Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of programme B is to promote the broadcasting sector by ensuring high-quality output by the State broadcasting companies and promoting a strong quality private broadcasting sector. RTE and TG4 are funded through a mix of commercial revenues obtained largely from advertising, Exchequer grant payments and licence fee revenues. Broadcasting licensing fee receipts are estimated to be €222 million in 2017. The broadcasting programme provides for €190.7 million in television licence fee receipts to RTE to enable the company to meet its statutory obligations as a national public service broadcaster. In addition, the programme provides €4.2 million in television licence fee receipts and €29.5 million in grant payments to TG4 to produce a comprehensive range of programming in the Irish language. Programme B also funds new Irish television and radio programmes through the broadcasting fund operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The fund receives 7% of the net television licence fee receipts and amounts to €14.7 million in 2017.

Programme B provides €8 million to fund the migration of the Saorview services from the 700 MHz band, releasing valuable spectrum that will assist in delivering improved mobile coverage and broadband speeds, particularly in rural areas through the roll-out of the 5G network.