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RT\u00c9 has confirmed it will make use of the Government\u2019s Covid-19 temporary wage subsidy scheme.<\/p>\nRT\u00c9 has confirmed it will make use of the Government\u2019s Covid-19 temporary wage subsidy scheme.<\/p>\n
The scheme is available to employers who have lost a minimum of 25% of turnover because of the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the broadcaster said it is seeing \u201csignificant declines in TV licence revenue and commercial income\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike many companies and organisations, RT\u00c9 has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. RT\u00c9 is seeing significant declines in TV licence revenue and in our commercial revenue.<\/p>\n
\u201cRT\u00c9 was already implementing cost-cutting measures as part of our revised strategy, so these declines have put further pressure on finances at a time when the need to provide vital news, information and entertainment to the public is more crucial more than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRT\u00c9 will avail of the Government\u2019s Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme and is engaged in a dialogue with Government on a range of issues at present including the public health crisis, additional emergency measures and longer-termed structural reforms necessary to sustain public broadcasting beyond the crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n
RT\u00c9 director general Dee Forbes said: \u201cWith both revenue streams seeing large declines, we are forecasting that these revenues could be reduced by 25% \u2013 35% for the year.\u201d<\/p>\n
RT\u00c9 announced last year it is seeking to cut its workforce by 200 as one of a series of measures to improve its financial position and reduce costs by \u20ac60m over the next three years.<\/p>\n
Salaries for the 10 highest paid RT\u00c9 presenters, who mainly work as contractors rather than staff, added up to \u20ac3m in 2016.<\/p>\n
The broadcaster also pledged to reduce the fees paid to their top contracted on-air presenters by 15%, which it said is in addition to cuts of more than 30% agreed in previous years.<\/p>\n