RTÉ has announced that this Friday’s edition of the daytime programme ‘Seoige’ will be the last. The series, presented by sisters Gráinne and Síle Seoige, will finish its run on Friday 24 April as planned and a new series will not be commissioned for the autumn.
Steve Carson, Director of Programmes, RTÉ Television said: “The decision not to re-commission another series of Seoige is a financial one, necessitated by a significant shortfall in revenue in the last quarter of 2008 and so far in 2009. The series has been very successful for RTÉ, its audience has grown each year, and it has carved out a loyal following. Traditionally, RTÉ has only broadcast one home-produced daytime show. A second was introduced 6 years ago, facilitated by a buoyant economy and increasing revenue. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Tyrone Productions team for their dedication and hard work, and of course the presenters, Gráinne and Síle Seoige, for their professionalism, commitment and polish on live television five-days-a-week. We’re looking forward to working with Gráinne next season on some major peak time projects and I’m sure we’ll also be working with Síle again in the near future.”
‘Seoige’, (previously Seoige & O’Shea), produced by Tyrone Productions, has run for three years on RTÉ. Presented by Gráinne Seoige for all three years, joined by Joe O’Shea for the first two seasons, and her sister, Síle Seoige in the last, the average audience in the last season was 121,000 in the later daytime slot (16.25-17.15) Monday-Friday on RTÉ One.
John McHugh, Chief Executive Tyrone Productions, said: “I’m naturally disappointed that we will not be producing another season of Seoige but I am proud of the fact that we are going out on a high. The fact that the show’s audience has grown year on year is a tribute to the hard work of its talented team behind and in front of camera. We’re looking forward to bringing another series of the ‘All Ireland Talent Show’ to RTÉ next season and of course working with Gráinne on that. She’s is a consummate broadcaster and a pleasure to work with. Síle has done a fantastic job this season and I hope that we will work together again in the near future.”
The last episode of ‘Seoige’ will be broadcast on Friday 24 April at 4.25pm on RTÉ One. RTÉ Television will announce full details of autumn programming, at a later date.
