Kevin Bakhurst, a year into his position as director general of RTÉ, has expressed satisfaction with the new three-year public funding deal amounting to €725 million. He also does not regret the Government’s choice to maintain the €160 television licence fee. Bakhurst emphasised that without the potential risk of non-payment, it would be exceedingly tough to gather the licence fee, thus making it unjust for those who pay it.
Bakhurst supports the current law that could prosecute people for licence fee evasion. An increased focus on catching evaders has been signalled by Catherine Martin, the Minister for Media. Further, An Post has received a €6 million grant to upgrade its out-of-date database, a move Bakhurst ascribes as granting them a “fighting chance”.
He also gave due credit to David McRedmond, An Post chief executive, for being astute and likely to request whatever he needs for optimal effectiveness. For the next three years, RTÉ is now protected from any possible drop in licence fee revenue, having received fixed public funding; €225 million in 2025, €240 million in 2026, and €260 million in 2027.
Bakhurst perceives this shift towards more substantial Exchequer funding as superior to increasing the licence fee, which has remained unchanged since 2008, labelling the multiannual settlement as crucial for them. He dismissed the claim by competitor Virgin Media Television that this deal further skews the Irish media, in addition to tagging the agreement as a “reward for inefficiency and universally poor practice”.
Bakhurst expressed his disagreement over perceptions that dealing with past issues and establishing a reliable structure is, in any way, rewarding poor behaviour. Though RTÉ hoped for a five-year deal to go hand in hand with the strategy document Bakhurst was instructed to create, they sought £255 million in 2025, with succeeding increments determined by the Consumer Price Index. Despite this, there will be no need for RTÉ to execute additional cuts beyond ones already anticipated.
Bakhurst alluded to the reduction to £225 million possibly impacting the timetable for directorial tech upgrades. However, the plan remains to primarily allocate funds to projects that will quickly benefit the audience. Key investments for this year include enhancing the Player, the audio app, and the news app, despite the necessity for more funds in future years.
Last autumn, an additional £16 million was provided to RTÉ, followed by half of the approved extra £40 million for 2024. An outstanding £20 million is yet to be received. The sum depends on the sales of licence fees and other variables, according to Bakhurst. Awaiting approval for a voluntary redundancy plan, he anticipates around 40 departures as a first step to achieving a workforce contraction of 400 (20%) by 2028 end.
RTÉ continues to feel the effects of previous corporate governance scandals, with a possible severance package of £400,000 being deliberated for an unnamed individual undergoing proceedings at the Workplace Relations Commission. Irish broadcaster Ryan Tubridy, who left the company and received £150,000 through a hidden agreement with RTÉ, has yet to reimburse the funds, much to Bakhurst’s disappointment.
Furthermore, even though several presenters from RTÉ 2FM have exited, Bakhurst is adamant that the station is not on the market. The head of the station, Dan Healy, has “truly stimulating plans” for the future. Although they announced that digital radio stations set for closure will cease by August-end, RTÉjr will continue operating for a few more months due to regulatory considerations.
RTÉ is currently investigating the most advantageous way to produce shows such as Fair City and The Late Late Show off-site, claimed Bakhurst. This strategy aims at dodging expensive site upgrades. Bakhurst mentioned that an array of independent production niches show interest, particularly in Fair City, with several already expressing their intent to him. However, emphasising the significance of both shows, he assured that RTÉ would avoid any actions that might put them at risk.
Bakhurst, who clocks just over one annual season at RTÉ – quick to add he isn’t counting – was asked if the company is at the point he envisioned. He responded negatively, citing the need for refurbishments. He expressed a solid intention for program development, outlined a strategic role for RTÉ, and the aspiration to effectively serve audiences. Satisfaction, he concluded, would come when these objectives have been accomplished.