv and start new careers, in mining coal.

Bowlardo · 17-11-2018 12:04pm

“OVER 8,000 EXTRA households bought a TV licence in 2017. The latest figures show that the total TV Licence sales for 2017 were 1,027,596 – an increase of 8,427 from 2016.“
So about 164 million in Tv license fees and over 150 million in advertising.
So well over 300 million coming it.
How are they in trouble and how is the content so poor.

Top 10 RTE presenter salaries in 2015:

10. Darragh Moloney €188,803 (not in 2014 figures)

9. Bryan Dobson - €195,913 (€195,816 in 2014)

8. Nicky Byrne €200,583 (not in 2014 figures)

7. Claire Byrne €201,500 (not in 2014 figures)

6. Sean O'Rourke - €290,113 (€290,096 in 2014)

5. Marian Finucane - €295,000 (€295,000 in 2014)

4. Miriam O'Callaghan - €299,000 (€280,445 in 2014)

3. Joe Duffy - €389,988 (€416,893 in 2014)

2. Ray D'Arcy €400,000 (not in 2014 figures)

1. Ryan Tubridy €495,000 (€495,000 in 2014)

Atoms for Peace · 17-11-2018 12:49pm

Nice money for two days work a week, with the apparent 3 months holidays a year. Does Joe Duffy, or any of the other 'stars', actually present his show anymore as any time listen PBH seems to on it.

kneemos · 17-11-2018 1:03pm

What does Darragh Moloney do?

Also Bryan Dobson two hundred grand for reading a teleprompter. Surely that's a forty or fifty grand job at most.

ButtersSuki · 17-11-2018 1:07pm

Atoms for Peace wrote: »

Nice money for two days work a week, with the apparent 3 months holidays a year. Does Joe Duffy, or any of the other 'stars', actually present his show anymore as any time listen PBH seems to on it.

Philip Boucher Hayes used to say in descriptor in his Twitter Account that he was "the full-time host of Liveline", despite the taxpayer funding Joe Duffy's fees to the tune of over €400,000.....in 2014. Do you think those fees have gone down since then?

As I'm sure it's been mentioned previously but the bigger "stars" all have private companies to which these fees are paid to enable tax avoidance at place the tax rate at 12.5% after all allowable expenses, deductibles etc. No pesky PAYE for this top talent! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Because as we all know the BBC, NBC, ABC, CNN etc. are all queueing up to poach them........

ButtersSuki · 17-11-2018 1:09pm

RabbleRouser2k wrote: »

RTE cannot justify the license fee at the moment-whether it's their sports coverage (which is the bare bones of what it used to be-thanks Ryle Nugent, hope those car adverts help pay your bills). Or the exceedingly crazy amount of cookery shows (the 'Catherine Fulvio gets a holiday and cooks a meal for someone abroad' show, Donal Skehan 'can't cook but can make you ill' show, Rory 'brother of Darina' cooking show, Nevin's cooking show, and Cooking with Amy Huberman.... one of those is fake, but you couldn't tell-cos RTE).

And now we're getting more and more property shows-what the hell is it with property shows? Most folks cannot afford to not rent. Now there's 'find me a home', 'build my home', 'fix my home', 'help, my home is a dump!', 'watch as I do up this ancient home' and 'design and build my home'.
It's all cheap programming-disposable, not like you'll have people queuing up to buy the dvd boxset-barring Young Offenders, and that's not even an RTE production.

VM1 is hardly better (their obsession with Megan and Harry is trite and obnoxious at this point) but if RTE produced something like that, it would be about Vogue and the second husband (at the moment).
The thing is-I worry that Leo Varadkar, a guy with no backbone, will cave to RTE in order to enforce a bias at the station.

There's a sketch on last night's Callan's Kicks featuring Amy H that you mid find amusing. Available via podcast or on the RTE website.;)

Graniteville · 17-11-2018 1:11pm

Bowlardo wrote: »

“OVER 8,000 EXTRA households bought a TV licence in 2017. The latest figures show that the total TV Licence sales for 2017 were 1,027,596 – an increase of 8,427 from 2016.“
So about 164 million in Tv license fees and over 150 million in advertising.
So well over 300 million coming it.
How are they in trouble and how is the content so poor.

