{"id":203645,"date":"2025-10-10T21:46:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T21:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/203645\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T21:46:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T21:46:14","slug":"6-talking-points-from-rte-radio-1s-new-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/203645\/","title":{"rendered":"6 talking points from RTE Radio 1’s new schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"

After weeks of speculation and gossip, RT\u00c9 unveiled a major new Radio 1 schedule this morning \u2014 the biggest overhaul in 25 years.<\/p>\n

Director of Audio Patricia Monahan confirmed the changes, saying they aim to “refresh our output” in line with RT\u00c9’s New Direction Strategy, while keeping “audiences at the heart of our considerations”.<\/p>\n

1. The first major shake-up in 25 years <\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a quarter of a century since RT\u00c9 Radio 1 saw a shake-up of this scale.<\/p>\n

The last major overhaul came in December 1998 when Gay Byrne retired after 25 years, prompting a new schedule that has endured with only minor tweaks.<\/p>\n

Today’s changes redraw that long-standing schedule somewhat<\/a>. 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”.<\/p>\n

So what is new?<\/p>\n

The 9am slot \u2014 a new one-hour show when Marian Finucane took it over in 1999 \u2014 has since passed through the hands of John Murray, Ryan Tubridy and most recently Oliver Callan.<\/p>\n

In this new schedule however, ‘The Today Show’, long anchored at 10am by Pat Kenny, Sean O\u2019Rourke and Claire Byrne, moves to 9am with David McCullagh in the chair from 3 November.<\/p>\n

Oliver Callan, meanwhile, shifts to an extended two-hour programme from 11am.<\/p>\n

Other moves include Louise Duffy, who will be relocating to mid-afternoon with a new 3pm\u20134pm show \u2014 shorter than the long-running Afternoon Show previously hosted by Derek Mooney and Ray D\u2019Arcy.<\/p>\n

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 \u00d3 hEadhra, will now begin even earlier at 4pm.<\/p>\n

Katie Hannon and Colm \u00d3 Mong\u00e1in will co-present before handing over at 6pm to a new, yet-to-be-titled sports show.<\/p>\n

Ms Monahan emphasised that Ms McInerney and Mr \u00d3 hEadhra “will continue to be a regular presence on RT\u00c9 and Radio 1,” though their next roles are still to be confirmed.<\/p>\n

There are also knock-on vacancies to fill \u2014 David McCullagh\u2019s replacement on Six One News and a new host for the Behind the Story podcast amongst them.<\/p>\n

RT\u00c9 also paid tribute to the late Se\u00e1n Rocks, confirming that details about a new presenter for Arena will be announced later this year.<\/p>\n

2. ‘Talk to\u2026 Kieran’<\/p>\n

\"Virgin
\nKieran Cuddihy is a seasoned presenter with recent acclaim for moderating the first presidential debate<\/p>\n

Much of today\u2019s attention centres on one of the most iconic brands in Irish radio \u2014 Liveline.<\/p>\n

After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed that Kieran Cuddihy, formerly of Newstalk\u2019s The Hard Shoulder, will succeed Joe Duffy as the host of the phone-in institution<\/p>\n

Rumours intensified this week when Newstalk informed staff that Mr Cuddihy was leaving with immediate effect.<\/p>\n

RT\u00c9 confirmed the news this morning, that in the near future on, callers to Liveline will indeed be talking to Kieran.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a high-pressure move for both Patricia Monahan and Mr Cuddihy.<\/p>\n

Liveline celebrates 40 years on air, tracing its DNA to Marian Finucane\u2019s groundbreaking tenure in 1985. Joe Duffy took over in 1999 and became synonymous with the nation\u2019s afternoon conversations.<\/p>\n

Mr Cuddihy is a seasoned presenter with years of live broadcasting experience and recent acclaim for moderating the first presidential debate on Virgin Media\u2019s Tonight Show in September.<\/p>\n

Still, Liveline is a unique challenge \u2014 fast-paced, emotional, and deeply woven into the fabric of Irish life.<\/p>\n

Some questions are raised about whether a traditional phone-in format can thrive when younger audiences prefer to text than talk, but Radio 1 is clear that Kieran Cuddihy is the right man for the hottest seat in Irish broadcasting.<\/p>\n

