The response follows a release issued by TV3 yesterday indicating they had won a major Competition Authority complaint against the state broadcaster. RTÉ have rejected TV3 claims as false and misleading, saying ”TV3’s statement is blatantly inaccurate on key points and attempts to represent a voluntary and agreed position as a forcible outturn.” RTÉ claims the changes to their advertising schemes were made as part of a full Strategic Review initiated by Director General Noel Curran last March and that the investigation initiated by TV3’s complaint has closed on amicable and agreed terms.
Commercial Director, RTÉ Television Sales, Geraldine O’Leary said ”The Competition Authority was very accommodating and agreed to our proposal to maintain this system until changes are in place as proposed by us next year.”
As of July 1st 2012, RTÉ will no longer give discounts to advertisers, based on their total budget committed to the broadcaster.