Top 10 RTE presenter salaries in 2015:

10. Darragh Moloney €188,803 (not in 2014 figures)

9. Bryan Dobson - €195,913 (€195,816 in 2014)

8. Nicky Byrne €200,583 (not in 2014 figures)

7. Claire Byrne €201,500 (not in 2014 figures)

6. Sean O'Rourke - €290,113 (€290,096 in 2014)

5. Marian Finucane - €295,000 (€295,000 in 2014)

4. Miriam O'Callaghan - €299,000 (€280,445 in 2014)

3. Joe Duffy - €389,988 (€416,893 in 2014)

2. Ray D'Arcy €400,000 (not in 2014 figures)

1. Ryan Tubridy €495,000 (€495,000 in 2014)

Have a look at the programmes all of those people present and loom at the advertising revenue around those programmes. The Late late Toy show brings in well over 500k in sponsorship and advertising and even taking the production budget out, it gives a net profit of over 200k for that three hour slot.

D'Arcy and Duffy are two is just can't listen to or watch, but there are hundreds of thousands that do and again advertising and sponsorship ensure a very decent profit.

Live sports, esp GAA (excl the big matches) are big loss making programmes, but are essential for the mix. Similarly documentaries and programmes such as primetime require funding, but are essential too.

Its funny how everyone that complains about the licence only ever bring up the programmes that make strong profits?

RabbleRouser2k · 17-11-2018 1:17pm

Graniteville wrote: »

Have a look at the programmes all of those people present and loom at the advertising revenue around those programmes. The Late late Toy show brings in well over 500k in sponsorship and advertising and even taking the production budget out, it gives a net profit of over 200k for that three hour slot.

D'Arcy and Duffy are two is just can't listen to or watch, but there are hundreds of thousands that do and again advertising and sponsorship ensure a very decent profit.

Live sports, esp GAA (excl the big matches) are big loss making programmes, but are essential for the mix. Similarly documentaries and programmes such as primetime require funding, but are essential too.

Its funny how everyone that complains about the licence only ever bring up the programmes that make strong profits?

If any of these programmes are making profits, as you claim-then why are RTE claiming they are losing money? Why seek an increase in the license fee? The maths isn't adding up.

kneemos · 17-11-2018 1:18pm

Graniteville wrote: »

Have a look at the programmes all of those people present and loom at the advertising revenue around those programmes. The Late late Toy show brings in well over 500k in sponsorship and advertising and even taking the production budget out, it gives a net profit of over 200k for that three hour slot.

D'Arcy and Duffy are two is just can't listen to or watch, but there are hundreds of thousands that do and again advertising and sponsorship ensure a very decent profit.

Live sports, esp GAA (excl the big matches) are big loss making programmes, but are essential for the mix. Similarly documentaries and programmes such as primetime require funding, but are essential too.

Its funny how everyone that complains about the licence only ever bring up the programmes that make strong profits?

As Darcy and Turbidy have proven anybody could present those shows and still bring in the punters.

Duffy has a special knack of extracting misery so maybe give him his worth if folk like it. He's not worth four hundred grand though,or even half of it.

ButtersSuki · 17-11-2018 1:26pm

Graniteville wrote: »

Have a look at the programmes all of those people present and loom at the advertising revenue around those programmes. The Late late Toy show brings in well over 500k in sponsorship and advertising and even taking the production budget out, it gives a net profit of over 200k for that three hour slot.

D'Arcy and Duffy are two is just can't listen to or watch, but there are hundreds of thousands that do and again advertising and sponsorship ensure a very decent profit.

Live sports, esp GAA (excl the big matches) are big loss making programmes, but are essential for the mix. Similarly documentaries and programmes such as primetime require funding, but are essential too.

Its funny how everyone that complains about the licence only ever bring up the programmes that make strong profits?

