Latest news with #ex-RTÉ
Irish Independent
10-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
TV exec warns against RTÉ ‘back-sliding' on agreed €56m spend in independent sector
That is according to ex-RTÉ board member and TV industry veteran Stuart Switzer, who was commenting on RTÉ Independent Productions Annual Report 2024, which shows that the direct spend to independent production firms last year increased by €2.4m, or 5pc, from €44.95m to €47.37m. When the RTÉ overhead of €1.39m is factored in, the total spend in 2024 was €48.77m. 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.
Extra.ie
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Possible run for Áras by Joe Duffy has big parties spooked
The major political parties are preparing to significantly 'recalibrate' their election strategies should Joe Duffy decide on an Áras run. Amid growing speculation that Labour is considering recruiting the former Liveline host, senior sources from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael indicated they would be reluctant to challenge the popular ex-RTÉ presenter. Former government minister Mary Hanafin, speaking on RTÉ yesterday, made a strong play for the nomination, noting she would 'like to bring 30 years of public service, at local and national level, to the job'. Mary Hanafin. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin. She said: 'The Taoiseach knows me well and knows my record in government.' She added that she has spoken to Micheál Martin about her desire to run for president, adding that he listened, but there have been no commitments. It has also emerged that former junior minister Peter Power has held secret discussions with the Fianna Fáil leadership about putting his name forward. One senior Fianna Fáil source said: 'If talk to Joe runs, those ships are sunk. We would not be at the races there, not even the starting gates.' Joe Duffy. Pic: RTE Political observers noted that Mr Duffy was somewhat coy on RTÉ this week on the issue of running for the presidency. One senior Government member said: 'The cock crowed about four times in that interview offering Joe a way to put that story to bed and he did not take the opportunity.' Though Labour was coy about the party's intentions, one Fine Gael minister said: 'He would be the perfect acquisition for Labour and the Social Democrats and if they were to acquire him, Sinn Féin would have to follow, even with gritted teeth, given they want a united left. 'It would make it very difficult for us. Joe Duffy. Pic: RTÉ 'We might even have to withdraw from the contest in the national interest. I'd love to be in a room when [party leader Simon] Harris is in a room explaining that to Mairead [McGuinness] or Seán Kelly.' One Government source added: 'This is the election no one wants to fight. So long as there are no presidential-type of scandals, Joe is elected by acclamation. His presence will spook away even the most stupid of candidates. 'The one problem we have is that Joe might be a bit working class for Labour, and he would definitely be too working class for the Social Democrats. He might even be a bit working class for the new Sinn Féin social democrats, but they will follow Labour and the Social Democrats to avoid an election.' Mairead McGuinness. Pic: Julien Warnand/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock As Fianna Fáil continue to struggle to find a viable candidate, one senior party source said: 'Duffy could be our great escape. Who knows, he could be selected by acclaim, and we mightn't need an election at all.' Another Fianna Fáil source added: 'Now if Fine Gael want to run Mairead on her own they can but we think Simon may have some explaining to do with Seán and Mairead yet. We'll leave that job to him. 'Micheál himself cited Joe's values as the voice of the people and his working-class values, sure he's closer to us than that Labour crew. Duffy is a big old political whale. The possibility of his candidacy is certainly creating a political chill. 'The blunt reality is that the likes of Éamon Ó Cuív, Mary Hanafin, Cynthia Ní Mhurchu and Peter Power, whoever he is, are in the 7%-10% stakes.' Commenting on the notoriously dangerous presidential race, one senior political source said: 'If he can survive 40 years in the snake pit that is RTÉ and leave carrying his shield, then he can manage a presidential campaign. 'He is home and hosed unless something emerges about an unpaid parking ticket. 'You would feel guilty about having an innocent run, but that's not the case with 'Talk to Joe', you would think.'
