Television licence fee revenue has fallen by over €58 million in the two years since financial scandals engulfed RTÉ, with more than 365,000 fewer people paying the annual €160 charge.
New parliamentary figures reveal the dramatic impact of the summer 2023 controversies on public trust in the national broadcaster. Revenue dropped from €306 million between July 2021 and June 2023 to €247.6 million in the subsequent two-year period, representing a 19% decline.
The scandals centered on undisclosed payments to former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy, who received €345,000 over six years that RTÉ failed to declare in its annual salary disclosures. The arrangement included a “side deal” with Renault that would have paid Tubridy €75,000 annually, with RTÉ covering the remaining €150,000 when the sponsor withdrew.
Subsequent Oireachtas hearings exposed extravagant spending including €5,000 on flip-flops, expensive London club memberships, and a failed Late Late Toy Show musical, further damaging public confidence.
While licence purchases have shown slight recovery since the government announced new RTÉ funding arrangements in July 2024, current levels remain 17% below pre-scandal figures. This year, 376,140 people have paid the fee compared to nearly 948,000 in the comparable pre-scandal period.
Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan has reconvened a technical working group to examine potential licence system enhancements, while the government maintains its commitment to providing RTÉ with €725 million over three years.