Ireland’s RTÉ has confirmed a five year plan to make ground-breaking changes to its services, ahead of expected changes to how the broadcaster is financed.
- New online channels to launch on RTÉ Player.
- Wholesale changes to RTÉ linear TV schedules in 2026.
- Confirmation of closure of RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, 2XM, Pulse and RTÉjr Radio this year.
- RTÉ to move more productions to Cork.
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst has outlined the broadcaster’s strategy for the next five years, aiming to draw a line under a series of scandals that resulted in the departure of his predecessor.
The broadcaster will be cutting 20% of its staff and will move production of some shows “off site”, potentially to independent production companies. Meanwhile, RTÉ will more productions to Cork and launch two new apps – Audio and News. The current Cork studio is due to be sold with an eye to potential new premises that will support RTÉ growing presence there. Meanwhile, in Dublin, RTÉ will build new studios.
By 2027, 50% of all non-live television content, such as documentaries and drama series, will be made available on the RTÉ Player first.
In tandem with the change, RTÉ plans to revamp its two main linear channels RTÉ One and RTÉ2 from 2026 with refreshed new schedules. The new schedules will feature “cultural events of scale”, meaning major live TV events will become more of a cornerstone of linear TV schedules.
New online channels
Between 2027 and 2029, RTÉ plans to launch new online channels via RTÉ Player. These include RTÉ as Gaeilge and RTÉ Archives. They’ll also be an new online RTÉ ISL (Irish Sign Language) channel.
In the same timeframe, and as previously announced, RTÉ will close timeshift channels RTÉ One+1 and RTÉ2+1.
New apps
The new RTÉ Audio app and RTÉ News app will launch next year. The broadcaster promises to offer audiences “an enhanced content and user experience.”
RTÉ Player revamp
As part of plans to improve RTÉ online services, the broadcaster has also promised an overhaul of its main streaming service for 2026. Before then, RTÉ will launch a sign-in requirement for all RTÉ Player users.
Changes to RTÉ Player will include a redesigned user interface, with increased personalisation and new features including Live Restart. Before then, RTÉ will begin to require users sign in to use the Player and benefit from personalisation.
The total catalogue of content available to audiences will be across all genres, including drama, documentary, kids, entertainment, and will reach over 6,000 hours in 2026, building towards a goal of 7,000 by 2029.
RTÉ also promised “a 100% increase in the hours of children’s content available in safe ad-free environment on RTÉ Player.”
Radio closures
Four digital-only stations will close before the end of this year. RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse and RTÉjr radio will disappear ahead of RTÉ launching “refreshed content” within the new RTÉ Audio app.
Funding
In September, legislation setting out how the broadcaster is funded will be published. The current licence fee system was gradually undermined by more households refusing to pay the fee.
In the meantime, the Irish Government has released the final €20 million of interim funding to RTÉ.
By: Marc Thornham