TV3 boss lashes out at broadcasting charge plans

The boss of TV3 has lashed out at plans for a revamped public service broadcasting charge to replace the TV licence fee, claiming it is a case of “official Ireland” shoring up RTÉ’s finances.

Householders will be hit with a replacement charge for the current TV licence at the start of 2015 — even if they do not own a television.

A period of public consultation on the proposed charge will run until Oct 8, and Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said the charge was being introduced to represent greater access to public service content on new technologies and to cut the amount of money currently lost through evasion of the TV licence.