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Moya Doherty and John McColgan arriving at RTÉ studios this week. Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

RTÉ board chair: 'People are downloading RTÉ content on their screens, they should pay for that'

RTÉ board chairperson Moya Doherty has also defended the station’s output.

THE CHAIRPERSON OF the RTÉ board Moya Doherty has defended the station’s output and says pressure must be put on the government to fix the failing licence fee collection system.

Doherty was speaking on the Marian Finucane Show on RTÉ Radio One this afternoon after the broadcaster’s cost-cutting plan was revealed on Wednesday

As part of the plan, RTÉ said that licence fee evasion rates in Ireland are among the highest in Europe and are “costing jobs”.

It’s estimated that if everyone with a TV paid their licence fee in 2018, RTÉ would have had an extra €32 million

“We have the most expensive collection fee system in Europe. Why? Why do we pay 12 million to have our license collected poorly,” Doherty said today. 

Why do we not have a better database? Why don’t government look and think ‘TV is now a large old screen on somebody’s wall? We need to look at other ways’. Because so many people now are downloading and taking RTÉ content on their screens, and they should pay for that.

“And actually, I feel very sorry for those who do pay and do stay within the law and pay their license fee and are allowed, by government and others, to have a vast swathe of people, to allow 25 million pounds a year bleed out under the door that could be used for content,” she added. 

Doherty said she doesn’t think people want to hear “the minutiae detail” about RTÉ’s finances but “want to know we can be nimble, efficient, use their money well to get the stories across and have a place in Irish life.” 

RTÉ’s director general Dee Forbes has said that a review of the TV licence structure which funds the national broadcaster is needed and that a device charge rather than a standard TV charge, was necessary

Asked by Finucane if politicians are likely to insists on the public paying more for RTÉ following the failed introduction of water charges, Doherty said the result of that should be an example for people. 

“Other countries in Europe have managed to fix their collection method, I don’t see why RTÉ should be the outlier here. And actually on the water charges, how extraordinary that twice in the last two weeks we have a boil water notice and we have buckets of rain falling from the sky,” she said. 

Doherty said part of the reason RTÉ has been put in this position is due to the obligations placed on it by Broadcasting Act 2009.

She also defended RTÉ’s programming, saying “it’s difficult to please everybody with content”. 

I think you can look back, even this week at the tribute show that was turned around for our great colleague Gay Byrne to the investigative programmes that Prime Time do. There’s so much good television, everybody’s taste is different Marian, but what we want to do and RTÉ should do is not compete commercially but be unique and have its own voice.

“Take that wonderful Nationwide programme going around the country,” she added.

“What other commercial organisation is going to deliver that programme? What other commercial organisation is going to ask the hard facts about housing, the medical system, who else is going to spend a lot of money on investigative programmes if the public service media isn’t given the support to do that?”

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207 Comments
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    Mute @at
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:13 PM

    An extra 32 million to pay presenters that are way out of their depth

    1518
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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @@at: or to keep the 200 back room and support staff, who get paid significantly less than the presenters, in a job

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    Mute Neil Neart
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:48 PM

    @@at:
    Everyone, especially a smart presenter, has the right to ask for the best possible price for their services. Employees and unions do this every day.
    Former DGs and managers negotiated the contracts and the Board of Directors signed off on them. They were the guys out of their depth.

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    Mute Sean
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:19 PM

    @Vocal Outrage: couldn’t the presenters just get paid less and they’d have the extra money needed to keep the back room staff in a job?

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    Mute talksense
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    Nov 10th 2019, 8:34 AM

    @Liam Armstrong: I’ve never seen Irish news, nationwide, ear to the ground, Francis Brennan, Ireland’s fittest family, late late show on sky. So it’s ok to pay €900 to sky on average and we shouldn’t pay RTÉ €160. I think you need to come out of the fog, I bet you were in the do not pay Irish water brigade also

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Nov 10th 2019, 9:57 AM

    @Liam Armstrong: Maybe the Journal should conduct a poll as to who watches Rte and then deside if they are worth all of this money. Personally I think they should fend for themselves. I would a big share of this fee to local radio who seem way ahead of what Rte is offering

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    Mute mike
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    Nov 10th 2019, 10:47 AM

    @@at: I download a lot of content, but it’s not RTÉ programs I’m downloading.

    I’m actually downloading TV & Movies , so I don’t have to suffer RTÉ.

    The only exceptions are, some of those “primetime investigates”.

    Cut RTÉ back to one channel, and one radio station.

    12
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    Mute Ted Logan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:18 PM

    So RTÉ are circling the wagons and blaming everyone except themselves for the state of their finances.
    The media paradigm has shifted in the last 20 years and they failed to keep pace. They are sowing what they reap. How do they think someone on minimum wage working 40+ hours a week just to keep a roof over their head and food on their table feels when they have to hand over their very hard earned €160 to people earning large 3 figure sums?
    To say they are out of touch is an understatement.
    Get rid of the licence fee and put RTÉ behind a paywall and see how far they get.

    1531
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    Mute Cynical
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:45 PM

    @Ted Logan: Their best strategy is to pivot and become similar to BBC or PBS, stop trying to do mass entertainment and focus on providing things people shouldn’t be paying for such as news, the arts and culture of Ireland.

    Let Sky, Virgin, Netflix and the rest provide the tv shows, movies and junk that people crave.

    396
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    Mute Todd Unctuous
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:47 PM

    @Ted Logan: in all fairness i wouldn’t call 3 figure sums…..large

    56
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    Mute Gerald OBrien
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:05 PM

    @Cynical: Best answer to RTEs problems I’ve heard yet. RTE doesn’t fund new drama anyways. The young offenders basically dragged itself into existence and RTE jumped on the bandwagon at the end. Any organisation with a few Bob can do that. When I hear them talking about stimulating new talent, makes me laugh.

    126
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    Mute Mirabelle Stonegate
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:09 PM

    @Cynical: BBC actually make some really decent shows.

    67
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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:15 PM

    @Ted Logan: €160 is a three figure sum also, and if that’s all I was getting paid in RTE I’d probably demand a rise too

    11
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    Mute Liz O'Neill
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:42 PM

    @Ted Logan: There are those on a minimum wage, and even on benefits that seem to have no problem forking out well over €160 a year on smartphones tablets, computers etc as well as all the various subscriptions such as Netflix and Spotify… And they’ll probably all be glued to their sets in a couple of weeks for the Toy Show yet claim that they never watch RTÉ.

    22
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    Mute David Garland
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:01 PM

    @Liz O’Neill: Here’s IPhone Joan on to tell us what to spend our money on., All the things you listed off there are things we can buy or sign up to if we see fit.. The licence fee is mandatory and we have to pay it regardless of the garbage they produce

    155
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    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:07 PM

    @Cynical: Have to agree. Licence fee could be smaller or, to make collecting it a lot less expensive, take it from property tax. Property tax wouldn’t have to rise much to cover it.

