Big changes.
The Government is to scrap the current TV licence fee and replace it with a charge that will affect almost every home in Ireland.
The change is designed to take shift in how people consume media into account, where people are increasingly watching TV on devices such as tablets and smartphones, and using streaming services like Netflix and NOW TV.
The reform of the licence fee will take place in five years’ time.
The Government will be putting the collection of the TV licence fee out to public tender later this year.
This will allow a five-year contract for the service to be put in place, and at the end of this contract, the licence fee should be replaced by a device independent broadcasting charge.
The move means that anyone with a laptop, a tablet or a smartphone at home will be liable to pay the charge.
Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton said:”Public service broadcasting is more important now than ever.
“Independent, objective reporting of domestic and international affairs is crucial. However, we must recognise that the landscape in which broadcasters operate is undergoing a transformation and that this gives rise to new challenges. Audiences are transitioning away from traditional platforms and are increasingly accessing content online through digital mediums.
“Today, I am publishing the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2019. This Bill will enable the broadcasting levy to be reduced for all broadcasters and for some community broadcasters to be exempted entirely.
“It allows for the creation of a new funding scheme that would allow the granting of bursaries to journalists in local or community radio stations. We must support our local community radio stations and independent broadcasters.”
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