SCGI & AIM Ireland criticise RTÉ's decision to outsource Radio 1's theme songs

Screen Composers Guild of Ireland (SCGI) and the Association of Independent Music Ireland (AIM) have criticised RTÉ's decision to outsource the theme songs across its Radio 1.

The broadcaster has decided to replace the suite of signature music across Radio 1 with a "fully unified audio identity" created by UK-based production company Wisebuddah.

This decision is a direct loss to the Irish music sector, with a potential value of €100,000 per annum in music rights and royalty income, which are vital to sustaining Ireland's "composer ecosystem".

For it all to go to one supplier not based in Ireland is difficult for local composers and performers.

"At a time when Irish creators face increasing pressure from global platforms and emerging technologies such as generative AI, the removal of this work from the domestic sector poses questions about the role of our publicly funded broadcaster in supporting Irish creative talent," a statement from SCGI and AIM read.

"We welcome the growth and ambition in Irish made content with Irish independent producers working with more Irish composers, but to be truly ambitious we need to take every opportunity to invest at the highest level in our domestic creators."

SCGI and AIM are engaged in discussions with RTÉ to ensure future commissioning processes are transparent and accessible to Irish composers, support procurement frameworks that include domestic talent, and reinforce RTÉ's role in sustaining Ireland's creative economy.

Formed in 2018, SCGI is a non-profit organisation that represents professional composers of original music for Film, TV, Animations, Advertising and Games.

AIM Ireland represents the independent music industry in Ireland. Its mission is to promote growth, awareness and opportunities for the independent music sector at a national, as well as international level, through advocacy, education and community.