An investment in home-produced factual programming is to deliver over 40 hours of brand new programming including a series exploring contemporary Irish childhood from three distinct perspectives – gifted children; child carers and bullying; a three-part series exploring the evolution of crime in Ireland over the past four decades in ‘Badfellas’; an RTÉ/BBCNI series which tells ‘The Story of Ireland’ from earliest times right up to the present day authored by Feargal Keane and ‘Ireland’s Greatest’ and ‘Freefall’, a two part series examining the Irish banking crisis..
Where entertainment programmes are concerned RTÉ One and RTÉ Two are to show over 60 hours of programming. The returning series amongst these include ‘The Late Late Show’ with Ryan Tubridy; ‘The Saturday Night Show with Brendan O’Connor’, which returns following its debut run this year, and ‘The Panel’ which will see Craig Doyle as its new host. These will broadcast alongside ‘The Savage Eye’, ‘Livin’ with Lucy’ and alternative music show ‘Under Ether’ with Michelle Doherty. New entertainment series starting include an untitled project starring Pat Shortt (Mattie) and Brendan O’Carroll (Mrs Brown’s Boys); RTÉ Two will see Lucy Kennedy (Livin’ with Lucy) and Baz Ashmawy (How Low Can You Go?) launch the search for the ultimate volunteers in ‘Do The Right Thing’, Jennifer Maguire will present a new dating show entitled ‘One Night Stand’ all of which will transmit with other new series including ‘OMG! It’s Jedward’, ‘ICA Bootcamp’, ‘Spooked’ and ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’.
Weekday viewers will see the introduction of two daytime programmes-in-one as Maura Derrane will anchor ‘4 Daily’, a lifestyle show which will deliver tips, stories, information and advice on all lifestyle matters: parenting, gardening, cooking, health, fashion and many more which ties in with ‘Daily Extra’ where Claire Byrne will team up with Daithí Ó Sé (The Rose of Tralee) for a daily digest of stories hitting the headlines and hitting our screens – from human interest to celebrity gossip; political intrigue to sporting success; international events to national preoccupations. In other Lifestyle programming 10 new shows will be launched including ‘The Model Scouts’; where two top international model scouts will give one Irish girl the opportunity of a lifetime, whilst Eddie Hobbs and Keelin Shanley will offer consumer advice in ‘The Consumer Show’. Returning series include ‘Fergal Quinn’s Retail Therapy’, ‘At Your Service’ and ‘Off the Rails’.
Irish drama on RTÉ One and Two will feature more than 82 hours of storytelling through series such as ‘Love/Hate’, a four-part series set in Dublin’s gangland starring Robert Sheehan (Cherrybomb) and Aidan Gillen (The Wire); ‘Wild Decembers’ written by Edna O’Brien; ‘When Harvey Met Bob’, starring Domhnall Gleeson (Your Bad Self) as Bob Geldof alongside returning series ‘Raw’ and ‘Single Handed’. Furthermore, having won RTÉ’s online StoryLand competition, the ‘Hardy Bucks’ will make their TV debut on RTÉ Two. ‘Fair City’ will celebrate its 21st anniversary as a new family takes residence in Carrigstown and Suzanne and Damien’s marital discord reaches a climax.
Two new schedules of young people’s programming, to replace ‘The Den’, will also be launched in September.
Speaking at the recent launch of programming for the new season Glen Killane, Managing Director of Television, said: “This season’s schedule is particularly strong and I think it absolutely achieves what we’re here to do: to entertain, to inform and to involve. In spite of the continuing pressures of recession, we have more factual programming, more entertainment, and more drama than this time last year. That’s been made possible by rigorous cost-management, with all available resources concentrated on programme-making. We’ll also be launching two brand new schedules for our young viewers next month alongside two new daytime programmes for the season ahead. Complemented by comprehensive news and current affairs, sport, and the best of internationally-produced programming, I think it’s a schedule offering compelling programming to audiences of all ages.”
Steve Carson, RTÉ’s Director of Programmes further commented on the new programming schedule saying: “RTÉ is Ireland’s largest creative organisation and our programming is testament to that. So far this year, RTÉ has again delivered all ten of the Top 10 most-watched programmes. [Nielsen Television Audience Measurement] These shows created by RTÉ staff and independent producers alike, demonstrate how home-produced and distinctively Irish programming appeals to viewers in this country. This new season on RTÉ Television promises to build on that track record. We hope that you enjoy it.”
