Photo: Gareth ChaneyA new public service broadcaster should be considered in the event of a united Ireland, researchers have said. The report, launched today, examined whether BBC Northern Ireland would continue, whether RTE would take over, or if a new body should be set up in the event of a united Ireland. It said that maintaining the status quo was "most likely a non-starter", because the region of Northern Ireland would be outside the UK TV Licence framework in a reunified Ireland. Instead, it said that a new public service media in the event of Irish unity should be considered, provisionally called Public Media Ireland. The research, compiled by academics from Ulster University and Dublin City University, acknowledges that Irish reunification is not imminent or inevitable.

Source: Irish Independent January 14, 2026 02:00 UTC