Major cuts announced at RTÉ

Irish broadcaster to cut digital radio, teletext, close studios and sell off its TV studios.



RTÉ is having to cut costs by €60million over the next three years.

This morning, the broadcaster has confirmed the extent of cuts that will be required.

Digital radio stations RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse, RTÉ Gold, RTÉjr Radio and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra will cease.

RTÉ teletext service Aertel will be axed, following in the footsteps of the BBC, which is also closing its text service.

TV listings magazine RTÉ Guide will be sold off and RTÉ studios in Limerick will close.

Other changes include the movement of major sporting coverage to RTÉ One, an increase in TV specials and big events, and the enhancing of on-demand content on the RTÉ Player.

200 jobs will go and some remaining staff members will have their pay cut. The fees paid to top contracted on-air presenters are to be cut by 15% .

Full details of the cuts were due to be released next week, but many details were revealed following a leak to the Irish Times.

The cuts are required following a fall in TV licence and advertising revenues and follow years of losses at RTÉ.