RT recently published a ten-point plan setting a new direction for the radical transformation of the organisation, outlining a vision for a new RT in the form of commitments and actions. Developed to respond to the urgent need for transformation and a restoration of trust, the plan was 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 coming weeks.
The New Direction document can be accessed at a-new-direction-for-rte-14-11-23.pdf. It highlights 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
A new ambition to better reflect Ireland by investing in production centres outside Dublin
A smaller RT through investment in technology, skills and people
A range of financial and governance reforms
The public, stakeholders and staff were invited to give their views on the New Direction document. A national survey was conducted via the Ipsos B&A Acumen Panel, amongst a representative sample of 1,000+ adults aged 18 years+; an online approach was also applied to the open' public consultation exercise which was supported by an extensive national media campaign from RT . In addition, an invitation to participate in the online survey was distributed to all RT staff, and among a wider group of RT stakeholders.
There were 2,827 responses to the public consultation survey; 1,033 responses in the national survey; 320 responses in the staff survey; and 232 responses in the stakeholder survey.
There was broad agreement across the public, national, stakeholder surveys that RT should become a smaller organisation in pursuit of longer-term financial stability , with 71% of the public agreeing, and 64% agreement among RT staff.
63% of the public, 75% of stakeholder and 43% of RT staff felt that more of RT 's programmes should be produced by members of the independent production sector.
72% of the public and 69% of RT staff agreed that RT should make fewer programmes in Dublin, and more outside of Dublin.
81% of the public felt that RT should increase investment in digital services , while 95% of staff agreed.
71% of stakeholders and 67% of staff believed that RT is serious about transforming into a better-run organization.
46% of the public and 58% of stakeholders were satisfied that the plans outlined will result in a better use of public money.
The full survey results can be accessed here and here.
In addition, REDC conducted research to collect feedback from stakeholder groups on the strategic plans published in the New Direction for RT document. The report findings can be accessed here.
Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General, RT , says: The New Direction document 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, guide 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. It was vital that we offered the public, our stakeholders and our staff an opportunity to give their views on the document and hear what they think will make for a better RT . My thanks to everyone who contributed and participated.
Hard choices will be made in this evolution, and what the surveys tell us is that there is wide-ranging support for this new direction. We now have a compelling mandate to deliver a robust strategy that will make 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.
More from RTE
17/09/2025
Auditions will be held in Dublin, Cork and Galway
The County Parade returns f...
12/09/2025
The Late Late Show is back with a bang after the summer break, and Patrick Kielt...
12/09/2025
The World Athletics Championships, Ireland v France in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, the Irish Champions Festival, and two Sports Direct Men...
12/09/2025
The Records Show starts Sunday at 6.30pm on RT One and RT Player.
Katie Hanno...
11/09/2025
Tonight on Prime Time
RT One and RT Player at 9:35pm
Tonight RT Prime Time...
11/09/2025
RT Statement: 2026 Eurovision Song Contest
At the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in July, a number of EBU members raised concerns ...
10/09/2025
RT brings three days of live radio, live entertainment, live news, live weather, personal appearances, and more
Join RT Radio 1: Morning Ireland, The Oliver ...
09/09/2025
The Autumn Schedule has begun on RT Raidi na Gaeltachta, with a feast of music, entertainment, news and current affairs programmes as well as an interesting s...
05/09/2025
This weekend sees another feast in store for all sport fans as RT airs a jam-packed schedule of live, free-to-air sport.
The Amgen Irish Open continues all we...
04/09/2025
CELEBRATE CULTURE NIGHT ON RT
A rich schedule of live music and performances across RT services
RT will again celebrate Culture Night on Friday 19th Sept...
04/09/2025
RT shares first look images of drama series The Walsh Sisters, based on the novels by Marian Keyes
Coming to RT One and RT Player from Sunday 28 September,...
03/09/2025
My Story: Georgie - Cow Queen airs on RT 2 this Wednesday, September 3 at 4pm.
...
02/09/2025
This September, RT is delighted to support Culture Night, Dublin Theatre Festival, Limerick Jazz Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival and 17 other amazing arts and...
02/09/2025
RT and Virgin Media Television have today (Tuesday 2 September 2025) announced ...
01/09/2025
24 players have entered Slane Castle ready to outwit, outplay and outlast in the ultimate game of trust and deception.
The Traitors Ireland has commenced.
Her...
01/09/2025
First time television presenter Cathal Dowd, aged 23, from Wexford is the newest addition to the news2day team. news2day is RT 's news service designed spec...
29/08/2025
Get ready for an inspiring and emotional insight into the world of competitive Irish dancing with My Story: Tomi Champion of the World airing on RT 2 this monda...
