After weeks of speculation and gossip, RTÉ unveiled a major new Radio 1 schedule this morning — the biggest overhaul in 25 years.
Director of Audio Patricia Monahan confirmed the changes, saying they aim to "refresh our output" in line with RTÉ's New Direction Strategy, while keeping "audiences at the heart of our considerations".
1. The first major shake-up in 25 years
It’s been a quarter of a century since RTÉ Radio 1 saw a shake-up of this scale.
The last major overhaul came in December 1998 when Gay Byrne retired after 25 years, prompting a new schedule that has endured with only minor tweaks.
Today's changes redraw that long-standing schedule somewhat. Ms Monahan explained that while the goal is to modernise, the station will "keep the best of it, and [listeners] will still get what they love".
So what is new?
The 9am slot — a new one-hour show when Marian Finucane took it over in 1999 — has since passed through the hands of John Murray, Ryan Tubridy and most recently Oliver Callan.
In this new schedule however, 'The Today Show', long anchored at 10am by Pat Kenny, Sean O’Rourke and Claire Byrne, moves to 9am with David McCullagh in the chair from 3 November.
Oliver Callan, meanwhile, shifts to an extended two-hour programme from 11am.
Other moves include Louise Duffy, who will be relocating to mid-afternoon with a new 3pm–4pm show — shorter than the long-running Afternoon Show previously hosted by Derek Mooney and Ray D’Arcy.
Drivetime, once called 5-7 Live, before starting at the earlier time of 4.30pm with hosts like Rachael English, Mary Wilson, and more recently Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra, will now begin even earlier at 4pm.
Katie Hannon and Colm Ó Mongáin will co-present before handing over at 6pm to a new, yet-to-be-titled sports show.
Ms Monahan emphasised that Ms McInerney and Mr Ó hEadhra "will continue to be a regular presence on RTÉ and Radio 1," though their next roles are still to be confirmed.
There are also knock-on vacancies to fill — David McCullagh’s replacement on Six One News and a new host for the Behind the Story podcast amongst them.
RTÉ also paid tribute to the late Seán Rocks, confirming that details about a new presenter for Arena will be announced later this year.
2. 'Talk to… Kieran'
Much of today’s attention centres on one of the most iconic brands in Irish radio — Liveline.
After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed that Kieran Cuddihy, formerly of Newstalk’s The Hard Shoulder, will succeed Joe Duffy as the host of the phone-in institution
Rumours intensified this week when Newstalk informed staff that Mr Cuddihy was leaving with immediate effect.
RTÉ confirmed the news this morning, that in the near future on, callers to Liveline will indeed be talking to Kieran.
It’s a high-pressure move for both Patricia Monahan and Mr Cuddihy.
Liveline celebrates 40 years on air, tracing its DNA to Marian Finucane’s groundbreaking tenure in 1985. Joe Duffy took over in 1999 and became synonymous with the nation’s afternoon conversations.
Mr Cuddihy is a seasoned presenter with years of live broadcasting experience and recent acclaim for moderating the first presidential debate on Virgin Media’s Tonight Show in September.
Still, Liveline is a unique challenge — fast-paced, emotional, and deeply woven into the fabric of Irish life.
Some questions are raised about whether a traditional phone-in format can thrive when younger audiences prefer to text than talk, but Radio 1 is clear that Kieran Cuddihy is the right man for the hottest seat in Irish broadcasting.
3. Ray D’Arcy’s departure
Another headline-grabbing moment is Ray D’Arcy’s exit from RTÉ after 11 years.
News broke yesterday that Mr D’Arcy was "not in RTÉ's future plans," marking the end of a long and varied career at the broadcaster.
Mr D’Arcy’s influence on Irish media stretches back decades — from his Den days alongside Zig and Zag in the 1980s to his successful tenure of the mid-morning show on Today FM.
His return to Montrose in 2014 brought mixed fortunes, a Saturday night TV show that ran four years before ending in 2019, and his radio tenure has now concluded amid reported tensions.
Following RTÉ’s statement, Mr D’Arcy released one of his own expressing "disappointment" with how station management handled his departure.
For some, the new schedule symbolises a generational shift.
Familiar names — Duffy, D’Arcy, Tubridy, Byrne, and Dobson — once dominated RTÉ’s season launches.
Now, a new crop of presenters step into the spotlight, signalling a deliberate rejuvenation of the station’s daily lineup.
4. David McCullagh at 9am
The decision to move 'the Today Show' to 9am, hosted by David McCullagh, has drawn attention too.
The broadcaster currently fronts Six One News and the Behind the Story podcast and his appointment has been welcomed by many for his deep political knowledge, sharp wit and versatility.
Still, some question whether the earlier slot risks overlap with Morning Ireland now.
On the News at One today, Rachael English asked Patricia Monahan whether this could lead to "overload" in current affairs for the listeners.
Ms Monahan countered that Mr McCullagh is a "very versatile broadcaster" and that the show will balance news analysis with "broader topics, including entertainment, culture, [and] consumer issues."
Mr McCullagh’s move represents a new balance between hard news and accessible conversation, she believes — and a chance for him to bring his trademark mix of authority and humour to a fresh audience.
5. Talk, talk, talk
For years, Radio 1’s midday slot has been a musical oasis amid the talk-heavy lineup.
Hosts like John Creedon, Carrie Crowley, Ronan Collins and most recently, Louise Duffy turned the space into "the number one music programme in the country".
That’s changing now.
With Oliver Callan’s extended two-hour show now airing from 11am to 1pm, the midday show will lean more heavily toward talk, interviews, and personality-driven features.
Meanwhile, Louise Duffy’s new 3pm show will inject a musical element back into afternoons— though it remains to be seen whether Oliver Callan and his team build in more music in their show or will Louise Duffy take the playlists with her.
6. Looking ahead
The new RTÉ Radio 1 schedule represents more than just time changes — it’s a strategic pivot.
It blends familiar voices with new energy and reflects Ms Monahan’s intent to modernise without alienating loyal audiences.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Dr Roddy Flynn from DCU’s School of Communications said the changes highlight radio’s ongoing relevance in a shifting media landscape.
"People are ready to seek out content," he said, adding that podcasting and streaming demonstrates that people will seek out high quality content.
His takeaway? When reshaping a national broadcaster’s daily rhythm, the only real question that matters is: What’s good, what’s necessary — and will people go to it? The answer to that lies with listeners in the days, weeks and JNLR surveys ahead.
