TV exec warns against RTÉ ‘back-sliding' on agreed €56m spend in independent sector
Speaking in his role as chair of the Unscripted Working Group at Screen Producers Ireland (SPI), Mr Switzer said: 'Our industry and political leaders must insist that RTÉ reach their agreed spend – circa €56m in 2025 – with the independent sector which was agreed as part of the exchequer bailout.'
He said: 'We must not allow any back-sliding or lack of transparency in this matter.'
Mr Switzer served as an independent non-executive director on the RTÉ board from 2010 to 2015 and as an independent producer since 1986 and is now retired from his role at Coco Content, which produces the likes of Room To Improve and First Dates for RTÉ.
Other popular RTÉ shows made by external partners include Dancing with the Stars, made by ShinAwiL
Mr Switzer said that he expects the new Government Section 487 incentive for the unscripted industry here to come into force towards the end of 2025.
He said: 'It is a wonderful opportunity for the unscripted industry in Ireland to develop and emulate the success of our colleagues in the scripted industry, but it must be used as a benefit to the producer to create and develop Intellectual Property (IP), and not end up as another subvention for our domestic broadcasters.'
The new RTÉ report shows that television commissions with a value of €30m, representing 62pc of the value of new 2024 television commissions, were awarded to 10 independent production companies.
The report states that a further sum of €7.4m, or 15pc, was awarded to a further 10 independent production companies.
The report states that in addition to the €48.8m committed by RTÉ to new television commissions in 2024, producers of RTÉ-commissioned programmes attracted funding from other sources and the total value of this additional funding on 2024 contracts was €35m.
The report states that the total value of RTÉ independent television programming activities in 2024, inclusive of all third-party funding, was €83.8m.
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Britain's Got Talent bombshell as popular judge QUITS panel – and huge star in talks to replace them revealed
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The 42
11 hours ago
- The 42
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'Because I was back in London quite a bit in the weeks leading up to this tour, and I knew I was doing commentary, unlike ROG, Miles and I did a few sessions. MH: 'We did an old Lions game and then a couple of Super Rugby games.' DB: 'I think we'd be lying if we didn't say there was room for improvement.' MH: 'It was raw, but it was full of promise. DB: 'I didn't know if I would get on this well with ROG… I had an inkling that we would, but you never quite know until you're thrown into that scenario. 'It's helped that we've got on really well. ROG's two boys, Zak and JJ, were out here at the start and I've got my wife and two boys with me. So they basically became unpaid babysitters in the first two weeks of the tour. 'We went out and did golf and go-karts and things like that, so we've bonded in the commentary box and in hotels, airports and things like that as well. Sky Sports commentator Miles Harrison. INPHO / Dan Sheridan INPHO / Dan Sheridan / Dan Sheridan MH: 'There was a sense that the chemistry could really work between the two guys. Initially, I think you [O'Gara] were asked to do that sort of regular comment during the game without necessarily being fully part of the commentary team. 'And when we sat up there on night one, the Reds game in Brisbane, that was sort of the intention, but I knew as soon as you started to become involved, that you'd want to speak more. 'We all sort of looked at each other and thought, 'Yeah,' and that was acknowledged back at base from the production side, who were liking what they were hearing. 'The guy who's not around this table is Sam, who's been very much part of the commentary team and in many ways I think we would all say he's sort of underpinned what we've done with world-class analysis. DB: 'He completes the package.' Advertisement ROG: 'And it gives us a break.' MH: 'That's been handled really well technically back at base, so it's been quite a powerful tool because Sam's got all the gizmos to be able to compile stuff both not only in studio but also within the game. And he's such a clever rugby thinker and communicator. 'He doesn't waste a word, comes in, talks in all the right places, knows exactly when to finish his point as well to make sure live play's not missed. He's been a real asset. ROG: 'Poaching is a big part of the game, discipline, penalty count, exiting. Forwards see it differently. 'And that's really good to have because we can't all just say the same thing.' DB: 'What we've been good at as well – and I think probably matching our personalities as players and ROG now as a coach – is that we're quite happy to not have the same opinion on something. 