Latest news with #RyanTubridy
Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Times
RTE loses €58m in licence fees after Ryan Tubridy scandal
RTE has lost more than €58 million in TV licence revenue since the fallout from the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal, according to new figures from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. Government sources have described the decline as 'the real cost of the collapse in public trust' in the national broadcaster with the scale of the loss dwarfing the RTE controversies, including the €2.2 million lost on Toy Show the Musical, the €3.3 million in executive exit packages and the €345,000 in undisclosed payments made to Tubridy. The department's figures compare first-time sales and renewals of TV licenses, which cost €160 a year, from July 2021 to June 2023 with those from July 2023 to June 2025, after the emergence of the Tubridy controversy in mid-2023. Between July 2021 and June 2023, RTE collected €306 million in licence revenue. Over the following two-year period that figure dropped by €58.4 million to €247.6 million. In that time, licence transactions fell by more than 365,000, from 1,912,500 to 1,547,357. An Post, which is responsible for collecting the annual fee, said the revenue fall stemmed from a range of factors but acknowledged: 'The RTE payments issue has also had an impact on TV licence sales and renewals.' A shrinking pool of potential licence holders is contributing to the loss, due to both changing media consumption and rising eligibility for free licences under the Department of Social Protection (DSP). 'An ever-increasing number of people are entitled to a DSP free licence,' An Post said. 'Just under half of the database is now made up of addresses either entitled to free licences or listed as having 'no TV'.' An Post is collaborating with the government's TV licence technical working group to overhaul the licence collection system. As The Sunday Times previously reported, An Post submitted a report in July last year outlining proposed reforms. Among the proposals: commercial premises such as hotels, bookmakers and bars would pay €169.50 for the first 15 screens, and the same amount for every additional five screens. Property owners, rather than tenants or occupiers, would become liable for payment — a change An Post estimates could improve compliance by up to 20 per cent. Patrick O'Donovan, the arts and media minister, is expecting to receive a report in mid-November on reforms and enhancements to the TV licence model from the taskforce; once he has considered it, he will decide next steps. The government's decision to retain the current TV licence system last year proved controversial, particularly as the Future of Media Commission had recommended its abolition and replacement with a new public funding model. Kevin Bakhurst, the RTE director-general, has previously described the TV licence model as 'broken' and warned it was no longer a sustainable source of funding. Despite the overall drop, the latest figures show a modest improvement: from 761,762 transactions between July 2023 and June last year to 785,595 in the following 12 months — a year-on-year increase of 23,833. However, this still represents a sharp fall from the 947,999 transactions recorded in the 12 months leading to June 2023 — a decline of 162,404. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Bakhurst welcomed the recent uptick in payments but stressed the need for long-term stability. 'We remain grateful to the vast majority of the audience who have paid their TV licences and are encouraged by the recent increase in the number paying compared to last year,' he said. 'We have made very significant changes to the way RTE is run and will continue to do everything we can to demonstrate to licence fee payers that for around €3 a week, they are getting great programmes and content across TV, radio and online — and receiving value for money. 'It is incredibly important that we now have multi-annual funding for three years. That allows us to deliver the ambitious strategy, plan programmes and commission them over that period.' Bakhurst also pointed out that the TV licence fee had remained unchanged at €160 since 2008.
Extra.ie
20-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Ryan Tubridy: Trips to Limerick and Cork remind me how I enjoy Irish hospitality
One of the great things about spending so much time in London is an enhanced appreciation of and for Irish hospitality. I marvel at the way Irish hotels (especially family concerns) are run with such warmth, passion and customer care. In my experience, this doesn't exist in great abundance in the UK. That isn't to say the British experience isn't polished and professional. It simply lacks warmth, an intangible resource that Irish hospitality has to its fingertips. Ryan Tubridy. Pic: Nick Edwards I landed at the perfectly formed and extraordinarily well-run Shannon Airport on Wednesday evening (after an impeccable flight with Aer Lingus, whose staff remain the best I've ever flown with, bar none) and from the get-go, the warmth I'm talking about was obvious. I bumped into some staff on my way to the car park, and they were beaming with happiness and so professional in the way they carried themselves. I had the loveliest chat with Mike, who took me to my hotel in Limerick. Along the way, we chatted about the landmarks, from Bunratty Castle and Durty Nelly's to the River Shannon and King John's Castle. We covered the current political scene in both Ireland and America before our brief but enjoyable journey came to an end as we landed at the Savoy, a beautiful, central and modern hotel in the heart of the city. Ryan Tubridy. Pic: Instagram/Ryan Tubridy I was greeted by the owners, Ronan and Anne Branigan, whose reputation for being among the best in their business precedes them with great justification. I was pretty late checking in, but found time to pop into O'Mahony's Bookshop, which has been in business for 100 years and is still thriving. I just about made it in time to say hi to the staff, who filled me in on what the big sellers are and how business is going in general (very