Annual Reports - RTÉ

RADIO TELEFÍS ÉIREANNOperational ReviewRTÉ RadioTop 10 All-Week National Radio Programmes - Adults 15+January to December 2007Rank Programme Station Timeblock Period % No. ofReach Adults 15+1 Morning Ireland RTÉ Radio 1 07:00-09:00 Mon-Fri 12% 430,0002 Liveline with Joe Duffy RTÉ Radio 1 13:45-15:00 Mon-Fri 10% 362,0003 Gerry Ryan RTÉ 2fm 09:00-12:00 Mon-Fri 9% 328,0004 The Tubridy Show RTÉ Radio 1 09:00-10:00 Mon-Fri 9% 310,0005 Marian Finucane RTÉ Radio 1 11:00-13:00 Sat 9% 302,0006 News at One RTÉ Radio 1 13:00-13:45 Mon-Fri 9% 299,0007 Today with Pat Kenny RTÉ Radio 1 10:00-12:00 Mon-Fri 8% 284,0008 Playback RTÉ Radio 1 10:00-11:00 Sat 7% 257,0009 Ray D’Arcy Show Today FM 09:00-12:00 Mon-Fri 7% 249,00010 Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show Today FM 07:00-09:00 Mon-Fri 7% 243,000Source: Joint National Listenership Research Surveys Jan- Dec 2007 (TNS mrbi)Source: RTÉCompeting for audience was top priorityfor RTÉ Radio in 2007. The first half of theyear was shaped by election campaigns andresults coverage, north and south, and by thelaunch of RTÉ 2fm’s new breakfast and drivetime programmes. In the Spring new mobilestudios took to the road for RTÉ Raidió naGaeltachta and RTÉ 2fm and the Summerschedules of all four channels sought tomaintain the competitive edge that is nowessential all year round. In the second half ofthe year, improved audience figures showedthat RTÉ Radio had halted the downwardtrend of the past five years. With keenercompetition at every level, local, regional,national, and international, share of audienceis the key test for RTÉ Radio services. Goodlistenership figures confirm our relevance andunderpin the funding (public and commercial)that pays for the wide range of output, frommass appeal programmes to special interestservices.RTÉ Radio 1During 2007 RTÉ Radio 1 built on theambitious changes made in 2006. Inthe afternoon, both Liveline and TheMooney Show increased their audiences.From the calling of the General Electioncampaign, in late April, Drivetime startedat the earlier time of 4.30 pm. In theAutumn, changes were made to eveningarts, features, and music programmes;for example since November The ArtsShow is presented nightly at 8.00 pm byVincent Woods, and in The Late Debate,RTÉ journalists review parliamentary andlocal government affairs from around thecountry. The series Judging Dev reassessedEamon de Valera’s career andlegacy. The radio series was accompaniedby the innovative book of the same title,published by the Royal Irish Academy, andalso linked to webchats and podcasts at aspecial website. The Big Science Debateexplored the ethics of science throughpublic discussions from venues aroundthe country. At Berlin in October, Maydaywon the Prix Europa for Radio Drama, yetanother prestigious international award forRadio 1’s drama team.The series Judging Dev re-assessedEamon de Valera’s career and legacy.The radio series was accompanied by theinnovative book of the same title.14