RTE will start charging for some of its online content internationally in the coming months as part of a move into the premium online space, RTE director general has said. Speaking to journalism students at the UL, Curran said they will avoid news and general content but the focus will be on premium content over the next six to eight months as a way of keeping up with trends in the global broadcast market.
Curran, pictured above, said some of RTE’s leading broadcasters had been paid “too much” and warned that some of its top earners could see salaries cut by up to 40 per cent. RTE was committed to at least a 30 per cent cut in its top presenters fees. He said the biggest problem facing all media now was the question of how they should fund themselves. The high fees paid to top presenters was RTE’s fault.
Ryan Tubridy was the highest earner in 2010 and 2011 and was paid €643,333 and €723,500 respectively in those years. Tubridy took a 32 per cent cut last year, earning €495,000. Pat Kenny earned €630,000 in 2011. RTE has not disclosed his pay for 2012 as the terms are still under negotiation. But Kenny’s pay is expected to drop to €441,000. The biggest loser is radio presenter Marian Finucane, whose pay dropped from €491,770 in 2011 to €295,000, a cut of 40 per cent. It is the first time RTE included presenters’ pay from the previous year.
