RTÉ Withdraws Cork Studios from Marketplace in Hunt for New Production Site

RTÉ, Ireland’s leading national broadcaster, has taken its southern regional studios off the market. The property located on Fr Mathew Street is no longer available for purchase, marking a step in RTÉ’s search for a new facility in Cork city centre. This decision reflects the broadcaster’s ongoing efforts to navigate financial challenges and plan for future growth in regional programming.

About the Current Location

Approximately 50 employees are based in the current Fr Mathew Street studios. The site serves as the hub for RTÉ’s southern news team and the production venue for popular TV shows such as The Today Show and Nationwide. It is also where several landmark documentaries, travel segments, cookery programs, and radio broadcasts are created.

RTÉ’s Five-Year Strategy

In its five-year strategic document, titled A New Direction, RTÉ outlined plans to invest in a new and expanded production centre in Cork. This centre will host a mix of in-house and commissioned programs, increasing the number of regionally produced hours across TV and audio platforms.

Property Evaluations and Sales

The Fr Mathew Street property was listed for sale in January with an estimated value of around €2 million. While it is no longer on the market, this property, along with several others, was considered for potential disposal to address financial pressures. RTÉ’s director general, Kevin Bakhurst, discussed the possibility of selling the Cork studios and expanding production from the city, including extending the duration of The Today Show and Nationwide.

Exploring New Locations

The broadcaster has explored One Albert Quay in Cork city centre as a potential new studio site. Additionally, RTÉ is investing €725 million over three years from the Government to support its operations and strategic goals.

Future Plans for Cork

By 2027, RTÉ envisions opening its new Cork production facility, which will launch a major daily peak-time program and relocate some activities from Dublin. The broadcaster also aims to launch audio incubator units in Cork and Galway by 2025 and establish a dedicated climate unit within RTÉ News and Current Affairs in Cork by 2026.

Real Estate Considerations

In November, RTÉ revealed plans to spend up to €200,000 over five years on property advisory services to maximize the value of its extensive property portfolio. This includes the Donnybrook location and sites across the country. The potential sale of the Fr Mathew Street studios may be reconsidered as part of this broader evaluation process.

Conclusion

RTÉ’s decision to withdraw its southern Cork studios from the market marks a strategic shift in its approach to regional production and financial management. As the organization moves forward with its long-term plans, the search for a new production site will be pivotal in shaping the future of regional content in Ireland.

We encourage our readers to stay informed as RTÉ’s plans develop. Share your thoughts on the potential changes by leaving a comment below, and subscribe to Archynetys for the latest news and updates.