RTE's new season includes focus on creative talent
RTÉ today announced a slate of new impactful Irish programming, star signings and a strong focus on climate as part of its upcoming new season.
Climate and environmental issues remain one of our greatest challenges. This November, to put a focus on the scale of the problem, RTÉ will devote an entire week of investigations, events and debate to the issue. A Youth Assembly will be the heart of our RTÉ on Climate Week, where 157 young people will meet in the Dáil to debate the issues.
RTÉ is set to remain the undisputed home of free-to-air sport, with coverage of our national teams and greatest athletes on the world stage from rugby to soccer, rowing and hockey. Our national games remain at the heart of RTÉ’s Sport offering with the addition of the AIB All-Ireland GAA Club Championships ensuring GAA is delivered all year round.
RTÉ Sport will be the home of the Irish team for the Rugby World Cup with new signings Jamie Heaslip, Donncha O’Callaghan and Michael Lynagh adding to its stellarRugby World Cup panel as Six Nations winning captain Fiona Coughlan joins the commentary team.
RTÉ will continue to uncover impactful Irish stories that need to be told, with new series including Quinn Country, Redress Board and The Teenage Ambassadors, alongside RTÉ’s ongoing commitment to quality journalism and news and current affairs. From Ireland’s most-listened to radio programme, Morning Ireland, through to Claire Byrne Live, Prime Time and The Late Debate, RTÉ is the most trusted source of news and current affairs in the country. As we count down to Brexit, RTÉ will cover every twist and turn.
RTÉ remains at the centre of public discourse with its investigative journalism. RTÉ Investigates is set to uncover a number of major new stories this new season, along with more ground-breaking documentaries.
RTÉ is continuing to focus on scripted drama and comedy and developing new creative talent with a series of co-partners. New drama includes Dublin Murders with Sarah Greene, Killian Scott and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and the return of The Young Offenders, as well as a series of new comedy pilots in partnership with Screen Ireland.
Home of the biggest entertainment shows on Irish television, RTÉ also continues to bring families together for the biggest live event programming throughout the year. The Late Late Show, Dancing with the Stars, The Ray D’Arcy Show and The Tommy Tiernan Show return this new season. Joining the stellar line-up is magician Keith Barry with The Keith Barry Experience while the godfather of Irish comedy is celebrated in Brendan Grace: Thanks for the Memories.
Speaking at the launch, RTÉ Director-General Dee Forbes said: “Public service media has never been more important. Independent journalism, local stories, home-grown performers, writers and artists: these are what you will see in a diverse schedule which, across television, radio and online, demonstrates the breadth of what RTÉ delivers to Irish life, and underlines how important public service media is in reflecting who we were, who we are today, and where we’re going.”
RTÉ Director of Audience, Channels and Marketing, Adrian Lynch said: “What an exciting new season we have to look forward to. RTÉ’s diverse content reaches over 90% of Irish audiences weekly across all its services. To be the home of the Irish rugby team, give a platform for younger voices as they participate in the Youth Assembly during RTÉ On Climate week, to engage Irish audiences with some of the biggest live entertainment shows, are all examples of our role in Irish life. RTÉ continues to deliver trusted journalism as well as shaping the nation with our impactful stories. This is RTÉ at its best.
RTÉ ON CLIMATE
RTÉ’s season on climate will see a range of brand-new content across all platforms. We explore climate and environmental issues facing Ireland, with specially commissioned documentaries, events and debates. Gerald Fleming fronts Will Ireland Survive 2050, RTÉ News will continue to put a focus on climate with special reports from Paul Cunningham, and Philip Boucher-Hayes will report in a special programme on government actions and inactions when it comes to climate.
IMPACTFUL STORIES
RTÉ will continue to uncover impactful Irish stories that need to be told, with new series including Quinn Country, Redress Board and The Teenage Ambassadors, alongside RTÉ’s ongoing commitment to quality journalism and news and current affairs. From Ireland’s most-listened to radio programme,Morning Ireland, through to Claire Byrne Live, Prime Time and The Late Debate, RTÉ is the most trusted source of news and current affairs in the country.
DRAMA AND COMEDY
Brand new drama and comedy this new season includes Dublin Murders, Sarah Greene, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor and Killan Scott, Irish period mystery Dead Still, and a brand new series of the ever popular The Young Offenders. RTÉ’s commitment to developing new creative talent is underlined with a new season RTÉ/Screen Ireland comedy pilots. Ireland’s most-watched soap Fair Citycelebrates 30 years, with an hour-long special and the explosive reappearance of some faces from the past.
BIGGEST SHOWS AND BRIGHTEST STARS
RTÉ will continue to deliver the biggest live shows, and bring the nation together for must-see family entertainment. The Keith Barry Experience adds to an already stellar line-up with The Late Late Show, Room To Improve, The Ray D’arcy Show, Ireland’s Fittest Family and The Tommy Tiernan Show. The godfather of comedy, Brendan Grace, is celebrated in Brendan Grace: Thanks for the Memories, while Dancing with the Stars will sparkle on screens with new dancers added to the professional line-up.
SPORT
RTÉ remains the undisputed home of free-to-air sport, bringing the nation together to support our teams at home and abroad. From the Rugby World Cup in Japan, to grassroots level with the AIB GAA Club Championships, to Women’s 6 Nations to the World Rowing Championships, we are bringing audiences closer to the action.
REAL IRISH STORIES
RTÉ provides a trusted platform for Irish people to share their stories. This is reflected across new season programming including The Rotunda, The Yellow Brick Road, Changing Ireland, Raised by the Village, Harvest Week and My Big Day Home or Away.