well, thankfully). I did a radio show from the shop 15 years ago (I think!) so I always have a soft spot for the place, which remains a family-owned business, giving it that wonderful air of book-loving authenticity. Terry Wogan. Pic:From there, I strolled down by the riverside where I paid my respects to the Terry Wogan statue and, not too far away, the Richard Harris statue – two proud sons of Limerick, pictured above right, well remembered by the good people of the city. I also found time to pop into a tattoo parlour. Don't worry, I wasn't 'inked'. A tattooist got in touch with me on my Virgin radio show when he heard I was going to be in Limerick and asked me to pop into his pal if I was passing by, so I did and a selfie was had. (Thanks to Jake, who may still be in shock after he saw me coming through the door.) I asked Instagram followers (God, I hate that word in this context) for suggestions of things to do in Limerick, and I was inundated. I had to write a list and promise to return and spend more time here to properly visit the city. Ryan Tubridy. Pic: Nick Edwards I did manage an early morning run along the three bridges and the city was at its most beautiful and calm. We did the radio show from our sister station, Limerick Live 95, which was a great experience and allowed me to meet the cracking crew who populate that brilliant station. A quick visit to the Richard Harris exhibition at the Hunt Museum and a speedy tour of King John's Castle was all I could fit in but it was well worth the time. I was well looked after before I had to hop in a car and head for Cork city, where I had a very chilled afternoon reconnecting with a city I hadn't been in for years. I checked into the history nerd's favourite hotel, the Imperial, and then to dinner at Jacob's with the Cork 96 and Onic bosses, who filled me in on the comings and goings in the byzantine but never boring world of Irish radio. Pic: Ryan Tubridy/Instagram It was a lovely, convivial gathering and the word 'Sláinte' was heard many times, but I didn't hang around as I was on duty at Cork 96 the next morning, and I had a particularly big job the following night, so it was back to the Imperial with me in good time. The radio show went off without a hitch, and from there, I was on the road again, but this time, bound for beautiful Bantry and the West Cork Literary Festival. I'm a sucker for a book festival so when they asked me to come and interview Graham Norton on Friday night, I didn't put up an argument. We checked into the breathtaking Seaview House, where that welcome I've mentioned a few times in this diary was in evidence at every turn. Another family-run hotel, this time it was the gracious Ronan and Suzanne O'Sullivan who looked after our every need. My one regret was that it was only a one-night stay. After an early and thoroughly enjoyable dinner with friends, it was time to go and interrogate Graham, whom I've interviewed many times over the years and who treated me to a delicious lunch when I first landed in London. The event was sold out a long time ago, the place was packed, and the craic was mighty. Graham was in exceptionally good form, and the crowd lapped him up. Photos, chats and vino followed, and a tremendous night was had by all. Kudos to the festival organisers who pulled together a relaxed, easygoing and intriguing series of events. It's one that will run and run. From Bantry, it was back to Dublin to spend some time with the important women in my life, who I am happy to say are my favourite people in the world. I'll head back to London this evening, safe in the knowledge that family is king (and queen) when it comes to hospitality, hotels and the heart.
Irish Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Dozens of reforms recommended to RTÉ in wake of pay controversy have been delayed
Dozens of reforms recommended for RTÉ in the wake of the Ryan Tubridy payments controversy have been delayed, an interim report given to Cabinet has shown. The report, which was given to Ministers on Tuesday, monitors implementation of two reviews undertaken following the controversy, which made a wide range of recommendations for RTÉ and the Government. The report found that 36 recommendations identified by a review focused on governance and culture at the broadcaster have been delayed, with 40 achieved and two 'on track'. A total of 78 recommendations were made for RTÉ, and 15 for the Department of Media, while three concerned both bodies. READ MORE Of the 15 made for the Government, seven are being addressed through legislation, a spokesman said, with three more completed and one, on funding, dealt with last July. A further four are ongoing. A second report on contractor fees, HR and other matters identified legacy organisational, industrial relations and HR issues, recommending improvements in transparency and fairness. All 26 of its recommendations are for RTÉ. A Coalition spokesman said initial progress reports were 'limited', which prompted a meeting with RTÉ to discuss more detailed reporting. By the first quarter of this year two of the recommendations had been achieved, 12 are on track and 12 are delayed 'with potential impacts from industrial relations engagements'. Meanwhile, the Cabinet was also told that Ireland is vulnerable due to its reliance on the UK for EU data traffic. Minister for Communications Patrick O'Donovan updated the Government on international subsea telecommunications cables, outlining that the state relies on 14 subsea cables for 99 per cent of its data. He told Cabinet that US 'hyperscalers' – Amazon, Meta, Google and Microsoft – primarily drive new cable investments and account for 79 per cent of demand. Demand is expected to increase by 47 per cent by 2030, Ministers were told, with resilience crucial as accidental or malicious damage to multiple cables could cause a national-scale impact. Six of 14 cables are nearing the end of their life, which increases fault risk. Ireland's reliance on the UK for 90 per cent of EU data traffic is a vulnerability, a Government spokesman said, due to Brexit, and the need to route sensitive data via a third country as limited alternative exist via Denmark or Iceland.
