Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

RT Publishes New Direction Document

14/11/2023

RT today published a ten-point plan setting a new direction for the radical transformation of the organisation. The document launches against the backdrop of an acute funding crisis that threatens the very existence of public service media in Ireland.

The document sets out a vision for a new RT in the form of commitments and actions. In tandem, RT has confirmed that it will implement a series of cuts to planned expenditure in 2024 as part of an immediate cost-control programme.

Developed to respond to the urgent need for transformation and a restoration of trust, the plan is the first step in a consultation with Government, with the audience, and with staff, the creative sector, and other stakeholders. The plan sets out the framework for the eventual strategic plan for 2024 - 2028, which will be provided to Government and the regulator in the new year.

The public are being invited to give their views on the New Direction document at www.rte.ie/newdirection

The New Direction plan details 10 key areas of reform, transformation and change:

A New Vision for Public Service

A New Approach on Value for Money

A New Take on Nationwide Production

A New Organisation

A New Strategy for Sectoral Support

New Digital Products

New Digital Experiences

New Protections for Free-to-Air Access

A New Approach on Financial Management

A New Framework for Better Governance

Among the key commitments in the plan are:

A 50% increase in commissioning spend by 2028, as part of a hybrid-production model, which will see increased investment in independent production to access and support creativity across Ireland.

A new ambition to better reflect Ireland by investing in production centres outside Dublin, including a planned Cork content hub, with renewed commitments to Limerick and Galway. In addition, the plan details a pathway toward digital transformation and personalisation, with increased investment in digital products and skills.

A smaller RT through investment in technology, skills and people, with a 20% net headcount reduction over the period of the 2024-2028 strategy, supported by a voluntary exit scheme.

A range of financial and governance reforms, with the launch of new registers and reporting functions, including

a Register of Commercial Interests

a Register of Commercial Activities

Published Expenses

Salaries of Leadership Team

Anonymised Top 100 Salaries

The setting of a maximum pay cap (no salary will exceed that of the Director-General), and a review of and reduction of allowances, as well as an evaluation of options for the future use of the Donnybrook campus, including reducing the size of the footprint needed for RT 's production and broadcast facilities.

The public are being invited to give their views on the New Direction document at www.rte.ie/newdirection

Targeted Cost Reductions

About 90% of adults in Ireland access RT 's content and services at least once a week. While RT 's broad remit and obligations, set out in the Broadcasting Act, remain in place, total funding has now declined significantly. Longer-term decline due to systemic issues with the funding of the public media system has been overtaken by a widescale breakdown in trust arising from the recent controversy; in the second half of 2023, licence fee sales declined by a further 30%. This trend looks set to continue over 2024, which could result in a 40m decline in TV Licence revenues.

To help close this public funding gap, and to address these immediate and significant financial challenges, RT will implement a minimum of 10m cuts in expenditure planned for 2024. These cuts will include:

Cuts to content, to be confirmed in the coming weeks

An initial and limited Voluntary Exit Programme, to deliver a headcount reduction of 40. This will be funded by the 2017 land sale proceeds

Ongoing freeze on recruitment

Ongoing pause on discretionary spend

Postponement of a range of capital and strategic projects

Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General, RT , says: The document we have published today sets out the strategic direction and vision for a transformed RT , and is the blueprint for RT 's forthcoming Statement of Strategy 2024-2028. RT 's unique public service character, and values, have guided each of the ten points in the outline plan.

As we await a decision on how public media in Ireland will be funded, we recognise the urgent need to restore trust. While RT will become smaller in size across the life of this strategy, the scale of RT 's public service ambition, and our ambition for the role that RT will play in Irish life, will not be diminished.

The destination of this new direction plan is, ultimately, a better RT . RT will deliver high-quality programmes and content and will be more agile so that we can meet evolving audience needs. We will provide better value for money. We will work harder with the independent production sector and diversify outside of Dublin. Over its almost 100-year history, RT has served the public through the talent, integrity and commitment of its staff. Whilst acknowledging that we need to reduce our workforce, we remain committed to supporting and developing the extraordinary people that we have both in RT and across the industry.

2024 will be a challenging year and one in which we will have to manage our cost base carefully. Hard choices will be made. My hope, however, is that we will enter 2025 armed with a robust strategy that makes the best use of the monies available to fund our national media service, monies we will invest as wisely and strategically as possible to improve the invaluable contribution of public service media to life in Ireland.
LINK: https://about.rte.ie/2023/11/14/rte-publishes-new-direction-document/...
See more stories from rte

More from RTE

25/07/2024

RT Statement: RT coverage of Olympic Games 2024, Paris

RT has rights to broadcast the 2024 Olympic Games in the Republic of Ireland only. RT is not permitted to broadcast the 2024 Olympic Games in Northern Ireland...

24/07/2024

RT welcomes today's announcement by Government of multi-annual public funding for RT

Commenting, Director-General of RT , Kevin Bakhurst said: RT welcomes today&...

