Latest news with #NíChaoindealbháin
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Virgin Media warns of programme cuts and job losses without injection of State funding
Virgin Media has warned of a potential loss of jobs and cuts to popular programmes without further State funding. The broadcaster told the Oireachtas Media Committee that it has concerns as to whether it can continue to deliver public service programming at its current output if its funding remains at the same level. In March 2024, Virgin Media had sought €30m in funding for its news, current affairs, and daytime programming but received nothing, managing director Áine Ní Chaoindealbháin said. As a result, it was forced to make some "difficult decisions" in terms of programming due to its commercial situation. The decision was taken last year to reduce The Tonight Show from four nights a week to two, which Ms Ní Chaoindealbháin said resulted in job losses. The station produces 36.5 hours of live public service content a week in addition to commissions and acquisitions, the committee heard. Virgin Media Television is the only Section 70 licence operator in the country and was the only one to apply for it when it was brought in. Ms Ní Chaoindealbháin said this is because it is not an attractive proposition, "it is far easier to come in and not to have the onerous task of doing news and current affairs". This is not simply a matter of funding; it is a matter of underpinning the presence and depth of Irish public service broadcasting in Ireland for the future. Meanwhile, committee chair Alan Kelly has criticised the media minister Patrick O'Donovan's "unilateral" decision to block plans to introduce a streaming levy. Screen Producers Ireland CEO Susan Kirby said she felt "shocked and deflated" on learning the minister's decision. "Deflated because it had been an industry-wide effort over a number of years and there was a lot of benefit by actually working together as an industry in that way," said Ms Kirby. "I will also say that we felt a degree of pragmatism because we are not immune to looking at the geopolitical environment and saying, ok potentially a bad time for what we believe is still a very important and good idea." The legislation was also criticised for its lack of clarity surrounding additionality as Mr Kelly said even after going through the legislation "upside down and inside out" the committee is still unsure of what the rules are. There are concerns that, as it is written now, broadcasters could withdraw public content only to later reintroduce it because then it may qualify for funding as a result. Read More Sustainable funding essential to ensure future of public service media, say broadcasters
Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Sustainable funding essential to ensure future of public service media, say broadcasters
Multiannual, sustainable funding is essential to ensure the future of public service media, according to broadcasters. Ireland is currently among the bottom 10 of 46 countries included in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) with just 0.08% of GDP going towards public service media funding. The is below the EBU average of 0.14%. Director general of TG4, Deirdre Ní Choistín, will tell the Oireachtas media committee that any multiannual funding arrangement must be adequate, predictable and sustainable. Also appearing before the committee are representatives from Virgin Media Television, Screen Producers Ireland and the Community Television Association. The representatives have been invited to give their insights and input as part of pre-legislative scrutiny of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. Managing director of Virgin Media Television, Áine Ní Chaoindealbháin, will note that Virgin Media Television is entirely funded through advertising and commercial revenues and is the only Irish broadcaster with a public service content remit that is not in receipt of public funding. In her opening statement, Ms Ní Chaoindealbháin will tell the committee that delivering its public service remit on a purely commercial basis is not viable under current funding arrangements. While the proposed media fund is welcomed, Ms Ní Chaoindealbháin highlights that the funding allocation is based on additionality only and so the challenge to maintain its existing remit and output remains. Both TG4 and Virgin Media Television emphasise the importance of media plurality and diversity are crucial for a democratic society. The new platform-neutral media fund will see 25% of any new fund allocated to Irish language, something Ms Ní Choistín believes will strengthen TG4's work with the independent production sector and support Gaeltacht and regional employment. Proposals around funding are largely welcomed, however, Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) will raise concerns around new frameworks set out in the bill and whether it complies with the European Media Freedom Act. CEO of SPI Susan Kirby will also tell the committee that commissioning independently produced content on a year-round basis is essential for the successful development of the independent production sector.
