RT | A YEAR IN REVIEW | 2018
SPECIAL EVENTS COSTS, EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS AND TAX RESULT IN NET DEFICIT OF 13M IN 2018
MODEST INCREASE IN TOTAL REVENUE TOGETHER WITH REDUCED OPERATING COSTS SEES RT RETURN EBIDTA OF 6.5M
See http://www.rte.ie/annualreport for full the report.
RT is today releasing its Annual Report and Group Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2018.
In a challenging year, with a modest increase in total revenue, together with a reduction in operating costs, RT returned higher EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) of 6.5 million compared to 2017. The cost of special events in 2018, including the Papal Visit, Presidential Election and coverage of FIFA World Cup amounted to 7.2 million, which, when combined with depreciation, tax and other charges, results in an overall Net Deficit for the year of 13 million.
The Annual Report also highlights RT 's many achievements in 2018, including:
RT had 39 of the top 50 most-watched television programmes in 2018 (TAM Ireland)
81% of Irish adults continued to consider RT to be an important part of Irish life
More than 1,500,000 viewers tuned into the The Late Late Toy Show
RT .ie recorded 61.8 million monthly average page views
RT said goodbye to single use plastics in 2018
RT supported over 130 regional cultural events in 2018
RT 's orchestras saw attendances rise by 56%, up 79,000
Over 1,000,000 people tuned into RT Radio 1 each week
RT launched a new Diversity and Inclusion initiative in 2018
RT 2fm was the largest national station for 15-34 years olds
Dee Forbes, Director-General RT , said: "Despite significant challenges last year, RT continued to deliver on our commitment to captivate Irish audiences across our news and current affairs, sport, factual and entertainment content. From our in-depth coverage of Brexit to our round-the-clock output on Storm Emma, which kept the nation fully informed, and from special shared moments, such as the GAA Championship to another outstanding Late Late Toy Show, there is much that we can be proud of."
She continued: "We want to do more. We are full of programme ideas, but every day we have to curtail our own ambitions and the creative ambitions of the broader independent production sector due to our constrained resources. TV Licence payers want us to do more and deserve more from us. However, it will not be possible for RT to maintain and enhance what we do and fulfill our remit without action from Government and a solution to the funding of public service media in Ireland.
The case for increased public funding for RT has been made in numerous independent reports over the past five years, including the most recent BAI review conducted in 2018 which recommended an immediate increase in annual public funding of 30 million for RT . The case for reform of the TV Licence system has also been made in numerous reviews, however, to date, there has been no substantial response from Government."
Moya Doherty, Chair of the RT Board, commented: "The Annual Report for 2018 proves that the viewing and listening public still value public service media and the programming and content it provides. As each year passes, the pressures and demands on public service media increase. The second phase of technological shift is upon us with the rapid emergence of virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence - all curating and shaping our media experience. If public service media is to continue to thrive it will have to adapt and do so quickly, while remaining firmly rooted in the enduring values that remain more vital than ever.
"While much of RT s future is in its own hands, ensuring RT is put on a sustainable financial footing should be a shared priority, reflective of how RT was established and is funded. It is vital that government, financially and politically, underpins the work of RT , through much needed reforms of the public funding system. The Board has worked to raise public awareness of these issues and commends the Executive for their ongoing success in difficult circumstances. Despite the uncertain political situation across Europe, the Board remains convinced that a willingness to rethink the public service media landscape will position RT at the forefront of the new public service movement across Europe."
See www.rte.ie/annualreport for more and to download the full report.
ENDS
Neil O'Gorman, Corporate Communications Manager, RT , neil.ogorman@rte.ie I M: 087 2077192
Joseph Hoban, Head of Communications and Corporate Engagement, RT , joseph.hoban@rte.ie I M: 086 8128662
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RT | A YEAR IN REVIEW | 2018 
