Will a new direction for RTÉ ensure the broadcaster’s long-term future?

On this week’s episode of Inside Business, host Ciarán Hancock is joined by Irish Times journalist Laura Slattery to discuss the latest twist in the RTÉ saga. A new strategic report, entitled ‘A New Direction for RTÉ’, has been delivered to the government by director general Kevin Bakhurst, it outlines a range of changes designed to get the broadcaster back on a sound financial footing. The main takeaway for RTÉ staff will be the 400 job cuts being sought by 2028, representing a 20 per cent reduction in headcount.

It’s not all bad news for RTÉ with Government confirming it will give the broadcaster an additional €56 million in funding between now and the end of 2024.

Also on the podcast, Ciara O’Brien is on the line from Lisbon for the first full day of the Web Summit tech conference. The run-up to this year’s event was complicated by the withdrawal of a number of partners and exhibitors following comments by cofounder and former CEO of Web Summit Paddy Cosgrave on social media about Israel’s military action in Gaza. So, was the usual buzz still there, or did it feel like any other tech conference?

Produced by John Casey, with JJ Vernon on sound.