RTE is facing a TV license backlash from viewers after seeing a large drop in those paying to watch their sets.
Figures just released show a drop of more than 30pc in renewals in the first week of July when compared with the same period last year.
The Department of Media figures reveal a fall of almost 6,000 in the number of people paying their €160 licence fee when compared to the same period last year.
In the first week of July 2022, there were 13,504 renewals and 1,928 first-time licences bought.
The vast majority of these 15,432 households would have been due to pay another €160 in the first week of this July – but only 10,076 did.
This equates to almost €1m in revenue to RTE.
Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin said: “Even with a rising population, the figures have clearly fallen for June and drastically for the first week of July.”
Mr Griffin, who obtained the figures, said the drop-off in compliance is “considerable” and will lead to a “serious funding crisis for RTÉ”.
“RTÉ and the minister will need to put in place a contingency plan now to mitigate against the possible effects of continued revenue loss.
“It’s obvious that a significant proportion of the population have lost confidence in the national broadcaster due to recent scandalous revelations,” he said.
