RTÉ 2FM is reportedly in crisis amid the shock departure of three of the station’s top stars.
On Tuesday, The 2 Johnnies announced they would be leaving the station – just days after Doireann Garrihy confirmed her exit from the 2FM Breakfast show.
According to the Irish Sun, bosses are concerned more presenters may follow suit.
An industry source said: “This is the biggest crisis to hit 2FM since the death of Gerry Ryan.”
Following the payments scandal last year, the broadcaster has introduced a number of strict rules for their talent – including the new Register of Gifts.
Employees and contractors with RTÉ are now required to declare gifts above a value of €50, and must declare any conflicts of interest.
This has reportedly ruffled some feathers with their top stars, as they could lose out on lucrative sponsorship deals by working for the national broadcaster.
A senior radio insider told the newspaper: “These departures prove the massive amounts of money being made by RTE stars in outside deals, on top of their salaries.
“The talent make more money from sponsorship and social media than they can in RTE, so they’re leaving.”
The source added: “I really don’t know how 2FM can replace these presenters. If you’re in 2FM on work experience now, you could end up with your own show in the summer schedule.”
“Top RTE presenters are getting their salaries slashed at the same time as being told they must come clean about their sponsorship deals.
“Once everybody was envious of the DJs in 2FM – it’s not that way anymore. The Oireachtas Committees have put paid to that and the new Register of Interests.”
