If it ain’t broke, then break it
Grandad January 15th, 2009
Back in 1971, I went to work in RTE.
It was a great place to be then.
The place was run by programmers and engineers and it was all one big happy family.
It was run on a very casual basis, and because there were few rules and restrictions, the staff responded by giving their best. I loved it there, and I worked my arse off along with everyone else. We had a pride in our jobs and in what we were doing and were all very happy.
Over the years, it changed.
Slowly but surely, the programmers and the engineers were elbowed out, and the accountants took over.
In the early days, if you came in late for work, no one minded, provided you got the job done.
The accountants were different though. They were clock watchers, and punctuality was far more important than anything else. The people who used to be erratic about their timekeeping but who worked their balls off were hauled over the coals. The slackers who were punctual got all the praise.
Morale took a downturn over the years.
The accountants eventually got their teeth into everything and money became God. If a programme was good but the accountants weren’t happy with the returns, it was axed. Slowly but surely, programmes sank to the level of the lowest common denominator. If it was cheap, it was good. The motto of the station became “If it ain’t broke, then break it”.
Rick O’Shea and Nikki Hayes are the latest victims of financial rectitude.
The accountants have decided that somehow they can shave a few cents if Rick and Nikki cut the cackle on their radio programmes and just play records. Being accountants, they don’t realise that the cackle is what makes the programme. Rick and Nikki worked very hard to build up an audience and they were damned good. That’s gone now. The programmes are becoming as bland as the rest of the shite that the other stations put out. But the accountants are happy.
I retired from RTE in 2001. I couldn’t wait to get out. It had become a depressing place to work in.
Those fucking accountants has destroyed the place and are continuing to do so.
Bastards.
- Rants , Times past , work
- Comments(23)
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Yep. Nothing sucks the soul out of a place more than a cotterie of beancounters.
Thrifty – Look what they’ve done to the health service!
I think it would be simpler to list the things the bland, grey men dont have their parsimonious fingers stuck into Grandad! Needless to say they ruin everything they touch and then move on. I think its called a ‘scorched earth’ policy.
Nice variation on the handle there! Perhaps I will become a grifter in these recessionary times
Yeah, that is another excellent example.
agreed. I’ve stopped listening to Rick’s show. It’s just not the same without the chat. Maybe they might grow a brain and replace Gerry Ryan with Rick. When he stood in for Ryan last year, it was brilliant. And it would cost less too!!!
More Pat Kenny anyone?
More Gerry Ryan?
That’s what will happen!!
Hoor – The accountants are running the show now. No matter what the business or service, They seem to have the last say.
Thrifty – Sorry about the handle! [fixed].
Frank – As I write, my radio is sadly silent.
If the accountants really had any sense, they would fire Plank and Ryan. That would save approaching two million a year. Then they could let the real talent do the job.
I really can’t fathom the 2fm policy change. If it made financial sense I might but I simply can’t see how it saves or makes RTÉ any money.
And too often RTÉ imitate rather than innovate. And for me that’s a great shame.
I’ve also stopped listening to both shows as much as I used to – there’s not really much point any more. As has been said time and time again, if I want music, I’ll go to my iPod. That’s all
Good post though. I didn’t know you were the guy who operated Bosco’s Magic Door at all at all.
NaRocRoc – As far as I know, they are “cutting back on researchers”, whatever that means?
Darragh – So my secret is out. Bosco and myself had a purely platonic hate-hate relationship though.
Testify!!! Right on, Daddyo.
its a case of defining what the business is. When accountants run the show the business is about making money.
Thing is, the product that J Soap pays good money in licencing fees for isn’t about money. Its about entertainment, education, public affairs, sports, etc.
When the customer’s perspective differs from the provider’s you know you have trouble. It all went downhill when you left, Geandad
pesky keyboard
Geandad = Grandad
It’s shit like this that makes me glad I listen to a radio station that has no chance of ever cutting back on their programming…
[...] http://raptureponies.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/2fm-thinks-im-thick/ http://www.headrambles.com/2009/01/15/if-it-aint-broke-then-break-it/ http://maxicane.com/?p=300 http://cupidstunt.wordpress.com/2009/01/14/rte-2fm-murder-santa-kittens/ [...]
This gives a whole new perspective on the decision – should have known the bean counters were behind it. It’s such a shortsighted decision.
Was never a huge radio fan but on a day off or when I’m in the car at that time of day, I always listened to Rick. Nothing surprises me about RTE, though, they can do what they like and still get their licence fee increases on demand. And then take in advertising millions as well.
At least the Beeb have the decency not to take ads as well on top of their licence fee!
Wahoo! I seem to have touched the nerve.
Rick O’Shea tells me I’m the only post on the subject to use the word ‘bastard’. Oh! the distinction….
Wow, I agree with everything said here.
RTÉ is becoming more and more of an expensive shíthole everyday.
Accountants are stuck so far up their own hole they don’t know what television is.
Sometimes you have to slack on a small tiny bit of profit to maintain quality, this obviously hasn’t happened here. €170 for this sort of crap service.
Whatever complaints people have about TV3, they’re still working with less than a third of the revenue of RTÉ and maintain a decent service. People are not overpaid there either.#
TG4 is pretty good also, and is doing well with their small cut of the license fee. The odd time they have some good innovation and good programmes.
Screw RTÉ and their overpaid presenters.
I think it’s obvious how everybody feels about having a bunch of abacus mangling, non-entities dictate what we can and can’t watch or listen to.
It’s definitely time to retake the asylum.
What seriously galls me is the way one TV channel can repeat what another TV channel aired only days previously be it a fillum, documentary or series and we are paying a fortune NOT to watch it twice!
After we execute the accountants the schedulers are next. Up the revolution!
you mean you still listen…i gave up ages ago…pat kenny interviewing pat kenny and gerry ryan just being…..well forget it.
I have never listened to The Plank or Ryan, and nothing could ever make me. I used to listen to Rick O’Shea though
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