Profits at RTÉ fall despite rise in ad income

PROFITS at RTÉ fell by €2.2 million to just over €16.4m last year despite higher income from advertising and the licence fee.

The national broadcaster’s annual report for 2005 shows that it generated a surplus of €9.3m from its commercial activities, an increase of more than a third on 2004. But a reduced surplus in its employee pension fund offset the gains from its commercial arm.

At pre-tax level, RTÉ’s profits slipped from €10m to €9.2m.