RTÉ to outsource young people’s TV programming

RTÉ has confirmed it is to outsource all of its young people’s TV programming to the independent sector.

TV programmes produced for young children and teenagers, such as Swipe TV and some of the shows on the RTÉ Jr channel, will be outsourced to independent production companies.

A RTÉ spokeswoman said it was making changes due to the “challenging financial environment, and so as to achieve stronger efficiencies and value for money”.

“After an examination of all output, a decision has been made to commission all young people’s programmes from the independent sector, enabling RTÉ to meet its statutory committed spend in the sector and reducing operating costs internally. RTÉ is not reducing its commitment to younger people’s programmes, nor its spend,” said the spokeswoman.

RTÉ is projected to record a deficit of as much as €20 million this year, following a €2.8 million deficit in 2015.

Its personnel costs rose €11.3 million last year, with the number of people employed by the broadcaster increasing.

As of the end of 2015, it had 1,978 employees, with 285 of this number working on a part-time or casual basis.

RTÉ has also invited staff to take incentivised career breaks during 2017 in a bid to cut its payroll costs.

The broadcaster has told employees they can apply for additional time off next year, on top of their annual leave, if they work in a role where they do not have to be replaced.