Since July 2023 I have given a significant number of television and radio interviews as well as a number of press conferences, and announcements at which the media were present.
As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht and Sports, not just Media, these interviews encompassed a range of topics. Where relevant to the topic of the interview I have taken the opportunity to remind the public of both the statutory obligation to have a TV licence and its vital importance in the funding of public service content more generally. I have also done so in my responses to parliamentary questions, as well as in addressing the Oireachtas more generally on matters relating to public service media.
Total TV licences sales recorded by An Post in 2023 amount to 824,278 compared to 947,924 in 2022;. This is a reduction of 123,646 TV license, or 13%. As a result, gross revenue from TV Licence sales for 2023 amounted to €131.884m, a decline of €19.783m in comparison to 2022.
While the sales figures over the last number of months are somewhat more promising, I will once again state that it is of vital importance that people continue to pay their TV licence, if liable. The proceeds from the licence fee not only go to RTÉ but also to the Broadcasting Fund to enable funding support for a wider range of content on broadcasters all over the country.
