Follow TV Tropes

Following

Creator / RTÉ

Go To

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rte_transparent.png
The long-running RTÉ logo, in use since 1995.

Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ; Irish for "Radio, Television of Ireland") is Ireland's state broadcaster. Until 1996, when TG4 (the Irish language channel) was established, it broadcast the only two TV channels in the Republic of Ireland. note 

RTÉ's major radio channels can also be heard - probably quite deliberately, so as to serve the diaspora - over most of the British mainland. RTÉ television is also broadcast to the six counties of Northern Ireland.

Radio

RTÉ Radio 1

The principal radio channel and is the direct descendant of radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926. The first voice on Irish radio was Séamus Clandillon's, saying, "Seo Raidió 2RN, Baile Átha Cliath ag teastáil", Irish for "This is Radio 2RN, Dublin calling". A rare modern example of a mixed radio network, since it broadcasts a mixture of music and speech programmes. Some noteworthy shows are:

  • Liveline: Hosted by Joe Duffy. Famous for being a programme for people to ring up and complain about various things that bother them, whether major or minor. It often exposes scams or social injustices. Often parodied with catchphrases such as "It's terrible, Joe", "It's a disgrace, Joe" etc. Also parodied in The Savage Eye as 'John Duffy' (because Joe Duffy allegedly took offence to his real name being used).
  • Mooney: Hosted by the eponymous Derek Mooney and Brenda Donohue and successor to a previous weekend-only show, Mooney Goes Wild. It is a chat show and nature show, particularly focusing on birds of various kind. In April 2012, a caller was attacked live on air by a swarm of bees whilst receiving advice from a bee expert guest.

RTÉ 2fm

The second national radio station. Throughout its history, variously called Radio 2 (1979—1988), 2FM (1988—1999) until settling on its current name in 2000. It broadcasts Popular culture and shows for young people. Some noteworthy shows are:

RTÉ lyric fm

A classical-music station, based in Limerick and launched in 1999. It had developed from FM3 Classical Music, which began broadcasting in 1984. It plays classical, jazz, and world music and arts.

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

The Irish-language radio service. Began in 1972 and is based in Co Galway. It broadcasts Irish language shows and traditional Irish music.

Television

RTÉ One (HD)

Flagship television channel; it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961. It was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ 2 in 1978. Its main focuses are news, soaps, drama and arts. Amongst the original shows it broadcasts are:

  • Dragons' Den: The Irish version. The Irish Dragons are Gavin Duffy, Peter Casey, Ramona Nicholas, Sean O'Sullivan and Barry O'Sullivan.
  • Dublin Murders
  • Eurovision Song Contest: 1971, 1981, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997.
  • Fair City: A Soap Opera set in Dublin, running since 1989.
  • Foreign Exchange: a short lived Australian-Irish co-production that has a meeting an Australian boy meeting an Irish girl through a Cool Gate.
  • The Hanging Gale a mini-series coproduced by The BBC about the Potato Famine of 1846.
  • The Late Late Show (RTÉ): The world's longest-running chat show and the official flagship television programme of RTÉ. A talk show and variety show that has been running since 1962, it has been presented by Gay Byrne (1962—1999), Pat Kenny (1999—2009), Ryan Tubridy (2009—2023) and current presenter Patrick Kielty (2023—present). Famously gives out prizes to the audience, "There's one for everyone in the audience" being a catchphrase. Not to be confused with the similarly named American CBS show presented by James Corden.
    • The Late Late Toy Show: A staple of Irish Christmas television and usually the most watched programme of the year on Irish television. As the name suggests, it is a special Christmas toy-themed edition of the normal show. Traditionally, the presenter wears a (usually tacky) Christmas jumper. Different toys are demonstrated by the kids to the presenter and musical guests play pieces of music. Usually broadcasts in late November/early December.
  • Love/Hate (2010-14): A crime drama that became Ireland's most critically acclaimed and popular domestically-produced TV series ever with comparisons to similar shows of the era like The Wire.
  • Nationwide: A human interest and cultural events programme, presented by Anne Cassin and Mary Kennedy.
  • Oireachtas Report: A nightly programme which (briefly) covers proceedings in the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament). Presented by Conor Hunt.
  • Prime Time: A current affairs programme presented by Miriam O'Callaghan.
  • Reeling In the Years: A historical documentary series. Each episode looks back at the news and events of a particular year, from 1962 to 2009 using news archive footage, along with subtitles as the means of narration. Music from the particular year is also played over the footage.
  • RTÉ News: Six One: The main evening news bulletin. It is 6:01 rather than 6:00 sharp because RTÉ1 still broadcasts a minute of the Angelus bells, although it does not feature as much Catholic religious imagery these days as it used to. The Six One News is mainly presented by Bryan Dobson and Sharon Ní Bheoláin, with Úna O'Hagan, Eileen Whelan or Aengus Mac Grianna as relief presenters.
  • Strumpet City: An ambitious Mini Series based on the novel.
  • The Voice of Ireland: A reality singing competition show hosted by Kathryn Thomas and judged by Niall 'Bressie' Breslin, Kian Egan and Jamelia.
  • Winning Streak: A Game Show in which players play for cash prizes and holidays. Presented by Marty Whelan and Geri Maye.

