Annual Reports - RTÉ

RADIO TELEFÍS ÉIREANN
Operational Review
RTÉ Radio
Top 10 All-Week National Radio Programmes - Adults 15+
January to December 2007
Rank Programme Station Timeblock Period % No. of
Reach Adults 15+
1 Morning Ireland RTÉ Radio 1 07:00-09:00 Mon-Fri 12% 430,000
2 Liveline with Joe Duffy RTÉ Radio 1 13:45-15:00 Mon-Fri 10% 362,000
3 Gerry Ryan RTÉ 2fm 09:00-12:00 Mon-Fri 9% 328,000
4 The Tubridy Show RTÉ Radio 1 09:00-10:00 Mon-Fri 9% 310,000
5 Marian Finucane RTÉ Radio 1 11:00-13:00 Sat 9% 302,000
6 News at One RTÉ Radio 1 13:00-13:45 Mon-Fri 9% 299,000
7 Today with Pat Kenny RTÉ Radio 1 10:00-12:00 Mon-Fri 8% 284,000
8 Playback RTÉ Radio 1 10:00-11:00 Sat 7% 257,000
9 Ray D’Arcy Show Today FM 09:00-12:00 Mon-Fri 7% 249,000
10 Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show Today FM 07:00-09:00 Mon-Fri 7% 243,000
Source: Joint National Listenership Research Surveys Jan- Dec 2007 (TNS mrbi)
Source: RTÉ
Competing for audience was top priority
for RTÉ Radio in 2007. The first half of the
year was shaped by election campaigns and
results coverage, north and south, and by the
launch of RTÉ 2fm’s new breakfast and drive
time programmes. In the Spring new mobile
studios took to the road for RTÉ Raidió na
Gaeltachta and RTÉ 2fm and the Summer
schedules of all four channels sought to
maintain the competitive edge that is now
essential all year round. In the second half of
the year, improved audience figures showed
that RTÉ Radio had halted the downward
trend of the past five years. With keener
competition at every level, local, regional,
national, and international, share of audience
is the key test for RTÉ Radio services. Good
listenership figures confirm our relevance and
underpin the funding (public and commercial)
that pays for the wide range of output, from
mass appeal programmes to special interest
services.
RTÉ Radio 1
During 2007 RTÉ Radio 1 built on the
ambitious changes made in 2006. In
the afternoon, both Liveline and The
Mooney Show increased their audiences.
From the calling of the General Election
campaign, in late April, Drivetime started
at the earlier time of 4.30 pm. In the
Autumn, changes were made to evening
arts, features, and music programmes;
for example since November The Arts
Show is presented nightly at 8.00 pm by
Vincent Woods, and in The Late Debate,
RTÉ journalists review parliamentary and
local government affairs from around the
country. The series Judging Dev reassessed
Eamon de Valera’s career and
legacy. The radio series was accompanied
by the innovative book of the same title,
published by the Royal Irish Academy, and
also linked to webchats and podcasts at a
special website. The Big Science Debate
explored the ethics of science through
public discussions from venues around
the country. At Berlin in October, Mayday
won the Prix Europa for Radio Drama, yet
another prestigious international award for
Radio 1’s drama team.
The series Judging Dev re-assessed
Eamon de Valera’s career and legacy.
The radio series was accompanied by the
innovative book of the same title.
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