RTÉ Lotto & Telly Bingo Production Moves In-House | National Lottery Update

The National Lottery draw, a fixture of Irish television for over three decades, will move from RTÉ studios to the National Lottery headquarters on March 11th. The shift, announced by RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst in December, marks a significant change in the broadcasting landscape for the popular game and is part of a wider cost-cutting drive at the public service broadcaster. Telly Bingo will follow in a phased rollout in the coming months.

A Phased Transition for National Games

For nearly four decades, the Lotto and Telly Bingo draws have been synonymous with RTÉ One programming, launching with the first Lotto draw in April 1988 and Telly Bingo in September 1999. Despite the change in production location, both games will continue to be broadcast on the same channel, maintaining continuity for viewers. The Lotto draw will also be moving to a new timeslot, immediately before the ‘RTÉ Nine O’Clock News’ on Wednesdays and Saturdays, according to a statement from the National Lottery.

The move aligns the Lotto draw with Daily Million and EuroMillions Plus, which are already produced at the National Lottery’s headquarters. This consolidation aims to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Existing draw controls and oversight mechanisms, including the independent observer role held by KPMG, will remain in place to ensure the integrity of the draws. RTÉ’s announcement followed a period of financial scrutiny and restructuring within the organization, as it seeks to reduce costs and adapt to a changing media environment.

RTÉ’s Cost-Cutting Measures and Outsourcing Strategy

The decision to outsource Lotto production is part of a broader effort by RTÉ to reduce its staff numbers by 400 over the next five years. As reported by The Irish Times, 65 of the 107 employees offered voluntary redundancy packages have accepted, with a total of 308 applications received. The broadcaster is also suppressing roles where possible, aiming to reach its target through a combination of voluntary exits, resignations, and retirements. This restructuring is occurring against a backdrop of increasing financial pressures on public service broadcasting in Ireland.

Kevin Bakhurst, who assumed the role of Director-General of RTÉ in July 2023, has emphasized the necessitate for challenging decisions to secure the future of the organization. Bakhurst’s background includes extensive experience in the BBC and Ofcom, bringing a focus on efficiency and strategic restructuring to RTÉ. He has also confirmed that RTÉ will outsource National Lottery programming, alongside other initiatives like reassessing the production of Fair City and The Late Late Show.

Impact on RTÉ Staff and the National Lottery

The outsourcing of the Lotto draw will inevitably lead to job losses at RTÉ, although the exact number has not been specified. The broadcaster is attempting to mitigate the impact through voluntary redundancy packages and role suppression. The National Lottery, however, anticipates benefits from consolidating draw production in-house. CEO Cian Murphy described the move as “an important and natural next step,” enabling greater consistency and efficiency across operations. The National Lottery’s annual report for 2023 showed total sales of €777.8 million, with €236.3 million contributed to fine causes. The efficiency gains from this move could potentially free up resources for further investment in these causes.

Fair City and The Late Late Show Under Review

Beyond the Lotto draw, RTÉ is actively reviewing the production arrangements for other high-profile programs. Fair City, the long-running Irish soap opera, is slated to be produced “off-site” as RTÉ reduces its presence on the Donnybrook campus in Dublin. The broadcaster is exploring options for its production model, considering both fully independent and hybrid arrangements. At least seven or eight production companies have expressed interest in taking on the soap, with formal expressions of interest expected next summer. The Late Late Show, another Irish television institution, is also under review, with its future production model yet to be determined.

Maintaining Integrity and Transparency

Despite the changes in production arrangements, the National Lottery has assured the public that existing draw controls and oversight mechanisms will remain firmly in place. KPMG will continue its role as an independent observer, ensuring the integrity and fairness of the draws. This commitment to transparency is crucial for maintaining public trust in the National Lottery, which plays a significant role in funding various good causes across Ireland. The lottery contributed over €236 million to good causes in 2023, supporting areas such as sport, health, and community development.

What’s Next: A Phased Rollout and Ongoing Restructuring

The immediate next step is the full transition of the Lotto draw to the National Lottery headquarters on March 11th. Telly Bingo will follow in the coming months, completing the initial phase of the outsourcing plan. RTÉ will continue to implement its wider restructuring program, aiming to reduce staff numbers by 400 over the next five years. The broadcaster will also be evaluating proposals for the production of Fair City and The Late Late Show, with decisions expected in the coming months. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Media and Communications will continue to oversee RTÉ’s progress and hold the Director-General accountable for delivering on the organization’s strategic objectives.