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ryan Tubridy sits ‘centre court' at Wimbledon in smiling snaps as he basks in ‘sweltering' London heat
RYAN Tubridy looked dapper as he secured a "court side" spot at Wimbledon in the scorching heat. The former star Advertisement 2 Ryan Tubridy stepped out at Wimbledon 2025 2 Ryan shared snaps sitting 'court side' court for the semi-final match. The 52-year-old posted a clip of his incredible view to his Later on, the UK host made his way down to the court side to catch a glimpse of the action up close. The video of himself right behind the umpire seat . Advertisement READ MORE IN RYAN TUBRIDY The noise of the players hitting the ball could be heard perfectly as the crowd reacted accordingly to the intense match. Ryan captioned the clip: "The sights and sounds." The The popular presenter scrubbed up well as he donned a navy blazer, with a blue shirt and cream chinos. Advertisement Most read in News TV The host tied his look together with a vibrant striped tie and a pair of cool black sunglasses. Tubridy noted the "sweltering heat" on the day, as temperatures soared to 32C in London yesterday. Donncha O'Callaghan has Ryan Tubridy in stitches This comes after the former RTE star Ryan to his girlfriend Dr Claire Kambamettu during a romantic trip to the west of Ireland. Advertisement The couple privately in 2023, making their first public appearance together when Claire joined the broadcaster at the Irish Post Awards in . LOVEBIRDS Now, two and a half years on, the lovebirds are set to tie the knot and they couldn't be happier. Speaking about their engagement live on his Virgin Radio UK show, Tubridy gushed: "I'm a very, very lucky man, and I think it's one of those beautiful moments where the world feels lighter. "It's a very exciting time to be alive." Advertisement He added: "It's just the accumulation of a lot of lovely things happening, and I just decided now is the time. "More to follow in terms of details and all the rest of it, and by the more to follow, I mean I'll tell my family first."
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ryan Tubridy gushes over bride-to-be fiance live on air and swoons ‘I'm one lucky man'
RYAN Tubridy may have kept his relationship under wraps for over two years, but now the newly-engaged host can't help but gush over his bride-to-be. The former Late Late Show host Ireland . Advertisement 2 Ryan Tubridy and Dr Claire Kambamettu first met back in 2023 2 Tubridy and Kambamettu have been quietly dating ever since The couple Claire, who was crowned Radio One show in March 2023, where she spoke about the power of manifestation. Later that year, she was seen leaving his gated home in Dublin ahead of his relocation to London, fueling speculation that their relationship had become more serious. Now, two and a half years on, the lovebirds are set to tie the knot and they couldn't be happier. Advertisement READ MORE IN RYAN TUBRIDY Speaking about their engagement live on his UK show, "It's a very exciting time to be alive." He added: "It's just the accumulation of a lot of lovely things happening, and I just decided now is the time. "More to follow in terms of details and all the rest of it, and by the more to follow, I mean I'll tell my family first ." Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Ryan has always expressed his deep love for the west coast and his family ties to the region, making it a fitting backdrop for the couple's special moment. In his Mail on Sunday column, the popular presenter wrote: "By the Atlantic shore, I asked the important question and, thankfully, the answer was yes – and so began the most wonderful weekend. Ryan Tubridy honoured by celebrity pals after receiving major lifetime achievement "The staff and cheerful hotel guests helped make it all feel truly special." Smitten Dr Claire spoke about the gorgeous moment on The Rose Of Tralee podcast, calling it "a big shock". Advertisement She said: "Without saying too much, he had told me that he was going down to find out about how we would hire bicycles, when he was actually going to collect my engagement ring. RING OF DREAMS "I just thought nothing of it. I was like, 'Grand, thanks for doing that.' "So I don't know if I would have been more or less shocked to have an electric bike turn up in the hotel room." Claire also praised the broadcaster's choice of engagement ring and admitted she's a "little bit obsessed". Advertisement Tubridy chose a stunning 2.4 carat ring which has a centre diamond with an emerald cut with two tapered diamond baguettes on either side. He also opted to buy certified lab diamonds to eliminate any environmental worries.