    16
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    Mute Eugene Conroy
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:12 PM

    @Liz O’Neill: glad you cleared that up

    13
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    Mute Tweeter
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:00 PM

    @Todd Unctuous: He meant 100k +

    10
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    Mute Al Fresco
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:34 PM

    @Ted Logan: would be better if they did the sowing first then the reaping.

    7
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    Mute Derek Lyster
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    Nov 9th 2019, 8:34 PM

    @Cynical: nail on the head there. PBS have done some amazing stuff. RTE could also do a holiday show or something similar that is only based on hoildays in Ireland. Try and think outside the box for a change instead of trying to compete with other channels.

    12
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    Mute Denis McClean
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    Nov 10th 2019, 1:15 AM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: Private property, as in home tax is both illegal and unconstitutional in this jurisdiction and it only exists because it hasn’t been properly challenged yet. Add a TV licence fee to it and both will die a very quick death.

    11
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    Mute Dnom
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    Nov 10th 2019, 7:44 AM

    @Gerald OBrien: Father Ted was the same. No luck here. So was done over there.

    8
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    Mute cars
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    Nov 10th 2019, 9:35 AM

    @Liz O’Neill: People can do whatever they like with their money. It’s their choice. Choice being the key word here.

    9
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    Mute Niall Dunne
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:26 AM

    @Liz O’Neill: but you see a phone is something you will use at least six times a day if not more. It can call people check the time message with people be used as a torch pay bills make a booking be used as a payment media find out information. Rte can only be used to raise blood pressure and find out what happened to Dermot Bannon in the last month since he was last interviewed a month before.
    I haven’t watched rte since I got the internet. When I sit in front of the TV I know what I want to watch and it does not consist of panellists asking each other what they think and flogging their new book I have 2day FM on the drive home for that

    7
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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:17 PM

    The RTE player is Terrible. It doesn’t work half the time, it repeatedly makes you start programs again after ever ad break. Get the digital stuff right before asking for more money.

    916
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    Mute Karl Alldritt
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:27 PM

    @Joe Bloggs: never used, never will. Same as practically everyone I know, RTE is just not on the radar for any reason.

    392
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    Mute Phil Quinn
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:28 PM

    @Joe Bloggs: absolutely woeful app. managable when used through sky go app which displays rte player content through its own superior platform. i dont pay a licence fee, cant stomach it with the top 10 salaries currently, a small % of overall spend but a symbol of how place is ran. used to pay it but feels like throwing money away.

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    Mute Verandah
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:28 PM

    @Joe Bloggs: exactly. I thought they would have sorted it with the last relaunch but not a chance! If you change to another app for 10 secs you have to watch another 2 mins of ads before it starts again. If they’re so concerned with being a public service broadcaster which the constantly bleat, then do the public a service for once!!

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    Mute Clíodhna Ní Mhurchú
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    Nov 11th 2019, 1:54 PM

    Thank you!! It is shocking. There are many programs I’d actually watch back on demand, but can’t seem to get past first ad break without having to start again. I’ve given up on it.

    1
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    Mute Marty from Sligo
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:16 PM

    I think RTE should not be asking the public to pay because they advertise simply as that.

    550
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    Mute Noreen Court
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:40 PM

    @Marty from Sligo: I fail to understamd why have we pay to watch ads.we are not imterested in

    343
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    Mute JimmyMc
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:09 PM

    @Marty from Sligo: make it available by subscription only. Then everybody who uses it would pay for it.

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    Mute Manbackonboard
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:11 PM

    @Noreen Court: Sky charge a fortune and also show a lot of ads and repeats.

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    Mute Da Vid
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Manbackonboard: Sky charge a fortune for producing quality content. People who want it, pay for it. If they don’t want to watch it, then they don’t pay. And they’re not threatened with a Court summons or Prison for doing so.

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:18 PM

    @Manbackonboard: Yes they do but you can choose not to buy it, you can’t with rte.

    90
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    Mute EvieXVI
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:36 PM

    @Manbackonboard: But no one is FORCED to pay for Sky!

    70
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    Mute talksense
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    Nov 10th 2019, 8:33 AM

    @Da Vid: I’ve never seen Irish news, nationwide, ear to the ground, Francis Brennan, Ireland’s fittest family, late late show on sky. So it’s ok to pay €900 to sky on average and we shouldn’t pay RTÉ €160. I think you need to come out of the fog, I bet you were in the do not pay Irish water brigade also

    1
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    Mute The Risen
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:19 PM

    If RTE are so confident about their business chops that they can dictate how much people should pay for their licence fees and then charge for additional content, then they should go fully commercial without a state subsidy. The BBC have no commercials and don’t charge for online content, and rightly can demand a licence fee as state broadcaster. RTE has the best of both funding models and can’t balance their books.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:50 PM

    @The Risen: Higher population to fund the bbc, they take in over a billion between the license fee,publishing and the programs they sell around the world like top gear etc. What’s rte income maybe around 100 million or less. They don’t cut their cloth to suit.

    62
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    Mute Shawn O'Ceallaghan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:05 PM

    @brendan H: then it’s needs to scale down its aspirations

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    Mute Wayne Kerr
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    Nov 10th 2019, 2:17 AM

    @brendan H: Yes but BBC has far better programming, is much larger than RTE (many many more salaries), their technology actually works and works at a larger scale and they make it work. Let’s call it as it is. That tool that presents the late late is on way too high a salary as with many others. The real reason they are struggling is because of OTE – nobody watches, nobody cares and we still pay an outrageous license fee. Would love to know what it the fees are elsewhere (not just across the pond).

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    Mute David Farrell
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:17 PM

    pure muc on Rte

    283
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    Mute Geraldine Fenton
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:40 PM

    @David Farrell: just after watching Ray Darcy it is no wonder people are switching

    48
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    Mute John Deed
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:53 PM

    @Geraldine Fenton: you should be paid to watch that s***e. They should pay the viewer. That s the only way u could put up with it i’d say.

    37
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    Mute Pavel Shipilov
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:29 PM

    How much does Mrs.Doherty get paid per year including all additional extra jobs she does?

    294
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    Mute Eugene Conroy
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    Nov 9th 2019, 8:39 PM

    @Pavel Shipilov: you should ask me flatly what she earns from his choreography

    13
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    Mute Rochelle
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:14 PM

    Some real toxic attitudes of entitlement within RTE revealing themselves this week, they genuinely seem to believe all of their problems are from the public rather than their own mismanagement through excessive salaries, they refuse to even consider that as a possibility. With every word they speak the public turns more and more against them as a result.

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    Mute Victor Feldman
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:11 PM

    @Rochelle: surely the elephant in the room is not just primarily cost cutting as if that was a cure for all rte cash problems.. But what about the quality. Of their presenters.. Just how truly talented are they… To what degree do they engage with their audience.. Just how indispisensible are they.. To what degree do they represent modern day Ireland in all its diverse peoples… Seems to me that rte has been living in its own cosy bubble.

    44
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    Mute Pauric McKenna
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:19 PM

    Utter whataboutery deflecting from the real issues at RTE. If they can’t face the truth, then cost cutting measures simply won’t save them.

