Virgin Media seeks 30m from licence fee for public service output [Video]

RTÉ’S main rival has written to the Government to seek a €30m slice of the TV licence fee pie, writes John Lee.

In a hard-hitting letter to media minister Catherine Martin, Virgin Media managing director Áine Ní Chaoindealbháin said: “The continued funding of RTÉ by Government, despite manifest governance issues, distorts competition and fuels an unfair commercial market that is unsustainable.”

Ní Chaoindealbháin warned that the station will need State funding to continue to provide public broadcasting services.

“As the only Irish linear and digital broadcaster with a Public Service Broadcasting licence and remit, we believe that the full funding of Virgin Media Television’s €30m Public Service Broadcasting content budget is a viable and necessary model to follow,” she argues.

Justifying the request, the letter highlights that public service media is more than just RTÉ and TG4. “It includes Virgin Media Television, radio, newspapers and other outlets covering news and public affairs on a daily basis.”

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