A big move...
It's the end of an era as RTÉ have announced that they will cease production of their current Young People's programmes and instead outsource them to independent production companies.
The move will see all TV programmes currently produced by RTÉ for young children and teenagers outsourced to the independent production sector including shows on RTÉ Junior.
The decision was made in a bid to reduce costs without cutting the money spent on the programmes with the move expected to cut operating costs internally.
In a statement RTÉ said: "Recognising the challenging financial environment, and so as to achieve stronger efficiencies and value for money, RTÉ is to make changes to how it produces young people’s programmes.
"After an examination of all output, a decision has been made to commission all young people’s programmes from the independent sector, enabling RTÉ to meet its statutory committed spend in the sector and reducing operating costs internally. RTÉ is not reducing its commitment to younger peoples programmes, nor it's spend."
Staff currently working on these shows on freelance contracts will likely have to reapply for their roles with the independent production company.
Young people's programmes on RTÉ have long been a shop window for up and coming presenters in Ireland with the likes of Ian Dempsey, Emma O'Driscoll and Ray D'Arcy beginning their careers there.