    271
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    Mute Tommy Sea
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:44 PM

    Why do criminals walk freely around the place on suspended sentences while ordinarily decent folks sit in jail cells for not paying Ryan tubridys over inflated and down right insulting wages? The mind boggles.

    300
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    Mute view2views
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    Nov 10th 2019, 9:39 AM

    @Tommy Sea: In my view I think you nailed it!

    8
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    Mute Benny
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:16 PM

    He’s dead right, people should pay to download content – its called a subscription.

    239
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    Mute Mirabelle Stonegate
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:11 PM

    @Benny: Right… but what about those of us that don’t use any of this stuff? Should we be forced to pay this “subscription”, like the government are intending?

    If I watch something on RTE, it will be at my parents’ house, where there is a paid TV license. I never watch RTE in my own home, ever.

    151
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    Mute tottkingham
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:25 PM

    @Benny: You would be buying a subscription to watch adds cos nothing else works on the player which has one of the lowest scores on Google Play.

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    Mute John O'Brien
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:56 PM

    @tottkingham: Totally agree, you have to watch 4 ads before you can cast, then it fails to cast and brings you back to the ads. Worst ever player.

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    Mute Dorothy Roche Bermingham
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    Nov 9th 2019, 11:11 PM

    @tottkingham: absolutely agree. I have been away for the last 4 weeks & depending on Player to watch the news, prime time & Shhh (Fair City

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    Mute talksense
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    Nov 10th 2019, 8:42 AM

    @Mirabelle Stonegate: I hear that from a lad at work that he never watches rte but every once in a while he mentions rte programmes that he watched , I think everyone has a peek at them weekly and would just prefer to moan

    1
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    Mute Gavin Cronin
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:21 PM

    It’s difficult to please everybody with content…. Everyone’s taste is different”. Make it a subscription service and only pay for the content you want? Seems reasonable

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    Mute Arch Angel
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:42 PM

    @Gavin Cronin: Someone said during the week that RTÉ are so deluded as to believe the public love them, Moya Doherty certainly came across that way and presumed to want to tell Marian Finucane what the people really wanted to hear about the goings on in montrose. She promptly got a flea in her ear when Marian read out a text from a listener telling her made it clear that the public didn’t want to be told by Doherty, or RTÉ management what they didn’t want to hear about the goings on in RTÉ but would rather make up their own mind on the matter, thank you very much.
    If RTÉ are so concerned about people viewing their wares on other devices then why don’t they offer a fair subscription based model, just like those companies they’re comparing themselves to. If they were to do this there’s the likely possibility that they’d lose even more revenue, as a significant number of people would only bother to subscribe for a very small number of RTÉ broadcasts. They’d be reliant upon an ever decreasing core audience, and it might become tricky to nail down exactly who needs a licence and who views by a subscription, both would be viewing legally.
    Then Marian Finucane herself gave an example of trying to use the RTÉ Player recently only to find it didn’t work, although the adds played, Doherty conceded it wasn’t up to scratch and claimed it needed investment. Ahem… license fee hike…?

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    Mute alan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:56 PM

    @Arch Angel: this interview should be required listening. If you ever wondered why RTÉ has to go, then this interview explains all. In fairness to finucane, all the right questions were asked. Doherty’s answers highlighted what a lost cause the whole set up is. Appalling stuff.

    118
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    Mute Wolfgang Hanratty
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:37 PM

    Showing live coverage of former employees funerals. This wouldn’t go on in any other TV station on the planet. Would love to see RTÉ go under! Woeful broadcaster!

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    Mute Niall Bourke
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:45 PM

    Those two own Tyrone Productions. It is a privately owned company producing programmes for TV. They sell products to RTE. How can they both sit on the board of a company they sell to?

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    Mute Dorothy Roche Bermingham
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:50 PM

    @Niall Bourke: surely there is a conflict of interest here. Crazy situation.

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    Mute Brendan Devlin
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:53 PM

    What Moya didnt say is more revealing than what she did say. For a country of 6 million people is Ryan Tubridy & co worth their salaries. She didnt even address salaries including her own. If RTE stopped being the propaganda arm of the govt then people might have some faith in them. As for their sports coverage and broadcasting of games in the north, they may blame contract issues but why sign the contract then? Have they not a responsibility as a GAA sponsor to make sure all games they show are accessible to all.

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    Mute Ed Cooper
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:53 PM

    The App is dreadful, who ever designed it should not be getting paid. It is clunky and cumbersome.
    RTE should go back to basics, they cannot compete with digital platforms, they have missed the boat. They should concentrate providing good public service broadcasts on one tv station and one radio station. Ireland is too small to have RTE 1, RTE 2 and TG 4, combine all these stations into one good one and do the same with the Radio.

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    Mute john doe
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:18 PM

    @Ed Cooper: best suggestion here.
    Also they should stop paying big money for imported shows. Rte can’t compete commercially with the big uk channels so just do what they are good at. And keep the orchrestra.

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    Mute The only INFP in Ireland
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:37 PM

    Why don’t we do it properly and have a vote on it?

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    Mute Coco86
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:46 PM

    @The only INFP in Ireland: Because RTÉ wouldn’t like the outcome

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    Mute Barry Somers
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:44 PM

    The last RTE content I watched was the Greyhound investigation thing they did, prior to that I’ve not watched RTE content in years. I don’t even have a ariel capable of receiing their digital signal and I don’t have the app installed.

    if people that download RTE content should pay for it, what about people that have no intent on watching that same content.

    Shouldn’t we NOT pay for it?

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    Mute Gavin Conran
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:03 PM

    @Barry Somers: Exactly what i was thinking when i read that.

    23
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    Mute Brian McDonnell
    Favourite Brian McDonnell
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:21 PM

    RTE is the company equivalent of being so obese the fat cats can no longer get out of bed. Now that it has been told to go on a diet, it is trying to make its granny feel sorry for them by asking for more chocolate to stuff its face with as some sort of God given right.

    113
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    Mute Stu Teehan
    Favourite Stu Teehan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:57 PM

    “Not compete commercially” she said. WTF? Of course RTE needs to compete commercially but they also need to make programs that actually sell abroad and don’t just pander to the 59 year old female demographic that RTE currently appeals to. Enough is enough, the remit is public service broadcasting and RTE do not fulfil this remit. It is a rogue organisation writing its own rules & cheques

    125
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    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
    Favourite Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:32 PM

    It’s called subscription by choice yes. What about those that don’t that’s called dictatorship

    94
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    Mute Dan2078
    Favourite Dan2078
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:24 PM

    Maybe get rid of the licence fee and then let people choose if they wish to pay for rte productions. I’d happily go without rte. I pay my licence but rarely watch rte

    93
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    Mute Da Vid
    Favourite Da Vid
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:18 PM

    Anyone see the Climate Crisis ads for next weeks ‘week of climate programing’.
    Pure fear and scaremongering -“will we survive beyond 2050”. Any gulible clown watching that will gladly pay more taxes the government throws at us.
    Banks still lending to developers to build along potential flood plains along Dublins docks. Even Google bought a few buildings. If its all going to be under water would they have invested?

