RTE planning hike in licence fee

VIEWERS face the prospect of paying more for their TV licence to help offset potential losses of €68 million at RTE.

The broadcasting authority also wants a crackdown on the estimated 14% of households who do not pay the licence fee, describing the percentage of defaulters as “high by international standards”.

RTE has urged the Government to allow it increase the licence fee from €160, which would be the first increase in three years.