Do you listen to Liveline? You mustn't, because there are often weeks with NO paying adverts. The only ads on lots of shows are for one of the RTE Orchestras, whatever is coming up on D'Arcy, and topped off with another ad for some RTE sponsored event.

The show is frequently without a sponsor, more often than not has no paid advertising, and recently added its SEVENTH producer to the team, along with at least one declared researcher. Throw in the host's fees, the replacement cover costs when the main hosts is on his 12 weeks holidays and your costs are already way over €1m (est.). It doesn't ever cover it's costs!

There's a Joe Duffy Work Calculator that's been up and running for a number of years on Da Lahv Lahn Thread - have a look at it sometime. It makes for interesting reading. Likewise, there's occasionally and adwatch feature. Have a look caller......

kneemos · 17-11-2018 1:40pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Do you listen to Liveline? You mustn't, because there are often weeks with NO paying adverts. The only ads on lots of shows are for one of the RTE Orchestras, whatever is coming up on D'Arcy, and topped off with another ad for some RTE sponsored event.

The show is frequently without a sponsor, more often than not has no paid advertising, and recently added its SEVENTH producer to the team, along with at least one declared researcher. Throw in the host's fees, the replacement cover costs when the main hosts is on his 12 weeks holidays and your costs are already way over €1m (est.). It doesn't ever cover it's costs!

There's a Joe Duffy Work Calculator that's been up and running for a number of years on Da Lahv Lahn Thread - have a look at it sometime. It makes for interesting reading. Likewise, there's occasionally and adwatch feature. Have a look caller......

Pensioners probably aren't big spenders.

sligojoek · 17-11-2018 1:42pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Do you listen to Liveline? You mustn't, because there are often weeks with NO paying adverts. The only ads on lots of shows are for one of the RTE Orchestras, whatever is coming up on D'Arcy, and topped off with another ad for some RTE sponsored event.

The show is frequently without a sponsor, more often than not has no paid advertising, and recently added its SEVENTH producer to the team, along with at least one declared researcher. Throw in the host's fees, the replacement cover costs when the main hosts is on his 12 weeks holidays and your costs are already way over €1m (est.). It doesn't ever cover it's costs!

There's a Joe Duffy Work Calculator that's been up and running for a number of years on Da Lahv Lahn Thread - have a look at it sometime. It makes for interesting reading. Likewise, there's occasionally and adwatch feature. Have a look caller......

Looking forward to it returning.

KevRossi · 17-11-2018 1:43pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

There's a sketch on last night's Callan's Kicks featuring Amy H that you mid find amusing. Available via podcast or on the RTE website.;)

Yep. Absolute nail on the head stuff by Callan.

ButtersSuki · 17-11-2018 2:22pm

sligojoek wrote: »

Looking forward to it returning.

I’ve been here all year caller...it’s me furst break-een and dat!

Graniteville · 17-11-2018 2:45pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Do you listen to Liveline? You mustn't, because there are often weeks with NO paying adverts. The only ads on lots of shows are for one of the RTE Orchestras, whatever is coming up on D'Arcy, and topped off with another ad for some RTE sponsored event.

RTE are restricted to approx. 6 min of advertising per hour - both TV & radio. Promos for other programmes are not considered adverts.

But that 6 mins is charged at full whack between 1pm & 3pm where Lunchtime news and Joe Duffy are on.

Commercial radio & TV are permitted a maximum of 12 minutes per hour.

That why you see some US or UK one hour shows taking 55min on RTE.

sligojoek · 17-11-2018 2:50pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

sligojoek wrote: »

Looking forward to it returning.

I’ve been here all year caller...it’s me furst break-een and dat!

Is this your main holiday?

dirkmeister · 17-11-2018 2:52pm

It might be a good idea to spend some of the money on typing lessons for the people who look after rte.ie.

Every article seems to be littered with grammar and spelling mistakes.

It’s absolutey woeful.

If anyone wants to see just how bad it is, read the article about Mel B that’s there at the moment.

