rTE announcers program changes.
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Tony Scanlon
Dec 12, 2025, 5:32:53 PM (2 days ago) Dec 12
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"RTÉ announces changes to Fair City, Late Late Show and Lotto
02:00, 11 Dec 2025
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Director General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst(Image: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos)
RTÉ's Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, has revealed that RTÉ is contemplating a series of programming changes - with Fair City amongst the shows impacted.
Addressing the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport today, Mr Bakhurst outlined that RTÉ continues to pursue cost reductions, which involves modifications to several well-known programmes.
Fair City is amongst the programmes being affected, with Mr Bakhurst indicating that production of the soap opera may be contracted out to external production companies, rather than being filmed and produced by RTÉ on its premises.
The Director General also confirmed plans to outsource the Lotto, stating it's costly to produce. They're also examining whether it's viable to continue producing The Late Late Show internally.
Nevertheless, Mr Bakhurst emphasised that RTÉ remains dedicated to producing radio, sport, news and current affairs, reports RSVP Live.
"We've already talked about Fair City and The Late Late publicly, and we're doing feasibility on those," Kevin said.
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"On Fair City, we spent this year talking about the logistics of it, the planning of it, there's a number of reasons why we are moving it out there. One of the reasons is we need to reduce our presence on Donnybrook in the long run, where we won't be able to make Fair City in Donnybrook in the long run.
"The first point is we will have to make it off site. The second thing we're looking at is how we do that. We've spoken to the unions about this along the way, and staff who are involved obviously. We are exploring different options about how we do it. We're going to have to make it off site.
"Is it made fully by an independent [production company], is it a hybrid model, do RTÉ people go work in an independent, these are all options we would look at. We need to get into a position by spring next year to have a basic document about what we will be looking for from any independent production company who may want to make it. Their model for it, the costs of doing it, where they would do it and so on."
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Fair City set at the RTE Campus in Donnybrook (Stock)(Image: Collins Photo Agency)
Mr Bakhurst revealed that at least seven or eight high-quality independent production companies have shown interest in Fair City.
"The Lotto will be going out because that costs us a lot of money to do, and there's a better way to do it, and it also enables us to let a few more people leave who we couldn't leave this year," he added.
Mr Bakhurst also provided information about RTÉ's redundancy programme. He explained that workforce reductions are necessary to achieve RTÉ's cost-cutting objectives.
Approximately 95 people have departed RTÉ this year, consisting of 65 voluntary departures and around 30 resignations and retirements.
The broadcaster has pledged to reduce its workforce by 400 people over the next five years. A further redundancy round is scheduled for next year.
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02:00, 11 Dec 2025
View 2 Images
Director General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst(Image: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos)
RTÉ's Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, has revealed that RTÉ is contemplating a series of programming changes - with Fair City amongst the shows impacted.
Addressing the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport today, Mr Bakhurst outlined that RTÉ continues to pursue cost reductions, which involves modifications to several well-known programmes.
Fair City is amongst the programmes being affected, with Mr Bakhurst indicating that production of the soap opera may be contracted out to external production companies, rather than being filmed and produced by RTÉ on its premises.
The Director General also confirmed plans to outsource the Lotto, stating it's costly to produce. They're also examining whether it's viable to continue producing The Late Late Show internally.
Nevertheless, Mr Bakhurst emphasised that RTÉ remains dedicated to producing radio, sport, news and current affairs, reports RSVP Live.
"We've already talked about Fair City and The Late Late publicly, and we're doing feasibility on those," Kevin said.
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Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
"On Fair City, we spent this year talking about the logistics of it, the planning of it, there's a number of reasons why we are moving it out there. One of the reasons is we need to reduce our presence on Donnybrook in the long run, where we won't be able to make Fair City in Donnybrook in the long run.
"The first point is we will have to make it off site. The second thing we're looking at is how we do that. We've spoken to the unions about this along the way, and staff who are involved obviously. We are exploring different options about how we do it. We're going to have to make it off site.
"Is it made fully by an independent [production company], is it a hybrid model, do RTÉ people go work in an independent, these are all options we would look at. We need to get into a position by spring next year to have a basic document about what we will be looking for from any independent production company who may want to make it. Their model for it, the costs of doing it, where they would do it and so on."
View 2 Images
Fair City set at the RTE Campus in Donnybrook (Stock)(Image: Collins Photo Agency)
Mr Bakhurst revealed that at least seven or eight high-quality independent production companies have shown interest in Fair City.
"The Lotto will be going out because that costs us a lot of money to do, and there's a better way to do it, and it also enables us to let a few more people leave who we couldn't leave this year," he added.
Mr Bakhurst also provided information about RTÉ's redundancy programme. He explained that workforce reductions are necessary to achieve RTÉ's cost-cutting objectives.
Approximately 95 people have departed RTÉ this year, consisting of 65 voluntary departures and around 30 resignations and retirements.
The broadcaster has pledged to reduce its workforce by 400 people over the next five years. A further redundancy round is scheduled for next year.
Article continues below
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage."
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