Annual Christmas Exedous RTE

Dempo1 · 21-12-2021 7:28am #1

I've never quite got this annual Christmas Exedous from the News Studio's at RTE. Firstly everyone is of course entitled to holidays but it seems extraordinary any employer, let alone a National Broadcaster deems it appropriate to vacate the premises for extended periods over the festive season. It's not as if there's quite enough news going on.

This year it started earlier than normal, the week in Politics, The late Debate, Saturday with Katie Hannon all closed till January, some might argue this is because the Dail in recess, I would argue, the country certainly is not (albeit some will say the hospitality sector is) but that's another issue.

The 6 one News team vacated the building last Friday, one presenter yesterday, it begs the question why bother with 2 in the first place and no doubt as we get closer to Christmas the time slot will reduce.

This morning, the Morning Ireland crew won't be in till 8am god bless them.

Is this really good enough is my question, it would seem every second advert on RTE reminds us of our need to purchase our TV License.

Perhaps, there is no news, perhaps the country comes to a stand still for 2/3 weeks, who knows.

I can only presume the Celeb presenters have left the building also, I see Claire Byrne covered by PBH yesterday.

That's my morning rant over, I guess it's Newstalk for the next few weeks 😁

Happy Christmas one and all

L1011 · 21-12-2021 8:01am

I'd expect a lot of salaried staff are carrying significant amounts of unused annual leave due to demands earlier in the year plus a much reduced summer holiday season. Many workplaces are on skeleton staff now.

The political shows are always tied to Dail sessions, they wouldn't be able to get the politicians on otherwise. News would be slowing down slightly, not as much as a normal year.

JoeA3 · 21-12-2021 9:01am

Yeah, while RTE do have previous form for this, I don't think its unusual at all, this year particularly. In my workplace, a large % of staff have taken off early for the Christmas break. Its a case of use the holidays or lose them.

Ger Roe · 21-12-2021 10:05am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118355018#Comment_118355018

True, but a national broadcasting news service, is different. The current affairs world events don't take a holiday and you won't see the BBC or Sky dropping service coverage hours by anywhere near as much as RTE. The might have a few 'filler' items during Christmas week (retrospective reports, feature repeats etc), but the core news service maintains its focus and schedule.

One would have to question why it takes so many people at RTE to cover news during other parts of the year, if they can manage on reduced staff and broadcast hours for significant periods at holiday times (summer and christmas). If we can make do with a single presenter half hour Six One news for weeks on end in the summer and at christmas, why is it expanded to additional staff and expense during the rest of the year?

This year, more than ever, I think news is important enough to keep the service going - otherwise, why bother ramping up again in January?

Dempo1 · 23-12-2021 7:55am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354890#Comment_118354890

I see you point but "Demands earlier in the year🤔, what Demands exactly 😁"

Dempo1 · 23-12-2021 7:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118355280#Comment_118355280

Excellent points and I suppose my main argument is the news aspect of RTE's remit as a national Broadcaster.

It just amazes me they just seem to vacate the news room for extended periods over Christmas. This said I wouldn't take away from the excellent people who Fill in.

And as you correctly alluded too, there is quite enough to be reporting on.

Ballycommon Mast · 23-12-2021 8:37am

Virgin Medias (TV3) news service is going off the air completely for 2 weeks, same thing happened last year.

Losty Dublin · 23-12-2021 10:49am

2004; Tsunami; Newstalk; Automation.

Ballycommon Mast · 23-12-2021 11:16am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118365153#Comment_118365153

It's only in recent times that Newstalk have pulled up their socks, they were in automation/repeat mode too the night the EU/IMF bailout was announced.

StevenToast · 23-12-2021 11:20am

This thread should be merged with oiling up the tape decks in montrose

Dempo1 · 23-12-2021 11:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118365298#Comment_118365298

Hi, I agree, I hadn't actually noticed the other thread when I started this one, not sure if Mods can merge 👌

Annual Christmas Exedous RTE

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