1. Public Broadcasting Trends from Ireland Helen Shaw – Athena Media September 10 th SABC

2. Commercial but public…. RTE began as state radio in 1926RTE began as state radio in 1926 From day one carried advertisementFrom day one carried advertisement By 1961 RTE had become a public broadcasting company with both radio and TVBy 1961 RTE had become a public broadcasting company with both radio and TV Today it has 50:50 commercial and public funding from the TV licence feeToday it has 50:50 commercial and public funding from the TV licence fee Supporting 4 national 24/7 radio stations and 2 TV stationsSupporting 4 national 24/7 radio stations and 2 TV stations

3. Revenue: survival and independence Irish TV licence fee increased by 20% end of 2002 following long campaign by RTEIrish TV licence fee increased by 20% end of 2002 following long campaign by RTE Annual TV licence is now E 152 a yearAnnual TV licence is now E 152 a year RTE budget is over E300 millionRTE budget is over E300 million 4 million population4 million population RTE remains the most commercially funded public broadcaster in EuropeRTE remains the most commercially funded public broadcaster in Europe

4. Country Public broadcastersPercentage of funds from commercial revenues (advertising and other revenues) New ZealandTVNZ75% IrelandRTE60% ItalyRAI50% CanadaCBC40% FranceFR2/FR3/ARTE35% NetherlandsNOS26% GermanyARD/ZDF15% UKBBC 5% [1 Sources: Broadcasters annual reports and Oliver and Ohlbaum Associates (2004)[1][1] Public broadcasters+ commercial revenue

5. The battle for funding…. The Broadcasting Forum – 2002The Broadcasting Forum – 2002 TV licence fee increase came with changeTV licence fee increase came with change Audience Council – public participationAudience Council – public participation RTE Public Charter – issued mid 2004RTE Public Charter – issued mid 2004 RTEs annual public commitmentsRTEs annual public commitments transparency and accountability audittransparency and accountability audit

6. Challenges….. Dutch model – return to exchequerDutch model – return to exchequer Portugal – low audiences/elite outputPortugal – low audiences/elite output BBC – mass audiences, broad and wide reach based on CharterBBC – mass audiences, broad and wide reach based on Charter BBC sees fragility of TV licence fee in fragmented digital media environmentBBC sees fragility of TV licence fee in fragmented digital media environment How can public be asked to pay a tax on TV sets when many now get content direct from satellite – what is the justification?How can public be asked to pay a tax on TV sets when many now get content direct from satellite – what is the justification?

7. Radio JNLR 2004 RTE 42% share - National Any Regional/Local48%+4 RTÉ Radio 124% RTÉ 2FM17% Today FM9% RTÉ Lyric FM1%Same

8. Share of TV market under 35s Share of TV market under 35s Increased no. of digital homes World Cup 2002 Deal with Warner Bros will increase movies

9. Emerging model Public media content creates social, democratic and political valuePublic media content creates social, democratic and political value Dual funded with public safeguardsDual funded with public safeguards TV licence may be replaced by public content taxTV licence may be replaced by public content tax This public content income may be shared on the basis of content criteriaThis public content income may be shared on the basis of content criteria The Broadcasting Fund - ACCESSThe Broadcasting Fund - ACCESS

10. Challenges Public media content fund requires public to trust public media – independencePublic media content fund requires public to trust public media – independence Spreading public funds may spread content ideas but can weaken public structureSpreading public funds may spread content ideas but can weaken public structure In a new media environment traditional thinking will prove a block – Danes leading on envisaging the future of contentIn a new media environment traditional thinking will prove a block – Danes leading on envisaging the future of content

11. Managing the future of public media Strengthen public accountabilityStrengthen public accountability Maintain political independenceMaintain political independence Think content not mediumThink content not medium Put public ethos before commercePut public ethos before commerce Public broadcasting should be popular…but distinctivePublic broadcasting should be popular…but distinctive Quality and innovation definesQuality and innovation defines

12. Public Broadcasting Trends from Ireland Helen Shaw – Athena Media September 10 th SABC

13. Public Broadcasting Trends from Ireland Helen Shaw – Athena Media 10/9/04 SABC - Johannesburg