Introduction

Three years ago, as the country slid into unprecedented economic difficulty, we in RTÉ Radio made a pledge: that whatever cut-backs we had to make, however many personnel we lost, however much our revenue and budgets were reduced, we would do all we could to protect our programme output and to serve our listeners to the maximum on air.

Three years on, I’m introducing, once again, a new autumn schedule on RTÉ Radio. Through huge effort, and despite the very substantial financial challenges which we continue to face, RTÉ Radio staff are about to deliver a schedule as strong as that in any other year. On Radio 1: more drama production, more documentary, more live music; on lyric, more feature programming, more live music; on 2fm, a sustained commitment to the Irish music scene and a new vigour on daytime; on RnaG: peerless regional coverage, news and sport. On RTÉ Digital, thanks to the energy of volunteer presenters and a small team in RTÉ Radio, we will maintain our commitment to our digital services, with niche dance, alternative and rock music. Also on Digital Radio, we will keep and make better Ireland’s only children’s radio station, and RTÉ Choice will continue to showcase the best of public radio from around the world.

Off-air, big changes are on the way on-line, with the launch of the new RTÉ Radio Player. In addition, RTÉ Radio will be on-the-road, serving regional communities, more than ever before.

This year RTÉ Radio was named Broadcaster of the Year in New York. Raidio na Gaeltachta was named Celtic Media Station of the Year. Lyric fm was named PPI Music Station of the Year. RTÉ Radio, in fact, has won almost 60 international and national awards in the last year, in Europe, in the United States and in the UK. Challenging times have served to emphasise RTÉ Radio’s public service role.

Like other services in RTÉ, we in RTÉ Radio are making every effort to ensure that when we as a nation emerge into better times, the citizens of this country will still have a vibrant, national, public service radio broadcaster.

CLARE DUIGNAN
MD, RTÉ Radio

 

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