RTÉ Director General, Kevin Bakhurst
Summary
RTE Director General Kevin Backhurst discusses the broadcaster’s strategy consultation and addresses the sharp decline in license fee payments, attributing it to broader European trends and funding model challenges. He defends the pace of organizational reform, explaining that recent voluntary exit schemes were constrained by government approval delays, while outlining the completion of feasibility studies for potentially offloading the *Fair City* and *Late Late Show* productions.
Topics discussed
Introduction and RT's strategy consultation
Decline in TV licence fee payments
RTE's financial management and transparency
Challenges in reforming the licence fee system
Explanation for the 20 million euro budget cut
Staffing figures and voluntary redundancy scheme
Delays in approving voluntary exit schemes
Addressing concerns over high-profile redundancies
Feasibility study for moving Fair City off-site
Feasibility study for the Late Late Show
Broader digital transformation and governance reforms
Resolution of the 20 million euro funding shortfall
Personal reflections on the role and political pressure
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