The decision on whether or not to continue requiring households to pay for a television license is a matter the government must address, according to Moya Doherty, the chair of the RTÉ Board. With the rise of streaming services and declining traditional television viewership, the future of the TV license fee has come under scrutiny. In this article, we delve into the arguments for and against retaining the TV license and explore the potential consequences of any changes to the current system.
The Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ, is facing several challenges concerning its TV licence and digital services. The Chairman of the RTÉ Board, Moya Doherty, has called on the Government to take a decision on the future funding of Ireland’s public service broadcaster. According to RTE.ie, Doherty stated that the “economic landscape has changed beyond recognition” and that the current TV licence fee model must be adapted to address RTÉ’s funding shortfall in the face of increased competition from commercial broadcasters and streaming services. Doherty believes that the current funding model is “broken” and emphasised that the broadcaster’s commercial operations can only be a complementary source of revenue.
Meanwhile, An Post, a state-owned postal service company, has been criticised for its collection of TV licence fees on behalf of RTÉ. According to The Irish Times, An Post’s collection of TV licence fees has been deemed “less than ideal” with some households being taxed for a service that they do not use. The report claims that the correspondence between An Post and RTÉ has been insufficient, and that a more streamlined approach is required. Alternative ways of financing public service broadcasters, such as through general taxation, have been suggested as a more effective funding stream.
RTÉ recently appointed Kevin Bakhurst as its new Director-General. According to Independent.ie, Bakhurst will bring significant experience to the broadcaster, having previously held senior roles at the BBC and Ofcom. His appointment comes at a challenging time for RTÉ, as it aims to modernise its operations and adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape. Bakhurst is expected to commence his role in late 2021.
The new Chairwoman of RTÉ, Doherty, has also called for increased investment in the broadcaster’s digital services. In a report by The Irish Times, she outlined that RTÉ must “think much wider than television if it is to remain relevant”. She warned that the broadcaster is in danger of losing younger audiences to streaming services and that RTÉ must invest more in digital content to remain competitive. The report suggests that RTÉ needs to create digital content that is unique, engaging and available across a range of platforms.
In conclusion, RTÉ faces significant challenges as it attempts to secure its future funding and adapt to the changing digital landscape. The Government’s decision on the future of the TV licence fee model will be crucial in determining how RTÉ can finance its operations going forward. The appointment of Kevin Bakhurst to the position of Director-General provides hope that RTÉ can successfully navigate these challenges and maintain its crucial role as Ireland’s public service broadcaster.