3. Ray D\u2019Arcy\u2019s departure <\/p>\n

\"Ray
\nRay D’Arcy expressed ‘disappointment’ at how station management handled his departure.<\/p>\n

Another headline-grabbing moment is Ray D\u2019Arcy\u2019s exit from RT\u00c9 after 11 years.<\/p>\n

News broke yesterday that Mr D\u2019Arcy was “not in RT\u00c9’s future plans,”<\/a> marking the end of a long and varied career at the broadcaster.<\/p>\n

Mr D\u2019Arcy\u2019s influence on Irish media stretches back decades \u2014 from his Den days alongside Zig and Zag in the 1980s to his successful tenure of the mid-morning show on Today FM.<\/p>\n

His return to Montrose in 2014 brought mixed fortunes, a Saturday night TV show that ran four years before ending in 2019, and his radio tenure has now concluded amid reported tensions.<\/p>\n

Following RT\u00c9\u2019s statement, Mr D\u2019Arcy released one of his own expressing “disappointment” with how station management handled his departure.<\/p>\n

For some, the new schedule symbolises a generational shift.<\/p>\n

Familiar names \u2014 Duffy, D\u2019Arcy, Tubridy, Byrne, and Dobson \u2014 once dominated RT\u00c9\u2019s season launches.<\/p>\n

Now, a new crop of presenters step into the spotlight, signalling a deliberate rejuvenation of the station\u2019s daily lineup.<\/p>\n

4. David McCullagh at 9am <\/p>\n

\"Breaking\"
\nDavid McCullagh’s appointment has been welcomed by many for his deep political knowledge<\/p>\n

The decision to move ‘the Today Show’ to 9am, hosted by David McCullagh, has drawn attention too.<\/p>\n

The broadcaster currently fronts Six One News and the Behind the Story podcast and his appointment has been welcomed by many for his deep political knowledge, sharp wit and versatility.<\/p>\n

Still, some question whether the earlier slot risks overlap with Morning Ireland now.<\/p>\n

On the News at One today, Rachael English asked Patricia Monahan whether this could lead to “overload” in current affairs for the listeners.<\/p>\n

Ms Monahan countered that Mr McCullagh is a “very versatile broadcaster” and that the show will balance news analysis with “broader topics, including entertainment, culture, [and] consumer issues.”<\/p>\n

Mr McCullagh\u2019s move represents a new balance between hard news and accessible conversation, she believes \u2014 and a chance for him to bring his trademark mix of authority and humour to a fresh audience.<\/p>\n

5. Talk, talk, talk <\/p>\n

For years, Radio 1\u2019s midday slot has been a musical oasis amid the talk-heavy lineup.<\/p>\n

Hosts like John Creedon, Carrie Crowley, Ronan Collins and most recently, Louise Duffy turned the space into “the number one music programme in the country”.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s changing now.<\/p>\n

With Oliver Callan\u2019s extended two-hour show now airing from 11am to 1pm, the midday show will lean more heavily toward talk, interviews, and personality-driven features.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Louise Duffy\u2019s new 3pm show will inject a musical element back into afternoons\u2014 though it remains to be seen whether Oliver Callan and his team build in more music in their show or will Louise Duffy take the playlists with her.<\/p>\n

6. Looking ahead <\/p>\n

\"RT\u00c9<\/p>\n

The new RT\u00c9 Radio 1 schedule represents more than just time changes \u2014 it\u2019s a strategic pivot.<\/p>\n

It blends familiar voices with new energy and reflects Ms Monahan\u2019s intent to modernise without alienating loyal audiences.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Morning Ireland, Dr Roddy Flynn from DCU\u2019s School of Communications said the changes highlight radio\u2019s ongoing relevance in a shifting media landscape.<\/p>\n

“People are ready to seek out content,” he said, adding that podcasting and streaming demonstrates that people will seek out high quality content.<\/p>\n

His takeaway? When reshaping a national broadcaster\u2019s daily rhythm, the only real question that matters is: What\u2019s good, what\u2019s necessary \u2014 and will people go to it? The answer to that lies with listeners in the days, weeks and JNLR surveys ahead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After weeks of speculation and gossip, RT\u00c9 unveiled a major new Radio 1 schedule this morning \u2014 the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":203646,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[49,48,75,341],"class_list":{"0":"post-203645","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-music","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-music"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=203645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203645\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/203646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=203645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=203645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}