Operation Transformation producer says RTÉ made 'a mistake' in cancelling the show
Kathryn Thomas (centre) and the 2024 Operation Transformation team
The MD of the independent production firm that produced ratings hit, Operation Transformation has said that RTÉ has made “a mistake” in cancelling the show.
Philip Kampff made the observation when commenting on new accounts for his firm Vision Independent Productions Ltd showing that the company recorded post tax profits of €158,740 in the 12 months to the end of September last.
The post tax profits of €158,740 followed a post tax loss of €32,468 in the prior year.
At the end of September last, the firm had accumulated profits of €1.048m.
In May, RTÉ cancelled the firm's Operation Transformation after 17 seasons and commenting on the show’s impact, Mr Kampff said: "As a population based health initiative it's hard to beat.
He said that Operation Transformation “was the most public service show RTÉ had that delivered value beyond being a TV show and I think they have made a mistake but I also appreciate we got to do it for 17 seasons.” He pointed out that based on a survey carried out by Healthy Ireland "70% of the people who watched it were inspired to do something to improve their health and 25% lost weight”.
Mr Kampff said that audience figures for last season’s Operation Transformation show that nothing has matched Operation Transformation over eight weeks in its Wednesday slot.
The figures for the most recent season show that the programme - fronted by Kathryn Thomas - enjoyed a peak audience in Episode 3 of 302,000 that equated to an audience share of 29.14 with the final episode attracting an audience of 278,000.
Asked what reasons RTÉ gave for cancelling the show, Mr Kampff said: “They felt it had run its course which is understandable.” On selling the formula overseas, Mr Kampff said: “It's a very Irish show, the furthest it went was Wales.” It is not an option for Mr Kampff to pitch the show to the likes of Virgin here as RTÉ owns a share of the format.
Mr Kampff said: ”We've always made sure we were not dependent on one show” and during the run of Operation Transformation, the company also made The Restaurant, Super Garden, Clinic For Well People and Showhouse Showdown.
Asked what impact the crisis at RTÉ has had, Mr Kampff said: “It has slowed everything down. Lots of freelancers are struggling and good experienced people are leaving the sector.” Asked how best the independent sector should be funded, Mr Kampff said: “The debate about the future of Public Service content should not be about RTÉ.
He said: “It’s taking the focus off what really needs to happen if we are to plan for a future where future generations have access to publicly funded content on platforms where they consume content."
He said: “If we remove RTÉ from that debate we have a chance to really look at how we can continue to tell Irish stories, reflect contemporary Ireland and have a shared evolving culture. This is more important than the survival of independent production companies or RTÉ or Virgin.” Mr Kampff said that the company’s www.twinstrangers.net website now has 11.99 million people registered on the site “and continues to grow and is turning a profit”.
He added: “We have just completed a second series of The Clinic For Well People for Virgin and ITV are distributing the format."
Asked how the business is performing this year, Mr Kampff said: “Exciting and scary as we negotiate our way through a time of great change.”



