27% drop in TV licence renewals in wake of RTÉ scandal

There has been a notable drop in the number of TV licences issued in the first week in July compared to the same time last year, with 11,241 licences issued compared to 15,432 in 2022, which represents a drop of 27% year-on-year.

The fall in TV licence numbers comes amid RTÉ suffering the fate any broadcaster wants to avoid; becoming the news story as opposed to reporting on one.

The drop off in TV licence fees has followed a major public outcry over RTÉ’s handling of the Ryan Tubridy affair, with comedian David McSavage calling for the licence fee system to be scrapped altogether.

Figures indicate that there was also a drop of 5,837 licence fee renewals for June, when the scandal started.

The licence figures were released by Minister for Media Catherine Martin in a reply to a parliamentary question raised Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin.

Responding to the release of the figures, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said he was “very grateful” to those who have continued to buy a TV licence in light of recent scandals at the station, adding that viewers “have every right to feel let down.”

The sharp drop off in renewals has led to lost revenue of €933,920 for the state broadcaster.

Deputy Griffin, who sits on the Oireachtas Committee on Media, says that a significant proportion of the population has lost confidence in RTÉ.

Bakhurst said the new leadership team was working hard to rebuild trust in the organisation and will continue to do so.

Minister Martin said officials at her department would continue to monitor the number of licences issued and the impact on TV licence fee receipts.

The total number of licences issued in June this year was 73,421, while this figure was 75,067 in 2022.

In the first week in July this year there were 11,241 licences issued compared to 15,432 last year.