RTÉ Television has announced details of its new season, with new entertainment formats, new drama series, the best international shows and over 30 hours of new documentaries among the highlights.
Launching the new season, Noel Curran, Managing Director, RTÉ Television, said: "On course to provide almost 3,500 hours of home-produced content this year, this new season is one of true range and diversity. Distinctive, inclusive and agenda-setting, RTÉ Television will continue to build a rich legacy for viewers in Ireland today, and into the future."
Favourites Return
'The Late Late Show', 'Tubridy Tonight', 'Killinaskully', 'The Panel', 'Ryan Confidential', 'Anonymous' and 'Dan & Becs' all return for new series, while major TV events include the RTÉ People in Need Telethon and the Eurovision Dance Contest.
New Entertainment Shows
Among the new entertainment programmes are the hidden camera show 'I Dare Ya', the spoof documentary series 'The English Class', the youth talent show 'Class Act', the adventures of Jake Stevens in the US in 'Making Jake' and the animated satire 'Langerland'.
New Lifestyle Shows
RTÉ's new lifestyle programmes include the Joe Duffy-presented consumer bargain show 'Highly Recommended', the Gerry Ryan-hosted get fit show 'Operation Transformation', the living abroad series 'Living the Dream' and 'Diarmuid's Pony Kids', where Diarmuid Gavin and Jessica Kürten train five youngsters for show-jumping careers.
Other highlights include the home revamp show 'Home Salvage', 'The Eco House Challenge' and 'The Corrigan Challenge', which sees chef Richard Corrigan working within budget, dietary and space constraints.
'The Afternoon Show', 'Off the Rails', 'Seoige and O'Shea', 'The Restaurant', 'Rachel's Favourite Food', 'How Long Will You Live?' and 'No Frontiers' are among the programmes returning to screens in the coming months also.
New Factual Shows
Among the factual shows are new series of 'True Lives' and 'Hidden History', David McWilliams' new series 'The Generation Game', 'High Society', an exploration of cocaine use in Ireland, and 'A Boyzone Wedding', a three-part documentary which follows singer-turned-reality-TV-star Shane Lynch as he prepares for his wedding.
Diversity
Des Bishop is back on TV to learn Irish in his new series 'In the Name of the Fada' while 'Families in Trouble' presenter David Coleman tracks the development of 15 children from before birth to age six in '21st Century Child'.
Mark Little's The Last Emperor'' looks at the run-up to the US elections and 'George Lee in China' examines economic, social and political issues.
New Drama
New dramas on RTÉ Television include 'Prosperity', four stories set in Ireland on the same day examining the lives of four people on the margins, the romantic comedy 'No Laughing Matter' and an adaptation of Eugene O'Brien's award-winning play 'Eden'.
The drama highlights also include the return of 'The Clinic' for a new series and a new two-part follow-up to the police drama 'Single Handed', 'The Stolen Child'.
International Shows
Among the line-up of international series on RTÉ Television are the acclaimed new US shows 'Damages', 'Dirty Filthy Money' and 'Cashmere Mafia', and the latest series of favourites 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Desperate Housewives', 'Prison Break' and 'Lost'.
Arts and Music
The 'Arts Lives' series is to feature programmes on, among others, John Banville, Patrick McCabe, Graham Linehan and Noirín Ní Riain, while 'The View', 'The Last Broadcast', 'Come West Along the Road' and 'The Transatlantic Sessions' also return for new series.
Programmes for Young People
New young people's programmes include a new daily entertainment show called 'Ice', 'The Café', 'No Experience Required: Transition Year' and 'Sweet@ The Café', a new studio discussion show.
For full information on RTÉ Television's new season, click here.
Watch the promo for the new season on RTÉ Television here.