    93
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    Mute Da Vid
    Favourite Da Vid
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:11 PM

    Who.. who is that bad off that they’re downloading RTE content? Have they data on the amount of times Fair City has been downloaded? Release the data! More RTE propoganda lol

    92
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    Mute @mdmak33
    Favourite @mdmak33
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:38 PM

    The cheerleaders of IW and water charges is now criticising IW,how things change .

    80
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    Mute Tadhg Lehane
    Favourite Tadhg Lehane
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:38 PM

    Things they need to address for me to take any suggestion of paying more seriously.

    -Air less repeats

    -Stop buying year old shows, 90% of the population has satellite, we’ve likely seen 70% of RTE new content on other channels up to 12 months earlier.

    - Pay presenters appropriately for Irish market, not U.K. salaries to keep them here. If they want to go let them go and give new people a shot.

    -Stop spending fortunes for the rights to things you don’t air, or air at ridiculous hours of the night and occasionally only in highlights format. MotoGP some years ago for example.

    -Make an attempt to become up to date and people will miraculously pay.

    -my most contentious issue for me. I already have Sky who you have a revenue stream from. Why am I also paying you directly?

    83
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    Mute Willy Mc Bride
    Favourite Willy Mc Bride
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:20 PM

    Essentials such as housing are left to the free market by this FFG government, yet their mouth piece is forced on us to pay for.
    Let the Free market decide. Drop licence and put subscription by choice and see how these overpaid lackies get on..

    102
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    Mute Joseph Lyons
    Favourite Joseph Lyons
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:53 PM

    @Willy Mc Bride: a TV licence increase is coming in some form. It’s painfully obvious. And people will pay it.

    18
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    Mute Eamon McGowan
    Favourite Eamon McGowan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:21 PM

    I’ve never paid the RTE tax and I never will.
    I can download great stuff from all over the world, why on earth would I download any of RTE’s putrid garbage?

    247
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    Mute bombacho
    Favourite bombacho
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:20 PM

    Enough! I worked so hard enough to pay my mortgage enough to feed my 2 children, taking poor public transport that I have to walk a mile to the bus stop but we will survive.
    And them they live in posh estate with big houses, driving big cars, kids in private schools, holiday in the sun, ski holiday and now blaming us.
    I don’t give a s**t!

    134
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    Mute pat seery
    Favourite pat seery
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:54 PM

    The Board should Resign ASAP

    75
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    Mute Damien Murray
    Favourite Damien Murray
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:33 PM

    License for to have a smart phone??? What will they think of next to rob the people? Window tax and salt tax were tried historically and failed. Perhaps they will now put a license fee on cat’s.

    74
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    Mute cybersecsteve
    Favourite cybersecsteve
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:19 PM

    That’s grand – you go chase the 5 lunatics that’s are downloading that sh!the and get them to pay

    201
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    Mute John
    Favourite John
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:49 PM

    Make RTE subscription and they can do as they please. Sink or swim.

    65
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    Mute ken gray
    Favourite ken gray
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:46 PM

    Listened to docherty on finucane today the arrogance typical really coming from Howth !

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    Mute Daniel Finucane
    Favourite Daniel Finucane
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    Nov 9th 2019, 8:57 PM

    @ken gray: up your bum

    4
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    Mute Orla Cosgrave
    Favourite Orla Cosgrave
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:28 PM

    There is nothing worth down loading that l would be interesting in paying for. I don’t watch RTE.

    54
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    Mute Ter
    Favourite Ter
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:53 PM

    Don,t watch won,t watch .why should I pay

    55
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    Mute Margaret Kane
    Favourite Margaret Kane
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:12 PM

    Who in their right mind would download RTE

    54
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    Mute CoraG
    Favourite CoraG
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:41 PM

    If you have paid your TV licence then you should get a password to watch RTE on your phone, computer or IPad from anywhere in the world! Simple

    53
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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:59 PM

    Let RTE make it pay for view and see actually how many watch this defunct station.

    61
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    Mute Seán Molloy
    Favourite Seán Molloy
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:28 PM

    Make me

    54
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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
    Favourite Shaun Gallagher
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:31 PM

    Licence fee should cover all Irish channels. Not just RTE

    51
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    Mute Martin McFly
    Favourite Martin McFly
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:28 PM

    People don’t watch RTÉ and they pay for it. Way higher than those using player. Get a grip Moya!!

    67
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    Mute Donal Desmond
    Favourite Donal Desmond
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:35 PM

    How can you download when the R.T.E.player never works…..like Irish water money down the drain. Listened to interview with Dorothy this morning…Spin followed by more spin.

    50
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    Mute Bee Bonthuys
    Favourite Bee Bonthuys
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:30 PM

    If she’s so convinced that we cannot live without RTE and that we’re all sneakily watching it, she should be willing to put it to a test. Turn RTE into a subscription package deal and let’s see how many people sub.

    Also, if RTE keeps wanting to complain about ”the numbers” they should show us – the better half and I were trying to figure out the last time we watch RTE and couldn’t remember – not once this year – and we pay the licence.

    41
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    Mute George McCarthy
    Favourite George McCarthy
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:02 PM

    Take a leaf out of tv3s book

    44
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    Mute Disabled Junkie
    Favourite Disabled Junkie
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:01 PM

    And for those of us who are not downloading any RTE content, why should we have to pay?

    40
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    Mute Jay Thomas
    Favourite Jay Thomas
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:26 PM

    On the Marian Finucane show….. A woman who gets over 300 grand a year. When she can bother her hole showing up…. I love this country. This is next level bolloxolgy this is

    55
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    Mute Thomas Sheridan
    Favourite Thomas Sheridan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:20 PM

    Worst mainstream app I ever used. Four long adds and then the programm fails to run.
    Ironically it is the platform that rte could control through conditional access linked to TV licence number.

    42
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    Mute Marianne
    Favourite Marianne
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:53 PM

    What Is this guy fo REAL…we pay Tv licence….and I don’t know anyone with a smart phone who would want to watch RTE REPEATS ON THE GO..

    41
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    Mute Danny Mc Cauley
    Favourite Danny Mc Cauley
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:23 PM

    In an age where there is so many avenues to watch tv, Netflix’s, google and apple for example. Why do I have to pay RTÉ for something I don’t use? Why do I have to pay to put money into the pockets of people that are grossly overpaid? Independent tv in this country get very little from the tv licence but produce great tv. In a country that has already taken so much from its citizens to bail out people that live a lavish life style, there needs to be a line that is not crossed. If I want to watch Netflix or British tv programs, why do I have to pay RTÉ for that right? I subscribe to Netflix, I pay them for that. I subscribe to google play. I pay for that. Why do I have to pay for having a tv on my premises? RTÉ is a relic of a bygone era and is not suitable for the 21st century.

    38
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    Mute Keith Manning
    Favourite Keith Manning
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:12 PM

    Correction, we would if rte player ever worked.

