RTE is bracing itself for resignations of top executives for the first time in the ongoing Tubridy secret payments scandal after the station has admitted discovering more shocking spending irregularities in its accounts.
"RTÉ generates a significant portion of its commercial revenue through the sale of advertising. This is done primarily through media agencies who each act on behalf of a portfolio of clients. This enables RTÉ to maximise revenue in an efficient and effective manner." The RTE spokesperson raised three further points in a broader financial context, including the fact that RTÉ is a dual-funded public service media provider, meaning that it derives its funding from both television licence fee and commercial revenue.
"In addition, the advertising market in Ireland is highly competitive. RTÉ competes with over forty channels for television advertising alone, over forty radio stations and thousands of online operators. As outlined above, in 2022, commercial income represented 44% of RTÉ’s funding; that is almost half of the cost of fulfilling its public service objectives," a statement read.
“There is now an existential threat to our national broadcaster, and we cannot allow it to implode on itself. News breaking this evening that at least one more barter account is in use in the organisation is shocking for the public and gut-wrenching for workers at RTÉ who have fought with management for additional crews and resources.