RTE has been slammed by FM104 boss Dave Kelly.
The radio boss is the director of the Wireless Group, which includes FM104, Dublin’s Q102 and Cork’s 96FM – and has some choice words for Ireland’s national broadcaster.
“I don’t think any of RTÉ’s big names could get the same salaries in the private sector,” he said.
Getting real: Dave admits that big names like Joe Duffy couldn’t work in commercial radio | VIPIRELAND.COM
Despite RTÉ making cuts in recent years, Ryan Tubridy was still the highest earner back in 2014 with a €495,000 deal – with Joe Duffy coming in second with €416,893 a year, and Marian Finucane in third with €295,000.
However, the top five presenters are categorised as contractors not RTE staff – so their fee is negotiated separately with TV chiefs, and was reported earlier this year to be 40% down in 2014 than 2008.
“Commercial stations had tried big names before and it hasn’t worked, why would Joe or Marian be any different?” he told the Irish Sun.
“I’d say these presenters would get half their salaries in the private sector.”
High praise: The radio director thinks Ray is worth his paycheck | VIPIRELAND.COM
But there is one presenter who Dave does have high praise for – RTÉ star Ray D’Arcy.
“Ray has already proved he works in the private sector by attracting a huge listenership to Today FM,” he revealed.
“He is now doing the same on RTE. Most importantly Ray is still relatively young at 52, he could appeal to the younger audience on commercial radio.
“Ray doesn’t come with all the big RTE baggage attached,” he added.