RabbleRouser2k · 17-11-2018 3:09pm

dirkmeister wrote: »

It might be a good idea to spend some of the money on typing lessons for the people who look after rte.ie.

Every article seems to be littered with grammar and spelling mistakes.

It’s absolutey woeful.

If anyone wants to see just how bad it is, read the article about Mel B that’s there at the moment.

You weren't lying. Bloody hell-there's more typos and grammatical errors than a Dailymail article.

Mel B had less than £800 when she left ex-husband
Updated / Saturday, 17 Nov 2018 12:25 0
Mel B: new autobiography, Brutally Honest, on the way
Mel B: new autobiography, Brutally Honest, on the way
Spice Girl Mel B reveals that she had less than £800 (€900) in a bank account when she left her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.

in the singer's new book, Brutally Honest - extracts from which are featuring in The Sun - the pop star, whose real name is whose real name is Melanie Brown writes about Eddie Murphy. The 57-year old actor is the father of her 11-year-old daughter Angel and she insists he was the love of her life and "a genuinely decent man".

Mel B's account will be published by Hardie Grant on November 27. The book will explore the split from her second husband, the film producer Belafonte, whom the singer and X- Factor judge married in 2007.

Mel B pictured with ex-husband Stephen Belafonte
"In the past 20-something years of my life, I have made more than £80 million, " she discloses. "When I met my second husband (Stephen), I had a house and a loft apartment in LA and a good career. When I left him I walked away with 936 dollars (£729) in a bank."

Mel B divorced Belafonte in August. The publicity for her new book describes it as a "tell-all memoir from the loudest, proudest Spice Girl – and the truth behind the headlines.

"As one-fifth of the iconic Spice Girls and judge on X Factor and America's Got Talent, Melanie Brown, a.k.a Scary Spice, has been an international star since her twenties. Brutally Honest is an exposé of the struggles and acute pain that lay behind the glamour and success.

"With deep personal insight, remarkable frankness and trademark Yorkshire humour, the book removes the mask of fame and reveals the true story behind the Spice Girls, as well as the horror of her most recent marriage and her 10 year struggle to be free."

sdanseo · 17-11-2018 3:25pm

I wouldn't get caught up in the individual presenter's salaries. Yeah, so 10 of them earn silly money.

It's what they're doing with the other €335m or so (€186m being licence fees) that concerns me.

RabbleRouser2k · 17-11-2018 3:40pm

KevRossi wrote: »

Yep. Absolute nail on the head stuff by Callan.

Listening to it now...brilliant. Wonder if her show lost the same amount of viewers as previous 'talent' RTE scooped?

Bowlardo · 17-11-2018 3:46pm

Graniteville wrote: »

Its funny how everyone that complains about the licence only ever bring up the programmes that make strong profits?

I just highlighted the incoming and the big earners and asked how we’re the losing money?
How are they losing money?

AbusesToilets · 17-11-2018 3:56pm

SO question to the knowledgeable folks, why bother with having a license at all? Surely the easier option would be to add a specific tax to tellys sold in the state? Perhaps to other electronics too, to spread out the burden and not increase prices too dramatically.

tayto lover · 17-11-2018 3:59pm

RTE is rubbish and a "jobs for the boys" organisation.
Not worth the licence fee.

Atlantic Dawn · 17-11-2018 4:01pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

SO question to the knowledgeable folks, why bother with having a license at all? Surely the easier option would be to add a specific tax to tellys sold in the state? Perhaps to other electronics too, to spread out the burden and not increase prices too dramatically.

Lifespan of a tv would be at least 5 years so you would need to add an extra €800 tax on the price of each tv at least to cover the current licence fee. People would start smuggling TV's.

What irritates me most is you pay the licence yet are subjected to not only adverts on every 15 minutes but almost every single show is sponsored and in addition has premium rate text numbers to tout some prize that they must make €50k plus on each prime time show from the €2 a go texts coming in.

kneemos · 17-11-2018 4:01pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

SO question to the knowledgeable folks, why bother with having a license at all? Surely the easier option would be to add a specific tax to tellys sold in the state? Perhaps to other electronics too, to spread out the burden and not increase prices too dramatically.