23/07/2024

OVER ONE MILLION WATCH ON RT2 AS CLARE OVERCOME CORK IN EPIC ALL-IRELAND HURLING FINAL

AVERAGE AUDIENCE UP OVER 200,000 ON LAST YEAR'S FINAL Clare's thrilling...

22/07/2024

Bishop Eamonn Casey A Sexual Predator says Former Safeguarding CEO for Catholic Church in new RT Documentary

Church received four separate complaints of childhood sexual abuse against Bisho...

19/07/2024

Fgraonn RT craoladh as Gaeilge ar chluich ceannais iomna agus peile na hireann i mbliana

Cuirfidh RT craoladh ioml n i nGaeilge ar f il beo n taobhl ne ar na cluich c...

19/07/2024

RT announces bumper coverage of the 2024 Olympic Games as largest Team Ireland ever heads to Paris

Coverage of all 17 days across TV, Radio and Online following Team Ireland's...

15/07/2024

2FM launch Road Safety Authority Campaign Think and Drive

2FM has teamed up with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the Gaelic Players Association, the FAI, the IRFU and a host of Irish musicians to record road safety me...

15/07/2024

1.3 MILLION TUNE INTO RT TO SEE ENGLAND DEFEATED BY SPAIN IN UEFA EURO 2024 FINAL

RT PLAYER STREAMS MORE THAN TRIPLE FOR UEFA EURO 2024 VERSUS 2020 TOURNAMENT 9...

15/07/2024

Are you going to the Fleadh? RT will be there.

Are you going to the Fleadh? RT will be there. WATCH our promo Wexford Town will host the Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na h ireann 2024 and, as traditional musici...

09/07/2024

RT News Announces Shane Curraighn as new North West Correspondent

RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of journalist, Shane Curraigh n, as Northwest Correspondent. Shane will be reporting and providing analysis ac...

03/07/2024

Coverage across RT of UK General Election Results 2024

RT will present comprehensive coverage of the UK General Election 2024 results on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th July across digital, television and radio platfor...

02/07/2024

RT is seeking expressions of interest in presenting roles on RT 2FM

RT is seeking expressions of interest in presenting single or double header roles on RTE 2fm. RT 2FM's primary purpose is to provide relevant speech, mus...

02/07/2024

RT announces Tommy Meskill as new London Correspondent

RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of Tommy Meskill as its new London Correspondent. Tommy has been a journalist with RT News for eight years, mos...

01/07/2024

RT Supporting the Arts: What's On this July

Watch our promo: RT Supporting the Arts | What's on YouTube This July, RT is delighted to support a fantastic array of events around the country. In Ga...

28/06/2024

RT Announce Olympic and Paralympic Coverage in a bumper Summer of Sport

Over 250 hours of Olympics coverage and over 100 hours of Paralympics coverage Two new series on our Irish Olympians' journey At an event in RT today, ...

28/06/2024

11 million streams across RT Player so far this June as UEFA European Championship scores with viewers

4.2 million streams last week with Player on track to break 2023 records RT Pl...

27/06/2024

RT Toy Show Appeal's grants to help transform young lives all across the island of Ireland

3.6million in 122 grants to benefit 1.1million children in every county in Irela...

25/06/2024

RT Statement on the death of Tommie Gorman

Former RT journalist Tommie Gorman has died at the age of 68, his family have announced. After 41 years, Tommie signed off from RT News for the final time in ...

25/06/2024

The death of legendary sport broadcaster and commentator Michel Muircheartaigh has been announced

RT Raidi na Gaeltachta today announced the death of legendary sport broadcaste...

20/06/2024

New documentary series Path to Paris chronicles Ireland's Olympic and Paralympic hopes in the lead up to the 2024 Games

First episode airs Thursday June 27 at 10:15pm and features Rhasidat Adeleke, Ge...

14/06/2024

New coaching line-up for Ireland's Fittest Family revealed

Anna Geary and Sonia O'Sullivan go head-to-head for the first time It's set to be one of the most competitive seasons to date on Ireland's Fittest ...

13/06/2024

RT announces details of UEFA EURO 2024 coverage live and exclusive

All 51 games live and free-to-air 45 games live on RT 2 & RT Player plus 6 final group games on RT Player & RT News channel RT Sport team includes new si...

12/06/2024

Footage of Cruelty and Abuse of Horses in Kildare revealed by RT Investigates

Hidden cameras capture horses being repeatedly hit and punched around the head Images show a horse too weak to stand being prodded with a pitchfork Major...

11/06/2024

RT and Partners take home six Torc Awards at 45th Celtic Media Festival, the International Summit of Sound and Screen.

RT took home Torcs in the current affairs, history, live music, single document...

10/06/2024

RT Investigates the Irish and European Horse Industries in a Major New Investigation to air over two nights this coming week

Hidden camera footage captures systematic abuse of horses This Wednesday & Th...

