BREAKING: RTÉ cutbacks continue as major changes announced for Late Late show and Fair City

RTÉ management have outlined a new five-year strategy which will see it outsource flagship programmes such as Fair City and the Late Late Show, which are currently produced inhouse.

It is aiming to move from its current position as a traditional broadcaster to the preferred streaming destination of Irish audiences.

RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst told a meeting of staff today that production of programmes, including RTÉ's legacy shows Fair City and The Late Late Show, is to move off site over the next five years.

Mr Bakhurst outlined the decision as he outlined the broadcaster's new strategy document, entitled 'A New Direction'.

He said that the independent sector will, in time, be invited to discuss the possibilities of producing Fair City in a way that is successful for everyone involved.

The strategy will be based on a reformed public funding model which has yet to be agreed by the Government. It is envisaged that RTÉ will shed 400 jobs or 20 per cent of the workforce through voluntary redundancy.

A quarter of its public funding will be outsourced to the independent creative sector - some €70 million a year.

Over the strategy’s time, RTÉ plans to invest in excess of €340 million with Ireland’s independent production sector.

In terms of staffing, a 20% cut is confirmed with a reduction of headcount by 400. Funding of this targeted voluntary exit programme is likely to cost circa €50 million.

The document states that "we will also invest in training and development to ensure RTÉ has the right skillset to deliver this change."

The aim is for the broadcaster to have a "world class digital portfolio".

Other plans include the launch of the new RTÉ Audio app and RTÉ News app by 2025, both offering, it states, enhanced content and user experience.

The strategy also says that, by 2027, 50% of all non-live television content will be made available on RTÉ Player first - giving the audience the choice on how they watch programming.