    32
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    Mute John Fairclough
    Favourite John Fairclough
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:44 PM

    Why should I pay the same as my neighbour who watches far more RTÉ than I do? They also leave their TV on all day & night regardless. I should only pay for what I use!

    39
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    Mute Ian Walsh
    Favourite Ian Walsh
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:55 PM

    I don’t watch, listen, or download anything from RTE, absolutely nothing – perish the thought. To me they’re toxic

    43
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    Mute Gisbert Bayertz
    Favourite Gisbert Bayertz
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:13 PM

    RTÉ top management engulfed in panic

    33
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    Mute Michael Nolan
    Favourite Michael Nolan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:07 PM

    Looks like they bundled together for 2 for 1 at spec savers …let the cost saving begin.

    27
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    Mute MacVision-3D
    Favourite MacVision-3D
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:12 PM

    RTE water must be undrinkable as Moya has to bring a bottle with her

    40
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    Mute Niall Hickey-Horan
    Favourite Niall Hickey-Horan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:05 PM

    Easy for her to say, one of the richest women in the country – she won’t miss it! And yes I pay my TV licence

    34
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    Mute Victor Feldman
    Favourite Victor Feldman
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:32 PM

    @Niall Hickey-Horan: I did drama with moya in the seventies and remember her telling me that she was due to be interviewed by rte.. Since she got her foot in the door she has rode her luck well!!!

    13
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    Mute Grainnewhale
    Favourite Grainnewhale
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    Nov 9th 2019, 11:48 PM

    @Victor Feldman: Ah sure she was as thick as two short planks at national school apparently

    7
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    Mute Johnny Keane
    Favourite Johnny Keane
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    Nov 9th 2019, 8:12 PM

    Living in the 90s and overpaid , televison has moved on. If RTE closed tomorrow I wouldn’t even notice.

    28
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    Mute MaskOfTruth
    Favourite MaskOfTruth
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:31 PM

    There is a concerted attempt to push a “Save RTÉ” agenda. All you wonderful people here and on every other forum are making it clear that the people of Ireland would be happy to see it gone.

    33
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    Mute Niall Smyth
    Favourite Niall Smyth
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:59 PM

    Simple solution…when signing up to RTÉ player have a license number check before allowing access on the app.

    27
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    Mute Maggie May
    Favourite Maggie May
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:25 PM

    I have NEVER nor will I ever “DOWNLOAD RTE”!!!!!! …can not stand that company!!!!

    29
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    Mute Sarah Broderick
    Favourite Sarah Broderick
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:08 PM

    The British TV licence is just over 154 pounds; of course the population is far beyond our own. However, RTE have ridiculous advertising on TV and digital; BBC do not. The standard of the four BBC channels and their massive website, not including the iPlayer, is far, far superior to RTE’s. It is hit or miss whether the bloody RTE player will work. The ads put me off using it and it isn’t seem less like watching Netflix – far from it. When RTE stop producing terrible programming like Doireann Project and Salon Confidential – programme a class of teenagers could put together in a day with- and start turning the finger away from us, the audience who are constantly being hit with bill after bill for other people’s mistakes – then maybe might we consider paying extra. BUT NOT FOR EXTRA DEVICES!

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    Mute Mark Hosford
    Favourite Mark Hosford
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:12 PM

    Don’t offer it for free so.. Problem solved, I don’t watch it,

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    Mute Sea Graham
    Favourite Sea Graham
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:47 PM

    RTE are a waste of money, a waste of space and all the news stories in the world is not going to change that fact!

    29
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    Mute Padraic O Sullivan
    Favourite Padraic O Sullivan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:48 PM

    Rte investigates is the only good thing on rte. Most of the rest if the media here has no ballz.

    33
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    Mute Edward Fitzgerald
    Favourite Edward Fitzgerald
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:30 PM

    I don’t receive any Irish tv channels so why should I have to pay for a tv licence/broadcast fee

    28
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    Mute CoraG
    Favourite CoraG
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:42 PM

    If you have paid your TV licence then you should get a password to watch RTE on your phone, computer or IPad from anywhere in the world! Simple

    23
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    Mute Quentin Tarantino
    Favourite Quentin Tarantino
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:16 PM

    Ding pay the 12 million to have the licence fee collected . Go subscription . See what money you make . Go pay these clown presenters from your own pot of money.

    43
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    Mute Jane Alford
    Favourite Jane Alford
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:46 PM

    I pay the licence. I do not watch or listen to RTE channels in any form. I pay for a subscription service. I do not see why I should have to pay for RTE. RTE should be on subscription, those who want to watch it should pay for it.

    21
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    Mute Diogenes
    Favourite Diogenes
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    Nov 9th 2019, 2:46 PM

    Wont dont they have a workable download of content that can be accessed on just one of your devices with a specific mac address, with a serial number you receive when you pay your TV license every year, also chromecast streaming would be a good option.

    19
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    Mute Shawn O'Ceallaghan
    Favourite Shawn O'Ceallaghan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:03 PM

    All those ads make rte.ie content awful, should be an opt out who don’t want to watch RTÉ content.

    31
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    Mute Siobhan Rosemary
    Favourite Siobhan Rosemary
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:37 PM

    So he is saying people who download/watch RTE online should pay for it? So does that then mean If you have a tv and dont watch RTE then you dont pay? Think that would be very fair.

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    Mute Niall Dunne
    Favourite Niall Dunne
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:41 AM

    @Siobhan Rosemary:
    No what he’s saying is that if you own a tablet or a computer he wants you included and charged for the perceived privilege to install and watch via rte player.

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    Mute Vido
    Favourite Vido
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:47 PM

    I would agree to pay for their content rather tv license ie pay per view. Or I agree to pay tv license but I don’t want to see any adds on rte then. It’s very unfair system to viewers and other commercial broadcasters. Public funded and add free tv stations are running all across Europe and in much smaller/poorer countries so it can be done. Don’t be greedy rte

    18
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    Mute Rory Browne
    Favourite Rory Browne
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:49 PM

    There’s a very simple solution if she thinks people should pay to have RTE on their screens. Charge them for it. I don’t see a problem with this so long as you don’t charge me for not watching RTE.

    Now; Personally I’d hardly notice the €160, but object in sheer principle to paying RTE, so that I can watch Sky.

    18
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    Mute Jimmy Brandon
    Favourite Jimmy Brandon
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:45 PM

    Make it pay to view and see how many would WANT to watch it. Tv3 channels don’t get any licence support, but operate in the real world.
    Cut the salary of Tubs, Darcy finnigan, Duffy,
    And Marty Wheelan by 75% for a start.If they
    don’t like it, they are looking for staff in Aldi.

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    Mute Ronan McKeon
    Favourite Ronan McKeon
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:53 PM

    With the rate of evasion and an aging population with more and more people qualifying for a free licence they must be rightly worried in Donnybrook.

    16
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    Mute Lydia McLoughlin
    Favourite Lydia McLoughlin
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:42 PM

    Where is the opt out button? I would gladly have these stations stopped and not pay for them. Let those who want it willingly pay…. I mean the 100 or so of them!!

