Patrick Kielty has secured a pay increase following protracted negotiations with RTÉ over his continued role as host of The Late Late Show. Sources indicated that the agreement includes a raise estimated to be between €20,000 and €30,000 per season.
RTÉ confirmed on Tuesday that Kielty will return to host the program, concluding months of speculation. His previous three-year contract, which expired in May, was reportedly valued at €250,000 per season. Insiders suggest Kielty negotiated an overall package rather than a simple fee increase, leveraging his broader work with the broadcaster.
Details surrounding Kielty's new compensation have not been officially confirmed by RTÉ. A spokeswoman for the broadcaster stated that earnings for the top 10 presenters and leadership team are published annually in their report, and that individual remuneration details are not typically disclosed outside of that.
The negotiations reportedly involved discussions between Kielty and Alan Tyler, RTÉ's Head of Entertainment. Kielty himself confirmed his previous salary of €250,000 in 2023 during a period when RTÉ was facing scrutiny over undisclosed payments made to his predecessor, Ryan Tubridy.
Despite some initial criticism of his tenure, Kielty has maintained a consistent viewership, with The Late Late Show averaging approximately 385,000 viewers per episode across his three seasons. In related news, Kielty's former production company, Green Inc Film and Television, was reported to have secured rights for a revamped series of "Up For The Match," a deal estimated to be worth around €600,000. Kielty co-founded Green Inc in the mid-1990s but stepped down as a director in 2011.
The presenter's new contract comes as RTÉ awaits government approval for a pay increase for its Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, which could potentially influence compensation for other high earners at the station.