RTÉ Television

RTÉ Television

Company type	Statutory corporation
Industry	Broadcasting
Founded	1 June 1960
Headquarters	RTÉ Television Centre,Donnybrook,Dublin , Ireland
Area served	Republic of IrelandandNorthern Ireland Worldwide(via internet)
Key people	Glen Killane (managing director of television)
Products	Television
Owner	Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Website	http:// rte.ie/tv/

RTÉ Televisionis a department ofRaidió Teilifís Éireann(RTÉ),Ireland'spublic service broadcaster.Its first channel was Teilifís Éireann, which began broadcasting on 31 December 1961.Since the 1960s, RTÉ Television has added channels and digital television service.

Channels

Linear

• RTÉ One(launched in 1961 as Telefís Éireann, known as RTÉ from 1966, HD service launched on 16 December 2013)
• RTÉ2(launched in 1978, known from 1988 to 2004 asNetwork 2,HD service launched in October 2011)
• RTÉ News(launched on 12 June 2008 asRTÉ News Now)
• RTÉjr(launched on 27 May 2011)
• RTÉ One +1(launched on 27 May 2011 sharing with RTÉjr, 24 hour introduced from 19 February 2019)
• RTÉ2+1(launched on 19 February 2019, airs from 7pm Monday to Friday, 12:20pm Saturday and Sunday)

Former Channels

IPTV

• RTÉ Food (available throughRTÉ Player)
• RTÉ Archive (available throughRTÉ Player)

Proposed channels

• RTÉ Ireland.
• RTÉ Arts & Culture (IPTV only).
• RTÉ Comedy (IPTV only)
• RTÉ Sport (IPTV only)
• RTÉ Lifestyle (IPTV only)
• RTÉ Young Adults (IPTV only)
• RTÉ Education (IPTV only)
• RTÉ Business (IPTV only)

History

For a chronological guide, seeTimeline of RTÉ Television.

Although Ireland was one of the first countries in Europe to adopt radio communication, it was a relative latecomer to regular television. Unlike France (1935), United Kingdom (1936) and Italy (1954), theGovernment of Irelanddid not broadcast regular television for the population until December 1961. Before the launch ofRTÉ One,a limited television service was available from Northern Ireland throughBBC Northern IrelandandUTV.The Irish government considered television a luxury and did not allow Radio Éireann to set up television service for several years.

During the late 1950s, a television committee was formed to set up Irish television service with as little financial commitment from Dublin as possible. It initially recommended a service similar to the UK'sITV,using five mountains as transmission sites which were also equipped withFM radiotransmitters. Because TaoiseachÉamon de Valerawas wary of television, nothing occurred untilSeán Lemasssucceeded him in 1959. A year later, Radio Éireann was converted from an arm of theDepartment of Posts and Telegraphsto aquasi-state bodyand given responsibility for television.Eamonn Andrewswas appointed chairman.

Telefís Éireann began broadcasting at 19:00 on 31 December 1961.It was originally intended to open on 25 December of that year, but Andrews gave the Radio Éireann staff time off for Christmas. The opening address by de Valera—nowPresident of Ireland—described the benefits and disadvantages of the new medium. There were other messages fromCardinal d'Altonand Lemass, followed by a live concert from the Gresham Hotel in Dublin. The programme, which was a countdown to the New Year, was hosted by Andrews and included appearances byPatrick O'Hagan,theArtane Boys' BandandMichael O'Hehir.

Television opened a new world to the Irish people. Controversial topics such asabortionand contraception were openly discussed in television programmes such asThe Late Late Show,which began in July 1962 and continues on RTÉ One.

RTÉ was the first broadcaster to use theSystem I625-line system in 1962, two years before the launch ofBBC Twoin that format. Its first colour broadcast was transmitted in 1968, however, a mistake in standards conversion may have transmitted the 1968Wimbledon Men's Finalsin colour. The first programme made in colour by RTÉ was the documentary special,John Hume's Derry,shown under the7 Daysbanner. Since 1969, RTÉ can transmit programmes made in colour which were imported from UK and the US. Ireland's first outside broadcasts in colour were the country's hosting of theEurovision Song Contest 1971and theRailway Cup Finals 1971.The firstRTÉ studioinDonnybrookwas equipped for colour broadcasts in 1972, followed by the news studios in 1974. The last studio in RTÉ to be converted to colour (in 1976) was Studio 1, home ofThe Late Late Show.

In 1977 a new government came to power, and quickly authorised a second television station run by RTÉ. The new station,RTÉ 2,went on the air on 2 November 1978; the opening night featured a variety show fromCork Opera House.RTÉ 2's remit was to provide alternative television; its schedule included live relays of British programmes and original programming. In 1987, RTÉ 2 was renamedNetwork 2to revive flagging ratings; many viewers preferred BBC Northern Ireland or UTV, both of which are accessible in much of the Republic. In 1992 RTÉ became a shareholder inEuronews,a 24-hour European news channel operated by members of theEuropean Broadcasting Union.

John BowmanwroteWindow and Mirror: RTÉ Television 1961–2011,a history of the service, for its 50th anniversary. The book was launched by TaoiseachEnda Kennyat the National Museum in Dublin on 23 November 2011.TV50was launched by RTÉ on 26 December 2011 to celebrate 50 years of Irish television in 2012.

Studios

RTÉ's main studio complex is theTelevision CentreinDonnybrook, Dublin.A second production studio opened inCorkin 1995, and became a large contributor to radio and television network output.

