Independent broadcasters should get a share of the TV licence fee under new rules to be revealed later.
Until now RTÉ has been the sole recipient of the funds,but other operators expect to have their annual levy cut or scrapped.
The changes are part of plans to overhaul the broadcasting sector.
The rules will also be tightened to clamp down on licence fee evaders with more inspectors being hired.
However plans to extend licence fees to laptops and tablets have been scrapped.