Virgin Media warns of programme cuts and job losses without injection of State funding
Virgin Media has warned of a potential loss of jobs and cuts to popular programmes without further State funding.
The broadcaster told the Oireachtas Media Committee that it has concerns as to whether it can continue to deliver public service programming at its current output if its funding remains at the same level.
In March 2024, Virgin Media had sought €30m in funding for its news, current affairs, and daytime programming but received nothing, managing director Áine Ní Chaoindealbháin said.
As a result, it was forced to make some "difficult decisions" in terms of programming due to its commercial situation.
The decision was taken last year to reduce The Tonight Show from four nights a week to two, which Ms Ní Chaoindealbháin said resulted in job losses.
The station produces 36.5 hours of live public service content a week in addition to commissions and acquisitions, the committee heard.
Virgin Media Television is the only Section 70 licence operator in the country and was the only one to apply for it when it was brought in.
Ms Ní Chaoindealbháin said this is because it is not an attractive proposition, "it is far easier to come in and not to have the onerous task of doing news and current affairs".
This is not simply a matter of funding; it is a matter of underpinning the presence and depth of Irish public service broadcasting in Ireland for the future.
Meanwhile, committee chair Alan Kelly has criticised the media minister Patrick O'Donovan's "unilateral" decision to block plans to introduce a streaming levy.
Screen Producers Ireland CEO Susan Kirby said she felt "shocked and deflated" on learning the minister's decision.
"Deflated because it had been an industry-wide effort over a number of years and there was a lot of benefit by actually working together as an industry in that way," said Ms Kirby.
"I will also say that we felt a degree of pragmatism because we are not immune to looking at the geopolitical environment and saying, ok potentially a bad time for what we believe is still a very important and good idea."
The legislation was also criticised for its lack of clarity surrounding additionality as Mr Kelly said even after going through the legislation "upside down and inside out" the committee is still unsure of what the rules are.
There are concerns that, as it is written now, broadcasters could withdraw public content only to later reintroduce it because then it may qualify for funding as a result.
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Sustainable funding essential to ensure future of public service media, say broadcasters
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