The report reveals that RTÉ spent €1.8 million more than its statutory requirement for funding the independent sector in 2023.

The report also highlights that ten independent production companies received €25.7 million, accounting for 63% of the value of new television commissions that year. It notes a substantial increase in drama hours, with a mix of independently commissioned productions and co-productions delivering ten different drama series to Irish audiences throughout the year. Besides Kin, Hidden Assets, and The Dry, other 2023 productions included Smother, The Gone, Blackshore, and The Boy that Never Was.

The Independent Unit also backed popular shows like Ireland’s Fittest Family, Dancing with the Stars, and Operation Transformation, though the latter has now been discontinued. The report praises Operation Transformation, stating that Vision Independent Productions’ commitment to developing the show has evolved it from a weight-loss program into a broader health and wellness brand that supports participants on their journey.

The award-winning The Tommy Tiernan Show also returned, with the report commending its “simple yet brilliant format” for consistently attracting large audiences across platforms.

Two leading independent producers have since responded to the 2023 spending, advocating for significant sector reforms. Larry Bass, Managing Director of Shinawil, which produces Dancing with the Stars and Home of the Year, welcomed the increased funding but noted that it remains well below pre-recession levels of around €80 million. Bass added that inflation has reduced the impact of these funds and emphasized the competition Irish productions face from international content. He called on the government to properly fund Irish Public Service Media across all Irish channels.

Philip Kampff, Managing Director of Vision Independent Productions, which produced Operation Transformation, stated that the industry needs “radical changes” to engage audiences who are moving away from traditional TV. He noted that when he returned to Ireland in 2003, RTÉ was spending twice as much on independent production, but after the 2008 crash, this budget was halved while RTÉ’s own costs remained largely intact. He argued that simply providing RTÉ with €700 million over the next three years overlooks broader industry shifts and potential opportunities. Kampff added, “If we have a TikTok Taoiseach, then we need public service media funding models that embrace all channels, especially those that people are actually watching.”