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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
    Favourite Eugene Comaskey
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:33 PM

    All this trash from Doherty and Forbes and the rest of them is very hard to take. What is Doherty getting out of it.? Forges is being paid three times too much, Finnucane, Darcy, Tubridy and all these useless presenters are being paid three times too much. All this foam about the “Licence Fees” is just a smoke screen, CUT the big earners, give them all 100,000 each per year, cut out the ” hangers on” , get rid on the dead wood. They are only fooling themselves talking about high content of RTE programmes. How many times now have we seen “Reeling in the Years” . The same with Ear to the Ground,. Nationwide is the only one a person could watch. They couldn’t even show Gaelic Football last Summer. A waste of time, that is RTE.

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    Mute wishiwassatoshi
    Favourite wishiwassatoshi
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:43 PM

    That’s an illegal tax. Most of the people do not watch local Tv programs at all, everything is streamed online from abroad. Why should people who not watch rte, etc local channels pay an illegal fee?

    15
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    Mute JC
    Favourite JC
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:45 PM

    Dear God, this is surely all going to have to end with mass resignations/ sackings at rte??

    15
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    Mute John Deed
    Favourite John Deed
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:49 PM

    @JC: most of them wouldn’t b kept in jail anyway.

    2
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    Mute Paudie Ireland
    Favourite Paudie Ireland
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    Nov 9th 2019, 5:35 PM

    I’ve an old Bebo page that works faster then the RTÉ Player

    21
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    Mute Johnny Keane
    Favourite Johnny Keane
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    Nov 9th 2019, 8:17 PM

    Also in 5 years time.. We will be charged for owning a laptop or a tablet!! How is this even allowed?

    14
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    Mute Niall Dunne
    Favourite Niall Dunne
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:26 PM

    You must be off your tists
    downloading or streaming
    I pay good money for broadband and I pay good money for Netflix why would anyone want to go out of their way to download rte player when they have everything else at their disposal without ad breaks to watch self important people talk up their colleagues up every week rte is a big circle jerk. Trust me it’s long past its expiry date.the internet made it obselete and they did themselves no favours. The TV license idea works against the whole purpose of itself. You pay the license so they can work without having to worry about biting the hands that feeds it yet the government can control who gets the lion’s share of the fee so they go pro government to keep riding the gravy train the whole thing is a farce.
    I would liken myself to a conscientious objector.

    27
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    Mute CoraG
    Favourite CoraG
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:42 PM

    If you have paid your TV licence then you should get a password to watch RTE on your phone, computer or IPad from anywhere in the world! Simple

    13
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    Mute Kipper O Keeffe
    Favourite Kipper O Keeffe
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:15 PM

    They talk about people not paying the license few
    But no mention of the money they take in on adds
    Commentators are all old school and should retire
    New blood needed

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    Mute Keith Mac Suibhne
    Favourite Keith Mac Suibhne
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:33 PM

    We already pay for it.

    12
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    Mute Matt Paris
    Favourite Matt Paris
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    Nov 9th 2019, 8:19 PM

    If the people downloading content should pay for it then surely the people not consuming the content don’t have to pay? Cop on RTE.

    12
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    Mute gofreak
    Favourite gofreak
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    Nov 9th 2019, 9:32 PM

    Just make rte player a pay-for/subscription app. With a limited-use waiver/code on your tv license to bypass the paywall. That way those who want the content can pay for it one way or another.

    A general mandatory charge for everyone in the country with a smart device? Eh, no.

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    Mute Andrew Stewart-Stanley
    Favourite Andrew Stewart-Stanley
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    Nov 9th 2019, 9:35 PM

    How about we only pay for it when we watch it?

    11
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    Mute CoraG
    Favourite CoraG
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:42 PM

    If you have paid your TV licence then you should get a password to watch RTE on your phone, computer or IPad from anywhere in the world! Simple

    11
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    Mute In my opinion
    Favourite In my opinion
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:41 PM

    I read on the RTÉ news site Moya Brennan wants a debate on the future of public service broadcasting to be chaired by British film producer David Puttnam personally I think if there is to be a debate the public should have a say and not just be behind closed doors. The best way it should be done is through the CSO RTÉ will then get accurate feedback as to how we the public feel about public service broadcasting.

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    Mute Victor Feldman
    Favourite Victor Feldman
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:47 PM

    @In my opinion: you mean what we truly think of tubridy.. Ocallaghan.. Whealan.. Thomas.. Clair Byrne.. Etc.. Surely not!

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    Mute Kevin Farrell
    Favourite Kevin Farrell
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    Nov 9th 2019, 11:03 PM

    “… so many people now are downloading and taking RTÉ content on their screens, and they should pay for that”

    They do pay for it! It’s called a broadband subscription fee.

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    Mute Marie O'Shea
    Favourite Marie O'Shea
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    Nov 9th 2019, 9:01 PM

    Can’t believe anyone would be bothered to download anything on RTE.

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    Mute Cathal Murphy
    Favourite Cathal Murphy
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:32 PM

    People are downloading RTÉ content on their screens, they should pay for that’

    Sure. Put it behind a paywall and problem solved.

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    Mute Cathal
    Favourite Cathal
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:48 PM

    The ad revenue already pays for it

    9
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    Mute Jimmy Brandon
    Favourite Jimmy Brandon
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    Nov 10th 2019, 7:16 AM

    Two reasons why I will never buy a tv licence,
    Ryan Tubridy and Ray Darcy.

    9
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    Mute CoraG
    Favourite CoraG
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:54 PM

    If you have paid your TV licence then you should get a password to watch RTE on your phone, computer or IPad from anywhere in the world! Simple

    9
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    Mute CoraG
    Favourite CoraG
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    Nov 9th 2019, 3:43 PM

    If you have paid your TV licence then you should get a password to watch RTE on your phone, computer or IPad from anywhere in the world! Simple

    9
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    Mute Marc O'Keeffe
    Favourite Marc O'Keeffe
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:51 PM

    @CoraG: Cora I don;t know if it’s a glitch your side but this reply has appeared 5 times (so far) in the replies!

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    Mute John Deed
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:45 PM

    Overpaid wasters as I said before. Don’t try defend the indefensible.

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    Mute Krystian Brzezowski
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    Nov 9th 2019, 9:15 PM

    The minute I will not see adds disturbing a movie, I will pay the license. Until than I will not own a TV

    10
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    Mute Mark Finnegan
    Favourite Mark Finnegan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 9:45 PM

    Can someone relay to that old f*rt that I want none of his precious content and the presence of multi-purpose devices in my home used for far superior content from dozens of superior sources in no way shape or form justifies their demands of money under threat?

    RTE contributes absolutely nothing to my life, nor anything of any real value to anyone under the age of 75. If it cannot survive as a commercial entity then it should survive as a bare-bones functional service, and be funded as such.