Simultaneously broadcasts (from The BBC):

RTÉ 2 (HD)

The second RTÉ channel, launched on 2 November 1978 as RTÉ 2. It was then known as Network 2 (1988–-1997) N2 (1997–-2004) and RTÉ Two (2004—2014) before finally settling on its current name. It broadcasts cartoons, comedies, imported American and British shows and sports. Amongst its original shows are or were:
  • Blizzard Of Odd: Caustic Critic show. Colin Murphy excavates obscure So Bad, It's Good TV, straight-to-video movies, web series and public information films...and mocks them. Last episode broadcast in 2005.
  • The Den: A children's programming block, originally aired on RTÉ ONE before moving to RTÉ 2 where it would take up much of the daytime programming from around 6am-to-5.30pm, and weekend mornings until midday for much of its run. Started broadcasting in 1986, The Den would become almost synonymous with its first two presenters, Ian Dempsey in the mid-to-late 80s (having first been known as Dempsey's Den until 1990) and Ray Darcy throughout the 90s, along with its ensemble cast of puppets, which included alien siblings Zig and Zag and their dog Zuppy, the wildly unpredictable trickster Dustin the Turkey (who later attempted to represent Ireland in Eurovision, yes that happened, another story...), Socky the Sock Monster and the malevolent Podge and Rodge (see below). Revived then cancelled in 2020.
  • Masterchef Ireland: A cooking game show judged by Dylan McGrath and Nick Munier.
  • Raw: A drama show focusing on the staff at a Dublin restaurant.
  • Republic Of Telly: A TV review and magazine programme presented by comedian Kevin McGahern. It also spawned a Spin-Off called Bridget & Eamonn based on a variety of skits from the show set in The '80s.
  • The Savage Eye: A sketch comedy/mock-documentary programme by David McSavage.
  • A Scare at Bedtime: A horror and urban myths comedy show hosted by puppet brothers Podge and Rodge O'Leprocy.
    • The Podge and Rodge Show: A comedic talk show hosted by the two aforementioned puppets and Caroline Morahan.

RTÉ Jr

RTÉjr is a children's channel launched in 2011 which targets a demographic between 2 – 6 years of age. It broadcasts 12 hours of programming each day between 07:00 and 19:00.
  • Puffin Rock: Children's animated series set on the eponymous Irish island.

RTÉ News Now

RTÉ News Now is a 24-hour news television network. It simulcasts live news bulletins and current affairs programmes as they are broadcast on RTÉ One and/or RTÉ 2. The remaining programming on the channel serves as a replay service of the most recent news, sport and weather bulletin.

Top