Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
RTÉ’S DIRECTOR GENERAL has today briefed staff on the organisation’s new five-year strategy.
Speaking about the plan, Renewing RTÉ for the next generation 2018-2022, Dee Forbes said: “Now is a hugely important time for us. We can’t sit still, we have to change, we have to innovate, we have to be creative, and we have to continue to tell Ireland’s stories.”
The report states that changes in media have “provided audiences with unprecedented content choices”, noting that consumption patterns have “changed and will remain in flux for years”.
As a result of this, RTÉ needs to “adapt to compete”. Its key objectives for the next five years are as follows:
• Serve linear audiences while adopting a digital-first approach
• Know, engage with and better understand audiences
• Reflect Ireland’s diversity on and off air
• Innovate with a new model for short-form content
• Expand and deepen its creative partnerships
RTÉ said, in order to achieve this, its strategy focuses on the following elements:
• Putting the audience first
• Making high-quality content
• Allowing audiences to connect with RTÉ content how, where and when they want
Funding
The broadcaster said the five-year strategy, as well as RTÉ’s financial sustainability, are “contingent on several financial assumptions”, including an increase in public funding that includes reform of the television licence fee system.
Forbes previously called for the TV licence fee to be increased from €160 to €175.
In relation to public funding, the report states: “Responding to the digital challenge of a changing media sector requires a fundamental change in public policy that reflects how audiences consume content and how best to fund great public service content.
“Such a review of policy has occurred in several other European countries – such as Germany, Italy, Portugal and Finland – and has improved the sustainability and relevance of PSM (public service media).”
RTÉ said it wants to “ensure that national legislative and regulatory frameworks support the role, development and accountability of PSM in Ireland”.
The report states: “The inefficient licence fee system should be reformed to support this policy and increase public funding levels for the benefit of the entire Irish media sector. There are a variety of reform options and choices available to Government.
The financial model that underpins this strategy is based on conservative estimates around television licence reform and on the premise that RTÉ would not be the only beneficiary of this reform.
“The current levels of evasion (15%) and the high cost of collection (5.5%) provide significant scope for reform without any increase in the licence fee. More than €40 million in additional public funding would become available if the system was modernised.”
RTÉ said this extra money “would principally be invested in the independent sector to create world-class content relating to core public service priorities”, with 50% of the funding being spent in Ireland’s independent sector and thereby creating jobs.
In June 2017, RTÉ sold off nearly nine acres of land at its headquarters in Donnybrook in Dublin 4 for €107.5 million. It has also sought redundancies in recent years to help its flagging financial situation.
The organisation’s losses for 2016 topped €20 million, up from €2.8 million the previous year, after it spent money on high-profile events such as the centenary of the Easter Rising and the Olympics.
News and sport
RTÉ has specific plans for areas such as news, sport, drama, comedy, documentaries and scientific programming.
In relation to news, the broadcaster plans to:
In terms of sport, the broadcaster said it will:
Diversity
The broadcaster said it also wants to “captivate audiences and celebrate our country’s rich diversity”.
The report notes: “Knowing audiences in Ireland, reflecting them and engaging with them is crucial. RTÉ will focus on attracting younger audiences while retaining other traditionally loyal audiences.
“Locally produced content needs to be protected to ensure that Ireland continues to have a vibrant creative sector that reflects Irish culture, stories and society.
The content priorities embedded in this strategy are to offer greater variety and diversity, including long and short form, live and on-demand; and to increase partnerships with Ireland’s creative sector.
“RTÉ wants to give people more choice and control as to how, when and where they connect with and consume its content.”
RTÉ said its progress in implementing the strategy will be “continuously assessed” by indicators that will “evolve and change to meet RTÉ’s requirements as it strives to satisfy audience needs and respond to the ever-changing media marketplace”.
She is a hero
I seriously have so much admiration and respect for this lady.
This story has recieved a mere 2500+ views compared to the 28,000+ attributed to the story about the shooting in the U.S!!
Makes you wonder what the people of our country think about its people!!
It’s about time this was sorted out, it’s a pity somebody had to die because of it.
Cost of repairing Priory Hall €10million approx / Government pledge to overseas aid €60 million.
Don’t think money was the issue with the state, to be fair! It was a private development that crossed paths with a public body in terms of planning. But the state can’t just write a cheque that easily and its a legal nightmare for everyone! Thankfully the saga appears to have an end in sight!
And what is the cost of going after the IRA builder who built it? Surely he should have to pay most of the 10 million euros?
the ‘ira’ builder…………get a life you troll.
He’s bankrupt. I say chuck him in jail till he pays. ..oh no wait its ireland after all
He has claimed British citizenship to qualify for bankruptcy in the UK. Bet the Sinn Fein lads didn’t like that move by this former hunger striker. You have been v silent on this one Gerry
IRA/SF builder.
I live in Roscrea Co. Tipperary and Tom McFeely built a number if houses at the end of my road which have been abandoned since he became bankrupt and are now vandalised and people are dumping on the sight. The first few to leave began dumping and by that the place became inhospitable for the rest, they all seemed to be renting and towards the end were playing rent to an English company and I think there is only a couple of windows left all have been broken. What a waste of perfectly good houses. They’ve ruined our whole estate which I used to love living in now I am disgusted every day as I drive past those houses!!
We have a harrowing history of forced evictions in Ireland. I can’t believe that we have allowed ourselves -through Government (past and present), our banks and our property developers, but also through our own lack of foresight; to see ourselves as a people in a similar position again.
The Easter Rising leaders must be turning in their graves..
Is this what we have achieved with our unfettered destinies?
This story has nothing to do with forced evictions. Agenda much?
I really would hope that people could have a bit of compassion and understanding for these innocent victims for the lack of proper regulation and standards in the Construction industry. I agree that most people are very supportive and genuinely want this to end. My Child and 88 of her Neighbours have been to Hell and back since 2007 when these apartments first opened. The “Banks” had these death traps inspected on at least 89 separate occasions and no major faults were reported. Coleport The Construction company had a CV with a massive list of failed developments yet they were left with a license to continue to construct death traps. These people were failed by our Government, the Department for the Environment, the Developers and the Banks . It really all came down to GREED & PROFITEERING. If there is any justice most of these Bastards will roast in hell. Every single one of them should be named and shamed, they all have blood on their hands.
Sad state of affairs when it takes a man to take his own life before the government gets its finger out to sort the issue.
Stephanie Meehan should be paid to attend the meeting with the Minister and all the Priory Hall parties. She should have the power to say who said what at these meetings. She is such a capable lady and could cut through the delaying tactics bullshit of all these “experts” These guys need the constant reminder that the crazy delays from all sides have ruined and cost lives.
Brave lady.
I hope KBC choke on the money
That poor woman has been through a lot I hope it is all sorted out soon for that poor woman & the rest of priory hall residents
Not only should it all have been sorted…they ‘Priory Hall Homeowners’ should now also be compensated for the distress it has caused, small comport I know.. thoughts are with you still Stephanie.
have your say