How do you know how long the telly will last?

AbusesToilets · 17-11-2018 4:07pm

kneemos wrote: »

How do you know how long the telly will last?

You could presumably make up the shortfall in other areas of taxation. As I mentioned, perhaps a general electronics tax, or some other area. I've no great love for giving out extra cash to the government, especially when the product is fairly **** in return, but if the voluntary process isn't successful, then they should look to other methods.

RabbleRouser2k · 17-11-2018 4:15pm

kneemos wrote: »

How do you know how long the telly will last?

It's reasonably accurate if its a plasma tv-they do burn out over time.

But televisions are less so. Have tv's that are about ten years old. And the TV my mom has is 24 years old-and still in working order.
Taxing tv's is possible, but it would be pointless.

kneemos · 17-11-2018 4:22pm

RabbleRouser2k wrote: »

It's reasonably accurate if its a plasma tv-they do burn out over time.

But televisions are less so. Have tv's that are about ten years old. And the TV my mom has is 24 years old-and still in working order.
Taxing tv's is possible, but it would be pointless.

There are much easier ways to create a direct tax of that was their want.

A VAT increase on Telly's,phones and laptops for example.

RabbleRouser2k · 17-11-2018 4:25pm

kneemos wrote: »

There are much easier ways to create a direct tax of that was their want.

A VAT increase on Telly's,phones and laptops for example.

Was considered, then ruled out-children have laptops, phones and tvs too. You can't tax children.

kneemos · 17-11-2018 4:29pm

RabbleRouser2k wrote: »

Was considered, then ruled out-children have laptops, phones and tvs too. You can't tax children.

They already pay VAT.

sdanseo · 17-11-2018 4:33pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

SO question to the knowledgeable folks, why bother with having a license at all? Surely the easier option would be to add a specific tax to tellys sold in the state? Perhaps to other electronics too, to spread out the burden and not increase prices too dramatically.

AbusesToilets wrote: »

You could presumably make up the shortfall in other areas of taxation.

Why should taxation pay for public broadcasting at all if it's not fir for purpose?

The only real argument for it is for keeping the news and current affairs elements unbiased and of decent quality. But as has been discussed, they are questionable at best in terms of bias, and of distinctly low quality.

We certainly don't want a US-style media, that would be even less desirable than seeing the license fee go up. But at the same time, we shouldn't be sinking hundreds of millions into a machine which delivers very little value for money. That money is better spent on other things. Perhaps a compromise with a new agency or broadcaster dedicated to truly impartial news and send all the cretins in Donnybrook off to pasture.

AbusesToilets · 17-11-2018 4:50pm

sdanseo wrote: »

Why should taxation pay for public broadcasting at all if it's not fir for purpose?

The only real argument for it is for keeping the news and current affairs elements unbiased and of decent quality. But as has been discussed, they are questionable at best in terms of bias, and of distinctly low quality.

We certainly don't want a US-style media, that would be even less desirable than seeing the license fee go up. But at the same time, we shouldn't be sinking hundreds of millions into a machine which delivers very little value for money. That money is better spent on other things. Perhaps a compromise with a new agency or broadcaster dedicated to truly impartial news and send all the cretins in Donnybrook off to pasture.

A reorganistion could be in order. Have RTE focus on news, journalism etc. Do away with the entertainment aspect altogether.

ButtersSuki · 17-11-2018 5:19pm

Graniteville wrote: »

RTE are restricted to approx. 6 min of advertising per hour - both TV & radio. Promos for other programmes are not considered adverts.

But that 6 mins is charged at full whack between 1pm & 3pm where Lunchtime news and Joe Duffy are on.

Commercial radio & TV are permitted a maximum of 12 minutes per hour.

That why you see some US or UK one hour shows taking 55min on RTE.

For the purposes of clarity, I never said anything about promos v adverts. You'd surely conceded that the average punter wouldn't know the difference between the two and once they're in an ad break they'd consider them ads?

