RTE is set to seek a TV licence price hike – just days after the British government froze the BBC TV licence fee for the next two years.
The Irish TV licence is currently €160 per year, and has been at that level since 2008.
RTE is seeking an extra €30 million in funding by revamping the traditional TV licence into a broadcasting charge.
According to the Sunday World, in a submission to the Public Accounts Committee tomorrow, RTE director-general Dee Forbes will say: “If there is no action, RTÉ will not be able to return to a stable financial position, will not be able to reinvent itself for future generations.”
The potential price hike is due to a fall in advertising revenue at the state broadcaster due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
RTE recorded a surplus of €7 million in 2020 – but that was well short of the stations expectations.
The Government also provided an additional €9 million to RTE in 2019, but that was entirely absorbed by a sharp decline in licence fee sales.
But what’s the difference between a broadcasting charge and a traditional TV Licence?
Here’s everything you need to know.
How will a broadcasting charge work, and what will it affect?
Any household that has a device that can access TV will be liable for the broadcasting charge.
Phones laptops and tablets would all be liable for a broadcasting charge.
Will you have to pay per device?
No. Like the licence fee, the broadcasting charge would be on a household basis, not on an individual device.
How much would a broadcasting charge cost?
There’s no word yet on what a broadcasting charge could cost.
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