Seanad debates
Tuesday, 11 November 2003
Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage.
There are two costs and that is particularly an issue as the Bill specifically provides that programmes funded be broadcast at peak viewing or listening times. I approve of that proviso because it would be possible to cheat, that is, to produce a programme and broadcast it at the same time as "Oireachtas Report" when we are all asleep, or should be. By insisting such programmes are broadcast at peak times, a cost is being imposed on the broadcaster. The cost being imposed is the cost of advertising revenue forgone. If broadcasters are not compensated for that cost, the incentive to compete for the funding will be greatly reduced. It may even be removed altogether in that there may not be competition for it. Under this scheme, we are paying to make things happen which would not otherwise happen. We must ensure we pay enough because if we do not, progress will not be made. The reality is that commercial broadcasters will outsource the costs and production of the programmes. What we have to remember is that after they pay the production company for its work, there has to be something left over for the commercial broadcaster to make it worth its while to give up valuable airtime to put the programme out in the first place. It is vital that in drawing up the scheme the BCI allows for this particular factor. If it does not, we will find that all the money will end up going to RTE. It will be the only one tendering and looking for the money.
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