Re. your comment in bold: Charged at full whack? Not at all, not even close, ever. There's a rate card -
https://mediasales.rte.ie/wp-content/uploads/RTE.1649.RATE-CARD-UPDATES.pdf
- on Liveline it goes from €1,042 to €2,061 per ad slot depending on the time of year - but nobody pays the rate card rate. It's always discounted as it's sold in packages to Ad Agencies or by RTE themselves. No-one buys one ad, they buy campaigns.

Obviously I don't have time to audit the entire year's show for ads and as I don't know the exact amount paid for each slot but RTÉ absolutely do. Given the paucity of PAID ADVERTISING on the show I'd be willing to bet a considerable amount of money that given the show's staff costs and noverheads (and this is before you include the costs of the junket fest that is Funny Friday or the various OB's that the show does) it doesn't break even.

Billy86 · 17-11-2018 5:37pm

kneemos wrote: »

What does Darragh Moloney do?

Also Bryan Dobson two hundred grand for reading a teleprompter. Surely that's a forty or fifty grand job at most.

He took over from "ah no Bill!" O'Herlihy presenting sports, mainly soccer. He's nit great but now awful, quite inoffensive though also quite bland. I wouldn't put the shortcomings of sports coverage on him, more on their dated model and lack of direction post dunphy (who had become a complete joke), but Moloney also doesn't have the strength to be the one to lift it so I can't say his salary is justified.

He's no on the Finucane/Duffy end of the scale though, I guess is my point.

Graniteville · 17-11-2018 5:42pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

As I'm sure it's been mentioned previously but the bigger "stars" all have private companies to which these fees are paid to enable tax avoidance at place the tax rate at 12.5% after all allowable expenses, deductibles etc. No pesky PAYE for this top talent! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Because as we all know the BBC, NBC, ABC, CNN etc. are all queueing up to poach them........

Quite obvious you have no clue about taxation.

Graniteville · 17-11-2018 5:55pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

For the purposes of clarity, I never said anything about promos v adverts. You'd surely conceded that the average punter wouldn't know the difference between the two and once they're in an ad break they'd consider them ads?

Re. your comment in bold: Charged at full whack? Not at all, not even close, ever. There's a rate card -
https://mediasales.rte.ie/wp-content/uploads/RTE.1649.RATE-CARD-UPDATES.pdf
- on Liveline it goes from €1,042 to €2,061 per ad slot depending on the time of year - but nobody pays the rate card rate. It's always discounted as it's sold in packages to Ad Agencies or by RTE themselves. No-one buys one ad, they buy campaigns.

Obviously I don't have time to audit the entire year's show for ads and as I don't know the exact amount paid for each slot but RTÉ absolutely do. Given the paucity of PAID ADVERTISING on the show I'd be willing to bet a considerable amount of money that given the show's staff costs and noverheads (and this is before you include the costs of the junket fest that is Funny Friday or the various OB's that the show does) it doesn't break even.

Most adverts on liveline are premium placements. Probably not at full rate card, but not discounted much

Estimated advert income for his radio show is in excess of €2.5m

There's a decent profit in that.

ButtersSuki · 17-11-2018 6:04pm

Graniteville wrote: »

Most adverts on liveline are premium placements. Probably not at full rate card, but not discounted much

Estimated advert income for his radio show is in excess of €2.5m

There's a decent profit in that.

Have you a source for that?

I’ll ignore your comment on my lack of knowledge on taxation.

Brendan Bendar · 17-11-2018 6:10pm

Graniteville wrote: »

Most adverts on liveline are premium placements. Probably not at full rate card, but not discounted much

Estimated advert income for his radio show is in excess of €2.5m

There's a decent profit in that.

Per hour?

Per show?

Per week?

Per month?

Per annum?

:rolleyes:

The J Stands for Jay · 17-11-2018 6:44pm

Graniteville wrote: »

Have a look at the programmes all of those people present and loom at the advertising revenue around those programmes. The Late late Toy show brings in well over 500k in sponsorship and advertising and even taking the production budget out, it gives a net profit of over 200k for that three hour slot.?