2012 budget

	RTÉ One	RTÉ Two	Other channels*	TG4 support
Licence fees	56,139,000	53,456,000	1,752,000	7,764,000
Commercial income	65,351,000	30,007,000	N/A	N/A
Total income	121,490,000	83,463,000	1,752,000	7,764,000
Expenditures	129,737,000	91,313,000	1,752,000	7,764,000
Profit/loss	(8,247,000)	(7,850,000)	0	0

*Includes digital radio services.

Programming

RTÉ Television has five scheduling strands. RTÉ One, aimed at a mainstream audience, is the main broadcaster of news, current affairs and original drama. RTÉ2 provides the majority of entertainment, comedy, children's programming and sports. RTÉ One +1 airs from 7pm as RTÉ One'stimeshift channel,time-sharing withRTÉjr(which begins at 7am daily with programming for pre-school children). TheRTÉ Newschannel provides rotating broadcasts of RTÉ One's main news programmes.

Recent programmes

2012–2013 season

On 8 August 2012, RTÉ Television confirmed its 2012–2013 autumn-winter schedule.The season saw the return of the critically acclaimed Irish drama seriesLove/Hatefor a third season andRawfor a fifth season, with the addition of the co-produced Irish dramaThe Fall(starringGillian Anderson).The Late Late Show,The FrontlineandThe Saturday Night Showalso returned. RTÉ was Europe's first broadcaster to present the new seasons of US seriesThe Good Wife,Homeland,CSI Las Vegas,CSI New YorkandNew Girl.The season featured 114 new and returning home-produced programmes (includingthe Voice of Ireland,Operation TransformationandCelebrity Bainisteoir,and RTÉ Television confirmed new programming for its digital channels.

2015–2016 season

The broadcaster introduced its 2015–2016 season in August 2015. It included the return ofThe Voice of Ireland,The Late Late Show,theSaturday Night Show with Ray D'Arcy(all RTÉ One),GothamandNew Girl(both RTÉ2).

2018–2019 season

RTÉ Television announced the 2018–2019 seasons for RTÉ One and RTÉ2 on 16 August 2018. New Irish-produced dramas includedResistance(based on events surrounding theIrish War of Independenceand a sequel of 2016's popular drama seriesRebellion) andTaken Down,an Irish drama series starringAissa Maiga,Lynn Rafferty,Brian Gleeson,Orla FitzgeraldandBarry Ward.RTÉ2 is focusing on new Irish comedy, includingAmy Huberman'sFinding Joy,the return ofBridget & EamonandPodge and Rodge.Imported dramas includeBBC America'sKilling Eveand season three ofThe Handmaid's Tale.

International availability

RTÉ Player Internationaloffers audiences outside the Republic of Ireland to stream content available across RTÉ's channels and archived content. The service is a subscription based service.

Meanwhile, RTÉ's channels are widely available in Northern Ireland through multiple television service providers. However, some content is blocked due to broadcasting rights issues.

In January 2007, RTÉ announced plans to launch a channel (with the working title ofRTÉ International) which would offer programmes in Great Britain.As of 2008, the proposed launch of this channel was "shelved".

Online content

In March 2007, content from RTÉ One (and its sister network,RTÉ Two) became available onRTÉ.ie.In May 2009, RTÉ launchedRTÉ Player(an on-demand catch-up service).

RTÉ News, current-affairs programmes and specials, such as the St. Patrick's Day parade and Easter Mass, were freelystreamed livearound the world on 17 March 2007. RTÉ have launched an international version of theRTÉ Player,which provides access to theRTÉ Newschannel as a live stream and access to many Irish-made programmes.

Presentation

RTÉ introduceddigital on-screen graphicsfor RTÉ One and RTÉ Two in 2004. This was somewhat controversial, despite TV3 (now known as Virgin Media Television) using them from its inception and TG4 since 1999. In late 2004, RTÉ produced the third series of the talent showYou're a Starin widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio). Although this was RTÉ's first official 16:9 production, the programme was not available to viewers in 16:9 format even on digital platforms. Instead, it was broadcast in 14:9 "letterbox" format. In March 2005, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two began broadcasting some programmes in 16:9 format on digital platforms; this was followed by a complete switchover to 16:9 output on both channels in May 2005, except for a few programmes.

Genres

Since 2003, RTÉ has branded its television programmes in a number of genres. Each genre operates broadly under a commissioning editor, except for RTÉ News and Current Affairs (separately structured and controlled). The genres are;

• RTÉ Arts – producingculturalshows and documentaries
• RTÉ Diversity – producing programming which promotesinterculturaldialogue,Irish languageand people withdisabilities
• RTÉ Religious – religious programming
• RTÉ Drama – soap operas and other drama series and shows
• RTÉ Education – educational programming for children and adults
• RTÉ Entertainment– chat shows, comedy and reality shows
• RTÉ Factual – current documentaries and scientific programming
• RTÉ History – historical documentaries
• RTÉ Music– all types of music, includingclassical,traditional Irishandpop-rock
• RTÉ News and Current Affairs– news and current affairs
• RTÉ Sport–Irishand international sporting events
• RTÉ Weather – weather in Ireland (provided byMet Éireann) and global forecasts
• RTÉ Young People's Programming– shows for children and teenagers

See also

• Television in the Republic of Ireland

External links

• RTÉ Television