Press Release

Clare Duignan, Managing Director of RTÉ Radio, has welcomed the announcement of RTÉ Radio’s new 2011-2012 season. The new season again features RTÉ Radio’s top-rating programmes and presenters, with commitments maintained across RTÉ Radio’s key public-service objectives.

Says Ms Duignan: “Three years ago, as the country slid into unprecedented economic difficulty, we in RTÉ Radio made a pledge: that we would do all we could to protect our programme output and to serve our listeners to the maximum on air.”

Ms Duignan continued that the new season sees RTÉ Radio’s public service commitment extending into ambitious online plans, including the launch of the new RTÉ Radio Player.

She said: “Off-air, big changes are on the way on-line, with the launch of the new RTÉ Radio Player. Despite the financial challenges, it is imperative that we keep pace with technology. Like other services in RTÉ, we in RTÉ Radio are making every effort to ensure that when Ireland emerges into better times, the citizens of this country will still have a vibrant, relevant, national public service radio broadcaster.”

RTÉ Radio 1
With 18 of the top-twenty most-listened-to programmes in Ireland, RTÉ Radio 1’s top-rating daytime and weekend schedule gets into full-swing on September 5th. The new season on Morning Ireland sees presenter Rachael English take up a full-time role on Ireland’s most-listened-to radio show; Rachael goes to five mornings a week on Morning Ireland alongside colleagues Aine Lawlor, Cathal MacCoille and Aoife Kavanagh.

The move coincides with the most significant changes to the RTÉ Radio 1 Saturday schedule in many years, as Nob Nation’s Oliver Callan brings satire back to Saturdays with Green Tea. The series debuted on RTÉ Radio 1 earlier in the year with a number of specials; the programme now takes up a permanent slot at 1pm on Radio 1. Also on Saturdays, at 1.30pm, RTÉ’s Charlie Bird will present Saturday with Charlie Bird. Tune in as one of Ireland’s most accomplished journalists follows the big stories around the county to report on the issues as they happen, where they happen.

The new season sees Radio 1 consolidate its commitment to new drama, as RTÉ Radio’s drama department debuts four new plays in association with The Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival. RTÉ Radio was named Broadcaster of the Year in New York this year, and highlights from the station’s new documentary season include programmes on the tragic sinking by the German Air Force of a cross-channel ferry on the Rosslare-Fishguard route, and From Tehran to Thomond, which follows two Iranians who find love in Limerick after meeting in a Pakistani refugee camp. Radio 1’s unparalleled arts coverage continues with Arena, Book on One, The Francis McManus Season and Arts Tonight. The new season also promises more live music programming.

In Sport, the popular and growing Sport @ Seven slot returns to 7pm weeknights, while RTÉ’s A-list sport team will front Saturday and Sunday Sport through the GAA season and beyond. Radio 1’s Michael Corcoran will also bring his own brand of enthusiasm to the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

Meanwhile the race for the park will be a stand-out political event on RTÉ Radio 1, with unparalleled coverage from the team who brought listeners Election 2011. Listeners can continue to get the latest on Twitter (@rteradio1), while Radio 1’s YouTube and Facebook pages will continue to bring listeners original and exclusive online content every day.

Online
RTÉ Radio has announced the imminent launch of the new RTÉ Radio Player. The player, which joins the already hugely successful RTÉ Player, promises to revolutionise the online radio experience. Flash-based, the new RTÉ Radio Player will offer listeners an easy-access listen-live experience, with easy-to-follow podcast, listen-back and “share” functionality. For the first time listeners can search, target and share specific items and switch between RTÉ Radio’s eleven services with ease. The new RTÉ Radio Player will launch alongside the new RTÉ Radio homepage, where mirrored functionality will allow listeners to explore the breadth of RTÉ Radio’s diverse and broad offering. The Player is expected to publicly launch later in the year.

RTÉ 2fm
Ryan Tubridy returns to his 2fm morning show fresh from his success on BBC Radio 2 and with a taste to get on the road. Although plans are firmly under-wraps, listeners nationwide should keep an eye out for Mr Tubridy. Hector continues to wake up the west, and the rest, live from Galway every morning at 7, while Colm Hayes takes the nation’s pulse every morning at 11. 2fm promises more live music in the new season, with coverage from Electric Picnic and Arthur’s Day. Ireland, meanwhile, is the focus country at Eurosonic 2012, Europe’s biggest new music event, and 2fm is the anchor broadcaster.

RTÉ lyric fm
He may not be moving into the Park, but Gay Byrne stays in residence on lyric fm, alongside popular presenters Marty Whelan, John Kelly and Liz Nolan. Lyric’s emphasis on specialist genre and feature programming is strongly evident in the new season too, with specialist programming from Wexford Festival Opera and Cork Jazz. New jazz seasons, and a wealth of anniversary programming featuring legends from the world of opera, jazz and classical music, flesh out what promises to be a rich new season. Lyric’s lunchtime and Friday concerts will plug a global audience into the live classical experience, while special initiatives like Choirs for Christmas and More Music Monday return as lyric continues to grow a discerning and loyal audience.

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
RnaG’s strong regional emphasis continues in the new season, with live programming daily from Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Dublin. Popular RnaG presenters Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile, SBB, Cormac Ó hEaghra, Cian Ó Cíobháin and Ronan Mac Aodha Bhuí return in the new season.

Surveys have repeatedly found that the quality of the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta news service is one of the prime motivating factors for listeners and this autumn the station will continue to develop its news service, covering national, international and regional stories. Award-winning morning current-affairs programme Adhmhaidin, which celebrates 25 years on air this year, will be back at 8 a.m. weekday mornings with Gearóid Mac Donncha at the helm, while Máirín Ní Ghadhra will head up lunchtime news programme Nuacht a hAon. The race for the park will begin in earnest in the autumn, and Beirní Ní Chuinn, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s newly-appointed Political Editor, will keep listeners abreast of all developments, as well as offering analysis of breaking political stories.

RTÉ Digital Radio
RTÉ’s seven digital-only and online stations have unveiled exceptionally diverse schedules for the new season, with niche dance, alternative and rock music shows alongside Ireland’s only children’s radio station. RTÉ Choice will continue to showcase the best of public radio from around the world.