Yeah, but no one cares who presents the toy show. A rag on a stick could present it and still get the sponsors and ads in, and it'd be far more profitable.

Brendan Bendar · 17-11-2018 7:32pm

Graniteville wrote: »

Have a look at the programmes all of those people present and loom at the advertising revenue around those programmes. The Late late Toy show brings in well over 500k in sponsorship and advertising and even taking the production budget out, it gives a net profit of over 200k for that three hour slot.

D'Arcy and Duffy are two is just can't listen to or watch, but there are hundreds of thousands that do and again advertising and sponsorship ensure a very decent profit.

Live sports, esp GAA (excl the big matches) are big loss making programmes, but are essential for the mix. Similarly documentaries and programmes such as primetime require funding, but are essential too.

Its funny how everyone that complains about the licence only ever bring up the programmes that make strong profits?

That does not justify the obscene wages paid to those presenters.

For Jaysus sake!

Nicky Byrne on €200 k

Complete joke.

Signore Fancy Pants · 17-11-2018 7:47pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

That does not justify the obscene wages paid to those presenters.

For Jaysus sake!

Nicky Byrne on €200 k

Complete joke.

But its only €3,846 a week!

Bargain

kneemos · 17-11-2018 7:49pm

sdanseo wrote: »

I wouldn't get caught up in the individual presenter's salaries. Yeah, so 10 of them earn silly money.

It's what they're doing with the other €335m or so (€186m being licence fees) that concerns me.

The wages are a fart in the wind in fairness. The whole organisation is almost designed to be a money pit.

Graniteville · 17-11-2018 8:14pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

I’ll ignore your comment on my lack of knowledge on taxation.

Because you have no clue?

Ask an accountant - they'll tell you how ridiculous your comment is

TallGlass · 17-11-2018 9:04pm

Always found it amazing they never release the salary's for the actors in Fair City, however with one seemingly living in California and commuting over to Dublin for the soap. I guess we can assume it's in the 4k a week range.

kneemos · 17-11-2018 9:10pm

TallGlass wrote: »

Always found it amazing they never release the salary's for the actors in Fair City, however with one seemingly living in California and commuting over to Dublin for the soap. I guess we can assume it's in the 4k a week range.

It's probably an independent production.

TallGlass · 17-11-2018 9:17pm

kneemos wrote: »

It's probably an independent production.

I think it says produced by RTE at the end of it. There is some loophole they use anyway. Hardly independent if it's facilities are on site and what are they trying to hide anyway?

I don't think it's right either that RTE facilitate tax dodging with employees by using there companies so they don't pay tax via PAYE like the rest of us.

A contractor is someone who comes in for 6/8 months, not 10+ years that an employee of the company.

kneemos · 17-11-2018 9:24pm

TallGlass wrote: »

I think it says produced by RTE at the end of it. There is some loophole they use anyway. Hardly independent if it's facilities are on site and what are they trying to hide anyway?

I don't think it's right either that RTE facilitate tax dodging with employees by using there companies so they don't pay tax via PAYE like the rest of us.

A contractor is someone who comes in for 6/8 months, not 10+ years that an employee of the company.

It is actually produced by RTE. One of the few things they make.

TallGlass · 17-11-2018 9:25pm

Overall I like RTE to be honest, however I would rather see it radical overhauled or 'scrapped' in the sense that it's broken down and rebuilt. It's financial situation is ridiculous, so bad that each household with a TV is bailing it out to the tune of nearly 180€ a year.

I would actually say, the licence fee needs to be reduced gradually and RTE made more accountable for there actions and making themselves competitive. The fee will never be removed and I don't think it should be removed fully to keep it somewhat independent (in theory).

But in typical Ireland style any major corp that pheks up is given a bailout at the taxpayers expense.

TallGlass · 17-11-2018 9:27pm

kneemos wrote: »

It is actually produced by RTE. One of the few things they make.

Thought so, I think the loophole is the staff are contractors or something is it?

Is there an overall figure for the production cost of Fair City so we can gauge how much the actors may get.

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

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