RTÉ may lose some of its top name presenters as a result of pay cuts, but they will be replaced by new talent, director general Noel Curran admitted last night. Speaking at Dublin City University, Mr Curran conceded that the reduction of top presenters’ wages by 30% may result in loss of big names, but declared that RTÉ has mistakenly paid top presenters too much in the past.
Speaking at a public lecture series about the media and public, Curran said “We may, during this process of renegotiation lose some of our most talented and loved presenters to our competitors. That would be very regrettable, but if some choose to leave, we will adjust, find new voices and new ways to deliver services and programmes."
Rapid changes are in store for the broadcaster, with Curran saying, RTÉ staff numbers would have fallen by 300 from 2008 levels, by the end of this year. Curran also promised a more transparent and efficient state broadcaster in the coming years.
Curran also outlined six areas of focus for RTÉ which they will aim to protect and enhance over the coming years, as investigative journalism, arts and culture, children and young people, innovation, 24 hour news and national events.
RTÉ announced the implementation of a three-year restructuring plan in June of this year to help the organisation keep its finances in order. The state broadcaster is predicting a deficit of €17 million this year, following the government decision to divert license fee away from RTÉ and reduced advertising revenues.