07/06/2024

The Real Carrie Jade | A new podcast series from RT Documentary on One

A NEW PODCAST SERIES FROM RT DOCUMENTARY ON ONE FEATURING EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO CARRIE JADE WILLIAMS LISTEN TO TRAILER HERE In 2021, a 32-year-old English wom...

06/06/2024

Tonight, on RT's Prime Time, significant breaches of trust uncovered at Peter McVerry Trust

Prime Time's report tonight examines the failures of the Charities Regulator...

06/06/2024

RT announces dedicated Elections Results Coverage

RT has announced details of comprehensive elections results coverage across digital, television, and radio platforms beginning this weekend. After the public h...

04/06/2024

Final European Election TV debate focuses on Dublin this Tuesday night on RT Prime Time

Watch live on RT One at 9:35pm and available to stream on RT Player With fo...

31/05/2024

RT 2FM is the home of music this summer

RT 2FM is the home of music this summer, entertaining listeners across the day and night, with the best music, chat and interviews providing the soundtrack to ...

31/05/2024

RT Supporting the Arts: What's On this June

RT Supporting the Arts: What's On this June Watch our promo: RT Supporting the Arts | What's on YouTube This June, RT is delighted to support Lim...

30/05/2024

RT Announces Rachael English as the New Presenter of News at One on RT Radio 1

RT has announced that Rachael English will be the new presenter of News at One on RT Radio 1 following the retirement of Bryan Dobson. After 14 years as part ...

29/05/2024

RT Brings You to the Heart of the Action this June Bank Holiday Weekend

An action-packed weekend of live sport, including the Women's Euro 2025 Qualifier, the GAA Championship, URC Live and the Champions League Final Catch al...

23/05/2024

Jennifer Zamparelli hangs up the mic on her daily 2FM Show

RT 2FM today announced that Jennifer Zamperelli is to hang up the mic on her daily show. Jennifer has presented her own show from 9-12pm weekdays on RT 2FM s...

23/05/2024

Ireland's First Ever Mayoral Election TV Debate live from Limerick this Monday Night on Upfront with Katie Hannon

All candidates invited to debate live on the night As part of RT 's extensi...

22/05/2024

WALK IN BEAUTY AS RT GOES LIVE AT BORD BIA BLOOM 2024

RT lyric fm favourites Marty Whelan, Niall Carroll, Lorcan Murray, Simon Delaney and Evelyn Grant head to the Park Liz Nolan offers an immersive podcast of cl...

21/05/2024

RT 2FM announces Drive It with The 2 Johnnies' is to come to an end

RT 2FM today announced that the Drive It with The 2 Johnnies is to come to an end on 31 May. Head of RT 2Fm, Dan Healy said: After two very successful years...

21/05/2024

RT launches a series of Animated Shorts on the theme of Home

HOME IS WHERE THE STORY BEGINS RT launches a series of Animated Shorts on the theme of Home Watch: rte.ie/player/kids Among these short animations is Envelo...

20/05/2024

First European Election Major TV Debate this Monday Night on Upfront with Katie Hannon

As part of RT 's extensive coverage in the run up to the European Parliament...

17/05/2024

RT'S Operation Transformation comes to a close after 17 seasons

RT has today announced that Operation Transformation (OT) is to end after 17 seasons. As series come to an end each year, RT undertakes an editorial review to...

16/05/2024

Cruinni na ng 2024 - a day of free creative activity for young people

RT is supporting Cruinni na n g with a nationwide campaign on television, radio, online and digital. For a full listing of all activities and information on h...

14/05/2024

PJ Gallagher explores Ireland's fight for mental wellness in new RT documentary, PJ Gallagher: Changing My Mind

Comedian PJ Gallagher turns mental health warrior in PJ Gallagher: Changing My M...

13/05/2024

Ballyduff Drama Group hailing from Co. Waterford Scoops Top Award in 2024 RT All Ireland Drama Festival

RT Marks 20 Years as Title Sponsor of the Festival with special anniversary vid...

13/05/2024

New landmark documentary series Stardust on RT One and RT Player

New compelling eye-witness testimony of Stardust fire in RT documentary Series filmed over three years includes interview with Charlie Bird filmed in 2021 N...

09/05/2024

RT Supporting the Arts: What's On this May

RT Supporting the Arts: What's On this May Watch our YouTube promo here This May RT is delighted to support Dublin Dance Festival along with 20 other ar...

08/05/2024

Doireann Garrihy to leave RT 2FM

RT has today announced that Doireann Garrihy has decided to leave RT 2FM after five years. Doireann will present her final 2FM Breakfast with Doireann, Donncha...

07/05/2024

RT welcomes publication of reports

RT has today welcomed the publication of three reports by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and the Media, Catherine Martin TD: The Re...

06/05/2024

RT Announces Series of Major TV Debates as part of its European Parliament Election Coverage

RT has announced details of its coverage across digital, TV and Radio in the ru...

01/05/2024

RT lyric fm turns 25!

RT lyric fm turns 25! Music station Where Life Sounds Better celebrates birthday with a gala concert RT lyric fm celebrates 25 years today Wednesday, ...