The hypocritical calls for BBC cuts

The BBC have announced plans to cut a number of services with the main focus being on the closure of 6 Music and the Asian Network, two DAB stations run by the corporation. The official reasoning is to refocus funding on the BBC’s core functions and create better quality news and programming, while the unofficial [...]

“TV3″ Sports on the horizon?

An interesting line in The Irish Times’ grim report of Setanta Sport’s financial troubles suggests that Doughty Hanson, owner of TV3 and 3e in Ireland, could make a bid for the sports broadcaster in the coming days. Setanta has found itself facing administration after years of rapid expansion and Doughty Hanson is seen as a [...]

On RTE One after 12pm

I’ll be on RTÉ’s Campaign Daily this afternoon to talk about local and European election candidates using the internet as part of their campaigns. If I’m not mistaken, I’ll be there with Damien Mulley. You can catch it live on the website, on your TV (assuming you’re in Ireland) or on the RTÉ Player later [...]

Dear RTE

To whom it may concern, I am writing to express my sadness at the apology made by RTÉ News (Nine News, 24th March 2009) for their coverage of the ‘Brian Cowen nude paintings’ story. I also wish to express my anger at the censorship and revisionism undertaken by the broadcaster in the removal of the [...]

New Irish journalism award

As pointed out by Adrian on Twitter, there’s a new journalism award on the scene in Ireland. There are 14 categories in total, 13 of which have ‘Journalism’ in the title and the other being a Lifetime Achievement Award for journalism, which begs the question – why are they called The National Media Awards and [...]

Media predictions 2009, Part 3: Ireland’s DTT deadline will change

This is my third Irish media prediction for 2009: At some point in 2009 the Irish Government will accept that the EU-recommended deadline for the digital TV switch-over in 2012 is too ambitious for Ireland to meet. They may do so for their own financial reasons, for the financial reasons of the DTT-contract holder or [...]

British channels could join Irish DTT (SBP – 16th July 2006)

Today’s Sunday Business Post features an article I wrote on the upcoming DTT trial and the possible inclusion of British and European broadcasters in it: Ireland’s DTT (digital terrestrial television) trial may include a number of British television channels alongside Irish broadcasters when it starts later this year, The Sunday Business Post can reveal. The [...]

GAA to be shown on RTÉ.ie

The Munster final replay will be simulcast live on RTÉ.ie according to the broadcasters website; the match, which will be the second live sporting event shown on the site is part of a growing push towards internet webcasting in Ireland. TG4 recently launched its online broadcasting website which shows all of the Gaelic station’s homemade [...]

Haughey on RTÉ One

For anyone who hasn’t already spotted it, RTÉ’s critically acclaimed 4-part series on Charles Haughey is starting again tonight at 10:25 (and I assume every Monday after for the next month). Certainly worth catching for anyone interested in Irish politics past and present.

Jean Cahill of DIT confirms: Eating burgers helps brain

RTÉ News yesterday covered a pretty scary story about DIT conducting product research with children on behalf of companies such as Glanbia; this research involved getting children as young as 8 to taste and rate products such as crisps, cheese an burgers. The initial scandal is that schools are allowing this, the other side is [...]