(RTÉ) (ˈɾɣadjiːoː ˈtjɛljəfjiːʃ ˈeːɾjən̪ɣ; Irish for "Radio & Television of Ireland") is an Irish public service broadcaster. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on television, radio and online. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on 31 December 1961, making it one of the oldest continuously operating public service broadcasters in the world. Its headquarters are at Donnybrook in Dublin.
RTÉ is a statutory body, overseen by a board appointed by the Government of Ireland, with general management in the hands of a committee of senior managers, currently a Temporary Interim Leadership Team, headed by the Director General. RTÉ is regulated by Coimisiún na Meán. RTÉ is financed by the television licence fee and through advertising, with some of its services funded solely by advertising, while others are funded solely by the licence fee. The broadcaster has its headquarters in Dublin and offices in other parts of Ireland.
Radio Éireann, RTÉ's predecessor and at the time a section of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, was one of 23 founding organisations of the European Broadcasting Union in 1950. RTÉ also publishes weekly listings and lifestyle magazine, the RTÉ Guide.
Broadcasting in Ireland began in 1926 with 2RN in Dublin. From that date until June 1960 the broadcasting service (2RN, later Radio Éireann) operated as a section of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, and those working for the service were directly employed by the Irish Government and regarded as civil servants.
RTÉ was established on 1 June 1960 (as Radio Éireann) under the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960, the principal legislation under which it still operates. The existing Radio Éireann service was transferred to the new authority, which was also made responsible for the new television service (Telefís Éireann). The television service started broadcasting on 31 December 1961, from the Kippure transmitter site near Dublin. Eamonn Andrews was the first Chairman of Radio Éireann, the first director-general was Edward Roth.