# Raidió Teilifís Éireann

> Irish public service broadcaster

**Wikidata**: [Q329494](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q329494)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTÉ)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/raidio-teilifis-eireann

## Summary
Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) is Ireland's national public service broadcaster, established in 1960. It operates radio and television stations, including RTÉ One and RTÉ Radio 1, and is owned by the Irish government. RTÉ is a member of the European Broadcasting Union and provides free-to-air programming in Irish and English.

## Key Facts
- Founded on June 1, 1960, as the successor to the Irish Free State Broadcasting Service.
- Owned and operated by the Irish government, with no commercial advertising.
- Operates multiple radio stations, including RTÉ Radio 1 (since 1926), RTÉ 2fm (since 1979), and RTÉ lyric fm (since 1999).
- Manages television channels such as RTÉ One (since 1961) and RTÉ 2 (since 1978).
- Member of the European Broadcasting Union, founded on February 12, 1950.
- Headquarters located in Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland.
- Employed 1,856 staff members as of the provided data.
- Produces Irish-language programming through RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (since 1972).
- Launched the RTÉ player, an on-demand video service, on April 21, 2009.
- Associated with notable figures like Pat Kenny, Larry Gogan, and Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

## FAQs
**What type of organization is RTÉ?**
RTÉ is a public service broadcaster, meaning it is owned by the Irish government and operates without commercial advertising. It is classified as an enterprise producing goods and services, including radio and television programming.

**What countries is RTÉ affiliated with?**
RTÉ is based in Ireland and operates as the national broadcaster for the country. It is also a member of the European Broadcasting Union, which includes public service media entities from multiple European nations.

**What are RTÉ's main radio and television stations?**
RTÉ operates several radio stations, including RTÉ Radio 1 (since 1926), RTÉ 2fm (since 1979), and RTÉ lyric fm (since 1999). Its television channels include RTÉ One (since 1961) and RTÉ 2 (since 1978).

**Does RTÉ produce Irish-language content?**
Yes, RTÉ produces Irish-language programming through RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, which has been broadcasting since 1972.

**How is RTÉ funded?**
RTÉ is funded by the Irish government and operates without commercial advertising, relying instead on public funding to produce its programming.

**What is the RTÉ player?**
The RTÉ player is an on-demand video service launched on April 21, 2009, allowing viewers to watch RTÉ content online.

## Why It Matters
RTÉ plays a crucial role in Ireland's media landscape by providing free-to-air television and radio services, including news, entertainment, and cultural programming. As the national broadcaster, it serves as a public service, ensuring access to information and entertainment for all Irish citizens. RTÉ's membership in the European Broadcasting Union allows it to collaborate with other European public broadcasters, sharing best practices and participating in international events like the Eurovision Song Contest. Its Irish-language programming through RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta supports linguistic diversity in Ireland. By operating without commercial advertising, RTÉ maintains editorial independence, focusing on public interest rather than profit.

## Notable For
- First Irish public service broadcaster established in 1960.
- Member of the European Broadcasting Union since its founding in 1950.
- Operates RTÉ One, one of Ireland's longest-running television channels.
- Produces RTÉ Radio 1, one of the oldest continuously operating radio stations in the world.
- Launched the RTÉ player, an early on-demand video service in Ireland.
- Associated with notable Irish broadcasters and journalists, including Pat Kenny and Larry Gogan.

## Body
### History
Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) was established on June 1, 1960, as the successor to the Irish Free State Broadcasting Service. It was created to provide public service broadcasting in Ireland, operating without commercial advertising. RTÉ has been a member of the European Broadcasting Union since its founding on February 12, 1950, allowing it to collaborate with other European public broadcasters.

### Operations
RTÉ operates multiple radio and television stations, including:
- **Radio Stations**: RTÉ Radio 1 (since 1926), RTÉ 2fm (since 1979), RTÉ lyric fm (since 1999), and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (since 1972).
- **Television Channels**: RTÉ One (since 1961) and RTÉ 2 (since 1978).
RTÉ also launched the RTÉ player on April 21, 2009, an on-demand video service for streaming content online.

### Governance
RTÉ is owned and operated by the Irish government, ensuring it functions as a public service broadcaster. It employs 1,856 staff members and is headquartered in Donnybrook, Dublin. The broadcaster is funded by the Irish government and operates without commercial advertising, maintaining editorial independence.

### Affiliations
RTÉ is affiliated with several notable figures in Irish broadcasting and journalism, including:
- Pat Kenny, a television and radio presenter.
- Larry Gogan, an Irish broadcaster who passed away in 2020.
- Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, a Gaelic games commentator.
- Doireann Ní Bhriain, an Irish radio producer.
- Alex Barclay, an Irish writer and journalist.

### Cultural Impact
RTÉ produces Irish-language programming through RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, supporting linguistic diversity in Ireland. It has been involved in international events, such as the Eurovision Song Contest, representing Ireland in 1995 and 1997. RTÉ's programming includes a variety of genres, from news and current affairs to entertainment and sports, serving as a key source of information and entertainment for Irish audiences.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Japan Search
3. BnF authorities
4. [MEMBERS (73) OF THE EUROPEAN BROADCASTING UNION (56 COUNTRIES). 2016](http://www3.ebu.ch/files/live/sites/ebu/files/About/EBU_Directory/EBU-Active-Members.pdf)
5. [Source](https://fiatifta.org/membership/members/)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. MusicBrainz
9. [Source](http://static.rasset.ie/documents/about/annual-report-2013.pdf)
10. GRID Release 2017-04-04
11. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File