PwC weigh up case for RTÉ licence fee increase

Consultant Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) has started to examine RTÉ to see if the state broadcaster's performance merits an increase in the licence fee.

RTÉ will have to satisfy a range of stringent conditions over the next two weeks if it is to qualify for a licence fee increase in 2004.

Under terms agreed with the Government last December, RTÉ is entitled to an increase in line with inflation, currently running at 2.9%, but this can be adjusted downwards based on performance.

Among the functions to be examined by PwC will be the performance of RTÉ’s new independent business divisions; the station's promised programming output and its success in fundamentally re-structuring itself.

RTÉ is confident it has made major progress in these areas.