RTE to slash 400 jobs with plans to relocate Fair City and The Late Late Show

RTE plans to cut 400 jobs and move production of programmes, including Fair City and The Late Late Show, from Montrose.

Director General Kevin Bakhurst also said it is continuing to look at relocating to a smaller site in Dublin. However, this does not mean RTE intends to sell its Donnybrook campus, as it plans to build new studios.

Montrose chiefs also said they would close four digital radio stations, limit presenter’s salaries and launch two new apps in a bid to secure a €20million bailout from the Government as part of the embattled station’s five-year plan. The broadcaster is now embarking on a five-year plan to “build a strong, modern RTE”.

Read more: ‘Dedication’ of RTE staff being overlooked on anniversary of scandal, says Kevin Bakhurst

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Hundreds of jobs are set to be cut through a phased Voluntary Exit Programme, which is expected to cost around €50million. The cuts are part of RTE’s New Direction Strategy, which Mr Bakhurst has described as a “transformational vision”.

He said: “This is about ensuring the future and relevance of a transformed RTE.

“It is about delivering a strong and independent public service, available to everyone; it is about creating a trusted organisation delivering for Irish audiences.

“It is ambitious – but it is deliverable.” The plan also reveals RTE will close four digital radio services and launching two new apps – one for news and one for audio.

The report says RTE One +1 and RTE2 +1 will close as this content will be available more widely on-demand.

By 2027, the station plans to “digitally transform the newsroom bringing new ways of immersive storytelling, using new tools and new ways of working”.

Mr Bakhurst said: “We cannot deliver this plan alone. Funding reform is critical to protect public service media.

“We will continue to need the outstanding support of staff, our partners in the independent sector and the range of organisations we work with.”

RTE was plunged into crisis last year after it admitted understating the fees for its star presenter and previous top-earner Ryan Tubridy by €345,000.

It also came under pressure after a barter account revealed lavish spending on concert and sports tickets and membership to exclusive London clubs.

RTE chairman Terence O’Rourke said: “Public Service media is facing fundamental challenges.

“RTE is not immune to this and throughout its long history it has adapted.”

Media Minister Catherine Martin said: “Reform of governance and internal controls is paramount in RTE’s ongoing efforts to restore the trust which was so badly damaged in the past year.”

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