RTÉ presenter fees slashed by up to 67%

The fees RTÉ pays to its top talent have been slashed by up to 67% compared to their peak with Ryan Tubridy’s pay dropping from €723,500 in 2011 to €495,000 now.

Thu, 28 Mar, 2013 - 00:00

The broadcaster has released the fees paid to its top earners in 2010 and 2011, as well as the cuts it has negotiated in their contracts for 2012/2013.

The Late Late Show host and RTÉ 2fm presenter Tubridy, was the highest earner in 2011, followed by Pat Kenny on €630,000 and Marian Finucane on €491,770.

However, with the cuts which RTÉ has managed to secure in the contracts, none of the talent is now earning over €500,000 — though RTÉ did not give a current figure for Pat Kenny’s fee as it is “up for renewal 2013”.

Kenny had the highest annual fee paid to any of the presenters over the last five years when he was paid €950,976 in 2008.

Marian’s Finucane’s fees have dropped to €295,000 or by 40% compared to 2011. The latest figure is 48% less than the €570,000 she was paid in 2008.

If #RTE presenters are getting good ratings, shouldn't their salary be relative to their performance? P Kenny is exceptional.
— Vinnie O'Dowd (@VinnieoDowd) March 27, 2013

The latest cut means she has dropped down the earnings table behind Joe Duffy. In 2011, his fees were €377,776 and following the negotiations, he is now on €300,000. His new figure is 27% less than his 2008 fee of €408,889.

The biggest fall in fees paid by RTÉ is to football pundit Eamon Dunphy. Under his new contract he is receiving €106,000, 67% less than the €328,051 he received in 2008, though at that point, he was presenting a radio programme as well as his role in the station’s soccer coverage.

They're very high.. says @harrymcgee ..of RTE top earners money... @devlinmartina says there should be a salary cap
— Late Debate (@LatedebateRTE) March 27, 2013

A number of the highest earners, such as Bryan Dobson and Seán O’Rourke are employees, not contractors, and so no reduction in fees is given.

RTÉ said it had achieved its target to reduce presenter fees by 30% compared to 2008 levels. In 2008, it paid €4.45m to the top 10 earners. In 2013, that will be closer to €3m.

Top earners

1 Ryan Tubridy

2011 €723,500

2012/2013 €495,000

32% less than 2011 peak

2 Pat Kenny

2011 €630,000

2012/2013 — Up for renewal

34% less 2011 vs 2008 (€950,976)

3 Marian Finucane

2011 €491,770

2012/2013 €295,000