Mary Curtis has been appointed RTÉ’s director of digital switchover, with responsibility for moving audiences over to the new Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) system in the next two years.
Curtis, who is currently deputy director of programmes in RTÉ Television, will take up her new position in September 2010 and will report to RTÉ’s director general.
According to RTÉ, the post consolidates all the existing reporting lines and responsibilities within the organisation into a single office. Curtis will lead the RTÉ project in the communications, marketing, technical, regulatory, public information and liaison activities.
The broadcaster said the role is designed to ensure that the public is able and encouraged to use the new DTT infrastructure currently being put in place across Ireland by RTÉNL.
The director’s role will also involve co-ordinating decisions on the key RTÉ content and configuration of channels to be provided in the rollout of DTT services and in the next, wider phase of service expansion.
“RTÉ believes it is necessary to have a key senior manager and team in place to lead the project and to liaise with internal and external stakeholders – so that the digital switchover (DSO) proposition and challenge is clearly understood by all parties and is communicated effectively to all members of the general public,” said RTÉ director general Cathal Goan. “The project leader role is of significant strategic importance for RTÉ.”