29/08/2025
RT has today announced that David McCullagh is to be the new presenter of RT Radio 1's flagship Today programme, which airs every weekday at 10am, replaci...
27/08/2025
Filmed over the course of 20 years in Ireland's wild Atlantic, Dolphins: Wonders of the Ocean begins this Sunday.
From underwater cameraman Ken O'Sulli...
25/08/2025
RT Commercial has today announced Centra as proud food sponsor of The Traitors Ireland, coming to RT One and RT Player on August 31.
The partnership will be...
22/08/2025
Join Jacqui Hurley as she leads RT 's television coverage of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, with reporting from the Irish camp by Clare MacNamara. Co...
21/08/2025
RT today announces its exciting upcoming slate of video content, taking viewers from Autumn 2025 to Spring 2026 across RT One, RT 2 and RT Player. From an un...
20/08/2025
A record high of 202,000 watched on RT Player from 102 countries including Unit...
19/08/2025
RT Commercial has today announced Vodafone Ireland as the official broadcast sp...
18/08/2025
Cinematic classics in Waterford (6 September), classical in Drogheda (12 Septemb...
12/08/2025
All aboard! RT presenters D ith S and Kathryn Thomas meet this year's 3...
11/08/2025
The game of betrayal has come to Ireland and the walls of Slane Castle have secrets to tell
Sunday, August 31
RT One and RT Player
The Traitors Ireland | ...
08/08/2025
The Hills Are Alive: A Year at Kylemore Abbey starts Sunday at 6.30pm on RT One and RT Player
The Hills Are Alive: A Year at Kylemore Abbey, a new RT obser...
08/08/2025
Kieran's last C il House will be live from Fleadh Cheoil na h ireann this Saturday August 9
After three decades at the helm of RT Radio 1's C il Hou...
07/08/2025
RT has today announced the appointment of Mark Simpson to the role of Managing Editor, RT Radio 1.
Reporting to the Head of RT Radio 1, Tara Campbell, Mark ...
06/08/2025
Hosted by comedian Kevin McGahern, the companion show will spill the cloak-and-dagger secrets from The Traitors Ireland
Trust no one except maybe the host
G...
01/08/2025
This August, RT is delighted to support National Heritage Week, Waterford Walls, Kilkenny Arts Festival and 23 other arts and cultural events across the countr...
31/07/2025
It is with profound sadness that RT announces the death of radio presenter and actor Se n Rocks. Se n died last night following a brief illness at the age of 6...
28/07/2025
Kerry's dominant All Ireland Football Final display draws a peak of over one...
28/07/2025
Kerry's dominant All Ireland Football Final display draws a peak of over one...
23/07/2025
This series highlights some of Shelbourne Football Club's finest players and...
22/07/2025
RT Register of External Activities Q1/2025
RT is today publishing a statistical summary from the Register of External Activities for the first quarter of 20...
22/07/2025
Tipperary's epic second half All Ireland Hurling Final comeback draws over o...
22/07/2025
RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of journalist, Petula Martyn, as Mid West Correspondent. Petula will be reporting and providing analysis across ...
22/07/2025
Catherine O'Toole, Head of Marketing at Very said: The Traitors is a show that has become a global phenomenon, a cultural moment that sparks conversation, ...
18/07/2025
Up for the Match brings the fun, the passion-and a bit of Riverdance- tomorrow n...
17/07/2025
The summer is here and RT Radio 1 has unveiled a lively seasonal lineup, packed...
15/07/2025
Peak audiences of over half a million tune into both Kerry v Tyrone and Donegal ...
14/07/2025
Enhancing Public Service Broadcasting with
Innovation, Accuracy & Sustainability
New regional detail and local towns featured...
07/07/2025
RT has announced that Mark Bignell has been appointed Commissioning Editor for Comedy following a public competition. This senior editorial position will drive...
04/07/2025
The Pitch comes to RT Radio 1 airwaves this Sunday at 7pm. The Pitch is a brand...
01/07/2025
The Traitors are coming: Get your first taste of the global hit as Season 1 of T...
01/07/2025
RT has announced that Teresa Smith has been appointed Commissioning Editor with responsibility for Factual Entertainment following a public competition. This s...
01/07/2025
This July, RT is delighted to support Galway International Arts Festival, Earagail Arts Festival in Donegal, Belfast TradFest and 23 other arts and cultural ev...
RT recently published a ten-point plan setting a new direction for the radical transformation of the organisation, outlining a vision for a new RT in the form of commitments and actions. Developed to respond to the urgent need for transformation and a restoration of trust, the plan was 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 coming weeks.
