RTE loses out as senior executive opts for Britain

One of RTE's most senior television executives, Mr David Blake-Knox, is leaving to take up work in Britain, the station will announce today. Further departures from senior television management are expected shortly, according to sources.

Mr Blake-Knox's resignation will come as a major blow to the station, which is facing increased competition from TV3. For almost 20 years, he has been one of the main creative forces in RTE and developed the critically acclaimed Nighthawks in 1989.

Speculation last night centred on two other senior executives who are reported to be considering job offers or early retirement. One is said to be considering moving to a British company on a part-time basis. In addition, Mr Noel Curran, who was appointed editor of television current affairs last year, has begun discussion with management on a new role. Responding yesterday to inquiries from The Irish Times, RTE's press office issued a short statement saying it would be announcing the departure of a senior executive today. "We are unaware of any other departures," the statement concluded.

A senior RTE source insisted that only one executive had indicated his intention to leave but he conceded that others had been made offers or were thinking of changing jobs. This did not mean they would be leaving the station.

He pointed out that TV3 had made approaches to at least four senior executives in RTE before the new channel was launched. Some of these offers were turned down only at the last moment.

As director of television productions, Mr Blake-Knox (47) held the number two job in television after the managing director, Mr Joe Mulholland. A native of Belfast, he joined RTE in 1979 after working in children's theatre.

At first he worked in current affairs on programmes such as Today Tonight before moving into light entertainment. Recently, he has written material for the American comedian Ruby Wax.

Last year RTE lost £3 million on its core business in broadcasting. The television division has continued to run over budget, according to informed sources. Income from television advertising increased slightly last year but this was before the advent of TV3.

From next year, RTE will be required to devote 20 per cent of its programme expenditure to independent productions. This requirement, which originated in the 1993 Broadcasting Act, has major implications for jobs at the station.

The imminent arrival of digital broadcasting will further add to competition, with RTE having to compete against an ever-increasing number of overseas channels.

To date, however, the Montrose station has managed to hold its own against foreign competition. Home-produced programmes account for the majority of the most popular programmes on RTE and the home station's share of viewers has held up against competition from Britain and Northern Ireland.

In response to these changes in broadcasting RTE is seeking a large number of redundancies, many in television.