A decision is due this week on the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland’s plan to give commercial television stations an extra two minutes of advertising time each hour, starting in August.

The proposal, which is designed to buoy commercial revenues, has been opposed by independent radio stations and by the National Newspapers of Ireland group.

The change would bring Irish TV stations in line with British competitors in terms of the permissible length of their commercial breaks, but would leave them with twice RTE’s advertising time.

Tags: Advertising, BAI, Independent stations