RTÉ Television launches schedule of rich and diverse home-programming for the 2010/2011 Season

Over 54 brand new home-produced series/documentaries for the new 2010/2011 season*

Over 52 new editions of returning home-produced series/documentaries for the new season*

Speaking at the launch of programming for the new season today (Thursday 5 August, 2010) at RTÉ Television Studios, Glen Killane, Managing Director of Television, said: "This season's schedule is particularly strong and I think it absolutely achieves what we're here to do: to entertain, to inform and to involve. In spite of the continuing pressures of recession, we have more factual programming, more entertainment, and more drama than this time last year. That's been made possible by rigorous cost-management, with all available resources concentrated on programme-making. We'll also be launching two brand new schedules for our young viewers next month alongside two new daytime programmes for the season ahead. Complemented by comprehensive news and current affairs, sport, and the best of internationally-produced programming, I think it's a schedule offering compelling programming to audiences of all ages."

Increased hours and investment in home-produced factual programming delivers over 40 hours of brand new programming including:

o Series exploring contemporary Irish childhood from three distinct perspectives - gifted children; child carers and bullying;

o Three-part series exploring the evolution of crime in Ireland over the past four decades in Badfellas

o From Here to Maternity - six-part observational documentary series in one of Ireland's busiest maternity hospitals

o An intimate portrait of life in nursing homes The Home

o A series which tells The Story of Ireland from earliest times right up to the present day - an RTÉ/ BBCNI co-production, authored by Feargal Keane

o As well as Ireland's Greatest, Freefall, a two part series examining the Irish banking crisis and Reeling in the Years.

Increased investment in entertainment programmes for RTÉ One and for RTÉ Two delivers over 60 hours of brand new home-produced programming as well as returning favourites:

o On RTÉ One, Ryan Tubridy returns to host The Late Late Show after a triumphant first season which delivered the most-watched television programme of the decade, and the most-watched of the first half of this year.

o The Saturday Night Show with Brendan O'Connor returns following a hugely successful debut run.

o New series starring two of Ireland's perennially popular comic talents: Pat Shortt (Mattie) and Brendan O'Carroll (Mrs Brown's Boys)

o The Panel returns with new host Craig Doyle at the helm.

o On RTÉ Two, Lucy Kennedy and Baz Ashmawy launch the search for the ultimate volunteers in Do The Right Thing,

o Jennifer Maguire presents new dating show One Night Stand

o A new strand of popular entertainment documentaries, include OMG! It's Jedward, ICA Bootcamp, Spooked and Don't Tell The Bride.

o Return of the critically acclaimed comedy series The Savage Eye as well as, The Republic of Telly, Livin' with Lucy and alternative music show Under Ether with Michelle Doherty.

RTÉ Television delivers quality and value to weekday viewers with two daytime programmes-in-one:

o Maura Derrane anchors 4 Daily a lifestyle show which will deliver tips, stories, information and advice on all lifestyle matters: parenting, gardening, cooking, health, fashion and many more.

o Claire Byrne teams up with Daithí Ó Sé to host Daily Extra, a daily digest of stories hitting the headlines and hitting our screens - from human interest to celebrity gossip; political intrigue to sporting success; international events to national preoccupations.

In other Lifestyle programming, some of Ireland's best known talents give viewers the benefit of their expertise across 10 new shows as well as several new editions of returning series including:

o Two top international model scouts give one Irish girl the opportunity of a lifetime in The Model Scouts, while Eddie Hobbs and Keelin Shanley offer consumer advice in The Consumer Show.

o New series of proven viewer favourites Feargal Quinn's Retail Therapy, At Your Service and Off The Rails.

More Irish drama this season than last with more than 82 hours of resonant storytelling for viewers in this country, featuring the best of creative talent on and offscreen:

o Love/Hate- new four-part series set in Dublin's gangland starring Robert Sheehan and Aidan Gillen.

o Wild Decembers written by Edna O'Brien

o When Harvey Met Bob starring Domhnall Gleeson as Bob Geldof

o Having won RTÉ's online StoryLand competition, the Hardy Bucks make their TV debut on RTÉ Two

o Return of hugely popular and critically acclaimed Raw and Single-Handed.

o Fair City celebrates its 21st anniversary as a new family takes residence in Carrigstown and Suzanne and Damien's marital discord reaches a climax.

Two completely new schedules of young people's programming, to replace The Den, to be launched next month.

Steve Carson, Director of Programmes, RTÉ Television, said: "RTÉ is Ireland's largest creative organisation and our programming is testament to that. So far this year, RTÉ has again delivered all ten of the Top 10 most-watched programmes***. These shows created by RTÉ staff and independent producers alike, demonstrate how home-produced and distinctively Irish programming appeals to viewers in this country. This new season on RTÉ Television promises to build on that track record. We hope that you enjoy it."

* Excludes new Young Peoples programming which is being launched next month.

** 55 New Series/documentaries were launched last year (including Young Peoples Programming) and 45 returning series/documentaries (including Young Peoples Programming)

*** Source: Nielsen Television Audience Measurement