As RTÉ enters the new century the broadcaster must deal with critics, competition and the digital age.
RTÉ has been heavily criticised over its New Year's Eve output, coverage of the winter solstice from Newgrange, a u-turn on the decision to replace Met Éireann staff on television weather forecasts, and the loss of viewers for 'The Late Late Show’ since the departure of Gay Byrne.
Those high-profile mistakes, increased competition and a changing Ireland have all led to a drop in the stations audience share.
Television critic with the Irish Daily Star Dave O'Connell feels the criticism of the new format ‘The Late Late Show’ is unfair.
There was always going to be a falloff in audience.
Lecturer in the School of Media at Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) Dr Michael Foley feels RTÉ should emphasise the things it does well.
RTÉ must turn a profit while also fulfilling a public service remit. The broadcaster must also develop new digital television services, which will be costly. Michael Foley thinks public service broadcasting will become massively important in the digital age.
TG4 boss Cathal Goan will have the task of guiding RTÉ forward. He will have to face up to the competition and deliver the audience with a tightening economic situation.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 March 2000. The reporter is Anthony Murnane.
