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Anton Savage: Are RTÉ’s headliners ready to jump ship?

With pay cuts seemingly inevitable, we could be about to witness a poaching season at the national broadcaster

Kevin Bakhurst, RTÉ’s director general, may have to be careful of just how hard he pushes for savings. Picture: Fergal Phillips

The new director-general of RTÉ has been sending messages. That’s the received wisdom. His actions in relation to Ryan Tubridy have conveyed messages to staff, agents, presenters and the public. What has received less attention is the message he’s sending to RTÉ’s competitors. He has told them that he’ll be cutting star presenters’ wages, he’s told them by how much and he’s told them when he’s going to do it.

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