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    Mute Colin Mcgahon
    Favourite Colin Mcgahon
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:20 PM

    Just put rte on and they are repeating programmes that were on during the week

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    Mute Paul Kavanagh
    Favourite Paul Kavanagh
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:01 PM

    I think people living outside Irealnd would be willing to pay an annual fee for the rte player if it was more reliable and showed all programs including GAA matches etc.

    8
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    Mute Mark Walsh
    Favourite Mark Walsh
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    Nov 9th 2019, 6:12 PM

    Downloading it to show the rest of tge world how a Television station should not be run

    9
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    Mute Keith O Beirnes
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:38 PM

    Only decent programme that came from RTE was Love/Hate.

    12
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    Mute Mark Finnegan
    Favourite Mark Finnegan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 9:53 PM

    @Keith O Beirnes: I agree with most of what you said, apart from the implication that Love/Hate was decent, or even watchable.

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    Mute view2views
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:50 AM

    @Keith O Beirnes: And “Bracken”; a television drama serial broadcast from 1978 to 1982.

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    Mute view2views
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:52 AM

    @Keith O Beirnes:And “Bracken”; a television drama serial broadcast from 1978 to 1982

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    Mute Moorooka Mick
    Favourite Moorooka Mick
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    Nov 10th 2019, 3:55 AM

    RTE is a semi-State broadcaster that doesn’t know whether its Arthur or Martha.

    IMO it should be significantly downsized , fully Nationalised and financed by TV licence fees & an equal amount from Treasury.

    It then can concentrate on News, Current Affairs, Free to Air GAA & worthwhile in-house produced documentaries that promote National Unity free from political or commercial interference.

    Being dpendant on advertising revenue, it is difficult for RTE to say that it presents programming withour fear or favour.

    Otherwise, just drop the TV licencing alltogether and go commercial. Like pregnancy,
    its hard to be half commercial.

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    Mute Isthatright
    Favourite Isthatright
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:02 PM

    Go pay per view them RTÉ

    see who watches then

    12
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    Mute Jaune Fujisawa
    Favourite Jaune Fujisawa
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    Nov 10th 2019, 8:14 AM

    Virgin media can do it so why can RTÉ not sort it out. License fee should be abolished.

    8
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    Mute dearg doom
    Favourite dearg doom
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    Nov 10th 2019, 9:37 AM

    I pay my licence purely to have a TV in.the house which I use for streaming Netflix, YouTube etc. I never watch RTE – not absolutely everything on it is tripe but their app is so bad, it’s not worth tuning in.

    “Doherty said she doesn’t think people want to hear “the minutiae detail” about RTÉ’s finances”
    - I actually do want to see the detail. I always have been interested to know how they spend our money. I had heard Fair City makes a massive loss. I would love to know more.

    7
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    Mute School4work
    Favourite School4work
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:17 PM

    RTE is the irish for “rubbish”

    36
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    Mute Liz Healy
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    Nov 10th 2019, 10:30 AM

    If Rte was the last TV station on the planet I wouldn’t look at it. Pure tripe I wont be paying for rte player.

    7
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    Mute dearg doom
    Favourite dearg doom
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    Nov 10th 2019, 9:39 AM

    Our water has been privatised. Water is much more important than entertainment. Why are they so reluctant to privatise RTE?

    6
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    Mute Brian Conway
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    Nov 9th 2019, 9:29 PM

    Who does this clown think is paying for it? Also if there is so much traffic and downloading on rte sites what’s happening all the lucrative advertising revenues?

    11
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    Mute Brid Ni Dhubhlaing
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:51 PM

    One of the saddest and most ignored cuts by RTÉ is the summary dropping of their sponsorship of the RTÉ Con Tempo Quartet. This vibrant ensemble has brought live and recorded music to every isolated outlying outpost of our beautiful and cultured island. Not only that, they have brought excellence and pedagogy to our third level conservatoires. Our young musical talent needs nurture, inspiration and cultivation. RTÉ seems to prioritise eminently replicable streamable pop music over supporting our young and talented artistes. Equally, why would young sports persons be valued more, for their potential advertisement revenue ? Shame on our public broadcasters and their slavish pursuit of advertisement revenue over culture and excellence.

    7
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    Mute Kerrie Roche
    Favourite Kerrie Roche
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:01 PM

    So RTE are charged 12 million by An post. For collecting fee, yet short 32 million of what take should be so RTE now short by 44 million.!!!!!!!!

    6
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    Mute Michael Loughnane
    Favourite Michael Loughnane
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:20 PM

    Has John McColgan been snorkeling, like CT and Bono, their all at it!

    6
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    Mute Gerard Casserly
    Favourite Gerard Casserly
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    Nov 10th 2019, 9:59 AM

    I would rather delete RTE than download it.

    6
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    Mute JJ Nolan
    Favourite JJ Nolan
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    Nov 9th 2019, 4:52 PM

    the majority is on free lincence fee so no young will watch as most is american drama so can watch elsewhere so do it pay for view the same as sky

    6
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    Mute Dnom
    Favourite Dnom
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    Nov 10th 2019, 7:41 AM

    They can collect from the licence dodgers before I will pay more. And like any other financially pressured company move out of their city centre property and relocate to the suburbs.

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    Mute Pat Farrelly
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    Nov 10th 2019, 12:38 AM

    Put your RTE content behind a paywall Ms. Doherty. You won’t be long finding out how many are not downloading any of your mediocre many times repeated drivel.

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    Mute Michael Maher
    Favourite Michael Maher
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    Nov 9th 2019, 11:24 PM

    Get rid of RTE its useless.

    9
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    Mute Stevie Doran
    Favourite Stevie Doran
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:57 PM

    They get the licence fee, advertising and every programme is sponsored yet they still can’t make it work.

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    Mute ed w
    Favourite ed w
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    Nov 10th 2019, 8:16 AM

    make it subscription if they are that bothered. see how many will pay then. stop asking the government to subsidise your business.

    6
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    Mute mike
    Favourite mike
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    Nov 10th 2019, 10:43 AM

    I’m downloading a lot of stuff.. but RTÉ programs, I am not.

    I’m downloading to avoid watching RTÉ.

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    Mute Andy ✈
    Favourite Andy ✈
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    Nov 10th 2019, 5:38 AM

    Agree with everyone else who said they’ve totally missed the ‘digital’ boat – when I lived in Ireland, the app never worked or streamed for ages, and then stopped. Living overseas, they launched RTE International, and while I wouldn’t mind paying a reasonable amount, I am not willing to pay the same for RTE shows as a monthly Netflix subscription – the RTE international app of course only working on iOS in the first place.

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    Mute ed w
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    Nov 10th 2019, 8:32 AM

    I bought a TV now subscription to watch last season of game of thrones and Chernobyl cost about 15 euro for three months. havent renewed it since.

