Details have been announced of RTÉ Television's Winter/Spring season 2008.
Launching the new season, Noel Curran, Managing Director of RTÉ Television said: "Eighteen of the top 20 programmes broadcast in Ireland in 2007 were RTÉ programmes and it's particularly satisfying that all of those RTÉ programmes were home-produced. It proves once again that viewers in Ireland really engage with indigenous production."
As a result, over 30 new home-grown series are lined up for Spring and early Summer 2008 on RTÉ Television.
Other highlights of the new season include a range of new factual programmes, international shows and brand new lifestyle and comedy programmes, in addition to the return of existing popular series.
New Entertainment Shows
Among the new entertainment programmes are Lucy Kennedy's 'Living with Lucy', where the 'Podge and Rodge Show' hostess spends three days living in the houses of various celebrities to find out what really makes them tick.
RTÉ Television will also showcase the work of a new Irish comic in 'Katherine Lynch's Working Girls' while 'Hollywood Trials' documents the journeys of 10 young actors in the US.
New Drama
'Fit' and 'Whistleblower' are just two of five new drama offerings for the first half of 2008.
RTÉ Television will also air its major adaptation of Eugene O'Brien's award-winning play, 'Eden'.
International Shows
Among the line-up of international series returning on RTÉ Television are the acclaimed US shows 'Prison Break' and 'Lost'.
New Home-grown Shows
RTÉ Television's Lifestyle strand will unveil a total of 10 new series: 'Not Enough Hours' looks at real people struggling to achieve a healthy life balance, while 'The Ultimate Guide to Everything' judges self-help books by the promises made on their covers.
RTÉ Lifestyle will welcome back some of its most successful formats, including 'Baby On Board' and 'Showhouse'.
Diversity
Acclaimed series 'Surgeons', 'Family Silver', and 'Flesh and Blood' will all return alongside several newly commissioned series, including Des Bishop's 'In the Name of the Fada' and David Coleman's '21st Century Child'.
New Factual Shows
Among the new factual shows are two science series and a range of exploratory documentaries. Mark Little gets set for the US Presidential race in 'The Last Emperor' while 'George Lee: In China' profiles China in a major four-part series.
Arts
The 'Arts Lives' series is to feature programmes on, amongst others, Nóirín Ní Riain, Pat McCabe and Ronnie Drew.
Programmes for Young People,
Younger viewers can expect a full schedule of new, innovative and engaging indigenous programming including 'Quizone' and 'Watch Your Language'. Newly commissioned programmes include 'Mini Myths and Legends', 'Grabby' and 'Roary the Racing Car'.
For more on the new season click here.
