RTÉ Radio 1 Unveils Biggest Schedule Overhaul in 25 Years – adn Confirms Kieran Cuddihy as New Liveline Host
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 onyl 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 as 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 program 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’
[Image of Kieran Cuddihy with caption: Kieran Cuddihy is a seasoned presenter with recent acclaim for moderating the first presidential debate]
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.
RTÉ Radio 1 Unveils New Schedule: McCullagh to Host 9am Show, Shift Towards Talk Content
RTÉ Radio 1 has announced a significant overhaul of its daytime schedule, introducing changes designed to modernize the station while retaining its core audience. Key changes include the appointment of David McCullagh to host a new 9am show and a shift towards more talk-focused content in the midday slot.
David McCullagh to front New 9am Programme
The broadcaster, currently the presenter of Six One News and the Behind the Story podcast, will take the helm of a new show at 9am. This move has been widely welcomed, with many highlighting McCullagh’s “deep political knowledge, sharp wit and versatility.” https://www.rte.ie/news/radio/2024/0516/1448488-rte-radio-1-schedule-changes/ Patricia Monahan, RTÉ Radio 1’s Head of Content, believes McCullagh’s appointment will create a “new balance between hard news and accessible conversation,” bringing his “trademark mix of authority and humour” to a new audience.
Some concerns have been raised about potential overlap with the Morning Ireland program. Though, Monahan has assured listeners that the new show will incorporate “broader topics, including entertainment, culture, [and] consumer issues.”
Midday Shift: More Talk, Less Music
For years, the Radio 1 midday slot (previously held by Louise Duffy) was known for its music-focused programming, with presenters like John creedon, Carrie Crowley, and Ronan Collins building it into “the number one music programme in the country.” https://www.rte.ie/news/radio/2024/0516/1448488-rte-radio-1-schedule-changes/ This is set to change with Oliver Callan’s show extending to a two-hour program from 11am to 1pm, focusing on talk, interviews, and personality-driven features.
Louise Duffy will now present a show at 3pm, aiming to reintroduce a musical element to the afternoons. It remains to be seen whether Callan’s show will incorporate more music or if Duffy will be responsible for maintaining the music playlist.
Strategic Pivot for RTÉ Radio 1
The schedule changes represent a broader strategic shift for RTÉ Radio 1, aiming to modernize the station while maintaining its connection with its established listeners. Dr. Roddy Flynn from DCU’s School of Communications noted the changes reflect radio’s continued relevance in a changing media landscape, pointing to the popularity of podcasting and streaming as evidence that audiences will seek out high-quality content. https://www.rte.ie/news/radio/2024/0516/1448488-rte-radio-1-schedule-changes/
Ultimately, the success of the new schedule will depend on listener engagement, as measured by future JNLR (Joint National Listenership Research) surveys. The key question, according to Dr. Flynn, is: “What’s good, what’s necessary – and will people go to it?”