    3
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    Mute Patrick Agnew
    Favourite Patrick Agnew
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    Nov 9th 2019, 7:59 PM

    Close down RTE problem solved. They aren’t worth a fcuk

    25
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    Mute TamuMassif2019
    Favourite TamuMassif2019
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:44 PM

    @Patrick Agnew: Tourists must be gobsmacked seeing the carry on they do…

    2
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    Mute Stephen Maher
    Favourite Stephen Maher
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:24 AM

    Comparing RTE with sky is like comparing Apples to Carrots.
    I believe part of the problem is that the Heads of RTE believe thet they are in the same league as Sky. Also, If all the high paid presenters are Contractors/ self employed but full time contractors then RTE as a public funded body is in breach of state employment law. These guys should all be PAYE. Also because they are contractors, with no other obvious contracts available to them a 50% pay cut would be acceptable.

    2
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    Mute Misty Eyed Mutton
    Favourite Misty Eyed Mutton
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:47 AM

    Did anyone ask Ms Doherty and Mr McColgan about their tax arrangements for the money they earned from Riverdance, a production mad possible for them by RTE. I believe their combined net worth is about €100,000,000. I am assuming she wouldn’t have the gall to lecture poorer people about paying their TV license if she hadn’t all paid all her Irish Income tax.

    However given that the Production was a global phenomenon I suspect there may have been alternative tax arrangements made. Wont someone please ask her.

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:43 PM

    Why should they pay RTE if they never watch RTE, how is that fair? If RTE went off the air tomorrow I wouldn’t care because their news service seems to be lacking in up to date news, they seem to go on a months holidays after major holidays and I never truth their weather forecasts. Then anything interesting they show I saw it before on other non Irish stations and I fear that their news service is government propaganda… Why pay a licence for that. They recently changed their news studio at what cost and yet they cry poverty. So what does their stars and board staff earn then is another question?

    2
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    Mute Mary Organ
    Favourite Mary Organ
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    Nov 12th 2019, 12:52 PM

    Who on earth is downloading programmes from Rte??

    2
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    Mute Dorothy Roche Bermingham
    Favourite Dorothy Roche Bermingham
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    Nov 11th 2019, 8:27 PM

    We always buy our TV licence. Value for money? Absolutely not. The only reason we buy a licence is not to be guilty of a ‘criminal offence’. The content is mostly dreadful, bulked up by repeat programs or programs were presenters are singing the praises of other RTÉ colleagues & programmes! Admittedly I watch the RTÉ news every day & also Fair City (

    2
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    Mute JAMES KELLY
    Favourite JAMES KELLY
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:16 AM

    Did Moya pay for her own license or was she given one as a Board member of RTÉ ??

    2
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    Mute Mickomacko
    Favourite Mickomacko
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    Nov 10th 2019, 7:40 PM

    We do pay for it with our internet package, coz my internet package comes with rte app

    1
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    Mute Nigel Barrett
    Favourite Nigel Barrett
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    Nov 11th 2019, 9:04 AM

    I agree with the pay wall concept.

    Make it cheap as chips – say €1/week

    If people want it – they’ll pay €52/year for access (on any device)

    If a Million of them do it – €52million

    —————

    They laud themselves as a public broadcaster – yet they try to have “celebs” and “stars” and syndicate prime time shows long after their best before date – they should only be producing and airing local content – or scientific content such as documentaries

    They shouldn’t be showing movies or American TV shots or a English and Australian Soaps.

    The likes of Nationwide that was mentioned is a good example – ear to the ground is another – that is the sort of thing they should be doing.
    But not paying “stars” to host em.

    They should be doing more educational content in the Irish language – Irish history – Irish wildlife – etc.

    But they should not be allowed sell advertising – that is not a public service.

    They think they are a BBC – which collects a license form 40 million people and can afford to be extravagant …… They are not – at best they collect a license from 1 million people and are somewhere between the Farmers journal and Irelands Own.

    1
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    Mute Niamh McCartney
    Favourite Niamh McCartney
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:46 AM

    We don’t have a tv in our house. I rarely watch RTE player and wouldn’t mind paying a modest monthly fee for streaming services like RTE player…but only if it didn’t mean I have to watch any advertisements. 5 advertisements every 15 minutes or so is so frustrating. And surely all those ads and revenue they generate should justify the free streaming?? The player regularly freezes so I think I watched about 60 ads trying to get through an episode of Dublin Murders.

    1
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    Mute Con Veron
    Favourite Con Veron
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    Nov 10th 2019, 11:04 AM

    No we are not as RTE content Sux

    1
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    Mute Celso
    Favourite Celso
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    Nov 10th 2019, 10:20 PM

    Restrict access to RTE Online to those pay the TV License. Leave those who don’t have a TV, don’t stream RTE and don’t pay TV License alone!
    Charging a device is a dictatorship!

    1
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    Mute Brid Ni Dhubhlaing
    Favourite Brid Ni Dhubhlaing
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    Nov 9th 2019, 10:51 PM

    One of the saddest and most ignored cuts by RTÉ is the summary dropping of their sponsorship of the RTÉ Con Tempo Quartet. This vibrant ensemble has brought live and recorded music to every isolated outlying outpost of our beautiful and cultured island. Not only that, they have brought excellence and pedagogy to our third level conservatoires. Our young musical talent needs nurture, inspiration and cultivation. RTÉ seems to prioritise eminent low replicable streamable pop music over supporting our young and talented artistes. Equally, why would young sports persons be valued more, for their potential advertisement revenue ? Shame on our public broadcasters and their slavish pursuit of advertisement revenue over culture and excellence.

    1
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    Mute Dorothy Roche Bermingham
    Favourite Dorothy Roche Bermingham
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    Nov 11th 2019, 8:38 PM

    We always buy our TV licence. Value for money? Absolutely not. The only reason we buy a licence is not to be guilty of a ‘criminal offence’. The content is generally dreadful, bulked up by repeat programmes or programmes where presenters are singing the praises of other RTÉ colleagues & programmes! Admittedly I watch the RTÉ news every day & also Fair City. The Late Late is past its sell by date for me & The Sunday Game without Michael Lyster & now without Joe Brolly doesn’t appeal to me. For radio, I now tune into Newstalk and LBC. I also find it quite strange that independent programme makers who sell their shows to the National broadcaster can be on the board of RTÉ. This seems like a conflict of interest in my opinion.

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    Mute Dorothy Roche Bermingham
    Favourite Dorothy Roche Bermingham
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    Nov 11th 2019, 8:27 PM

    We always buy our TV licence. Value for money? Absolutely not. The only reason we buy a licence is not to be guilty of a ‘criminal offence’. The content is mostly dreadful, bulked up by repeat programs or programs were presenters are singing the praises of other RTÉ colleagues & programmes! Admittedly I watch the RTÉ news every day & also Fair City (

    1
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    Mute Dorothy Roche Bermingham
    Favourite Dorothy Roche Bermingham
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    Nov 11th 2019, 8:37 PM

    We always buy our TV licence. Value for money? Absolutely not. The only reason we buy a licence is not to be guilty of a ‘criminal offence’. The content is generally dreadful, bulked up by repeat programmes or programmes where presenters are singing the praises of other RTÉ colleagues & programmes! Admittedly I watch the RTÉ news every day & also Fair City (

    1
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