'Marked Increase in Evasion' as TV Licence Revenue Continues to Decline - 16/06/2026 episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 16, 2026 · 11 MIN

'Marked Increase in Evasion' as TV Licence Revenue Continues to Decline - 16/06/2026

from The Agenda

Income from the TV licence fee continues to decline, with new figures pointing to a marked increase in evasion following the RTÉ secret payments scandal.Just under €48 million was generated from nearly 300,000 licences sold in the first five months of this year, according to data from Minister of State at the Department of Culture Charlie McConalogue. The figures show a 4.5% drop compared to the same period last year, continuing a broader downward trend in licence sales in recent years.Sales have fallen steadily since 2023, when the RTÉ controversy first emerged and was followed by a significant 13% drop in annual licence purchases. That decline has continued into 2025 and 2026, with overall numbers well below pre-scandal levels.Sinn Féin TD for Meath-East Darren O’Rourke says the trend shows the TV licence funding model is “completely broken”.Deputy O'Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Income from the TV licence fee continues to decline, with new figures pointing to a marked increase in evasion following the RTÉ secret payments scandal.Just under €48 million was generated from nearly 300,000 licences sold in the first five months of this year, according to data from Minister of State at the Department of Culture Charlie McConalogue. The figures show a 4.5% drop compared to the same period last year, continuing a broader downward trend in licence sales in recent years.Sales have fallen steadily since 2023, when the RTÉ controversy first emerged and was followed by a significant 13% drop in annual licence purchases. That decline has continued into 2025 and 2026, with overall numbers well below pre-scandal levels.Sinn Féin TD for Meath-East Darren O’Rourke says the trend shows the TV licence funding model is “completely broken”.Deputy O'Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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'Marked Increase in Evasion' as TV Licence Revenue Continues to Decline - 16/06/2026

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Income from the TV licence fee continues to decline, with new figures pointing to a marked increase in evasion following the RTÉ secret payments scandal.Just under €48 million was generated from nearly 300,000 licences sold in the first five months...

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