'I think if every pundit or commentator had the same opinion on things, it'd be a pretty boring show and it would be pretty uneventful. And also, it wouldn't be real because not everyone's got the same opinions on things. 'We haven't been afraid to disagree, or just have different opinions. MH: 'We said, 'When these disagreements come up, just don't argue.' And I didn't think that was ever going to be the case given the chemistry and the friendship that was already there. Respectful disagreement is such a comfortable thing, it's quite an exciting thing to listen to. 'I think when people start to argue on television, I find that a bit awkward. You're in someone's living room and you don't want to introduce that sort of angst to their life.' DB: 'We're very fortunate that we've had Miles alongside us as the best in the business for the last… you tell me, Miles.' MH: 'Easy, easy!' DB: 'I didn't want to put a number on it! But it gives me confidence to know that, right, if you're losing your way a little bit, you've got a really good guy to fall back on and guide you. 'We're coming from a very high standard of playing and coaching, but we're at the very beginning of this journey compared to Miles. So we're sort of saying, 'Look, you're in charge here and if you think we're talking too much, just tell us to shut up. If you need us to come in more and be more forceful, just tell us. We've come into this with no ego whatsoever. Sam Warburton provides comments from back in studio in the UK. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo ROG: 'That's the beauty of it. Miles has a way of operating that we respect. How do I explain this? It's not all kamikaze-style, speak whenever you want. He has very succinct, hidden rules in the commentary box, which is gold. 'So the can of Coke is the red card. 'If he puts the can of Coke up in the air, it's him who will speak.' MH: 'Well, it was your idea, not mine.' ROG: 'Because when you're coaching, the least intelligent person in the room needs to understand when you're making points. So for me, just simplify it. Clear and simple. 'For example, at the start, because I've no experience, I didn't appreciate that you need to hear the TMO, so you can't speak when it's TMO time. 'Then when the ball is in action, once or twice, I've been telling stories. And I'm carried away with a good story but this isn't the time for it. And then you get used to it because you only need a little bit of a clip once and then you're kind of back on it. 'Miles has had one mishap on tour. He's had one mistake in one game that I nailed him on!' MH: 'You looked so happy.' DB: 'It was Fin Smith.' ROG: 'And he said Finn Russell.' MH: 'I said Finn Russell put it into touch, it was Fin Smith.' DB: 'It was the moment we've been waiting for all tour.' ROG: 'We pounced!' MH: 'You were like vultures.' ROG: 'The two lads are unbelievably professional. You know, I'm absolutely shocked because normally players who retire are in a mourning period, but Dan is onto the next thing. 'My bread and butter is rugby. With all due respect, that's what I care a lot about – coaching. And that's when I'm organised and I have a routine and this was complete bonus territory for me in the fact that another of the reasons I did this was that I'd be able to go and meet rugby league coaches here in Australia. 'The lads are highly prepared but because of what I do, I'm rugby from 7am to 10pm every day, so it's very normal for me. It's what I do. The viewer might think, 'That's very interesting information,' but I've been doing this since the age of 18, which is 30 years.' MH: 'You chuck in all the stuff that they hear in their headphones, and I think that's the biggest challenge for an ex-player moving into this world of broadcasting. There's so much to listen to.' DB: 'I remember the first couple of times you've got people talking in your ear and you lose your train of thought, where you're going with things, but now you can just turn them down a little bit. 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I think football over the years has used the manager very well, and I don't think rugby has. 'We've got a guy who's just out of the game, literally just out of the game, who's clearly made for broadcasting and has made an unbelievably quick transition into it. And we've got another guy who is still very much in the game, but has the total and utter credibility as a player and as a coach as well, and I think as a combination or as a team that really is what excited me so much.' DB: 'We have had fun. And that tends to show in work and life, doesn't it?' MH: 'I knew it would be fun.' ROG: 'That saying is so apt – if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.'
Irish Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Michaella McCollum of the Peru Two breaks silence ahead of Celebrity SAS debut
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