RTÉ HAS insisted the quality of The Late Late Showwill not be affected by the lack of a sponsor for the programme, which begins its new season on Friday.
The station has said it will not have a sponsor in place for the first live programme which is being staged in the new €40 million opera house in Wexford.
However, following speculation about his new contract with the national broadcaster, the show's host Pat Kenny confirmed he has all but concluded a deal for his services and will definitely be presenting the programme on Friday.
He told The Irish Timesthat agreement has been reached with RTÉ on his next contract and it remains a case of completing the legalities. "I expect it will all be done before Friday," he said.
Halifax endorsed The Late Late Showfor two years from 2006 in an arrangement worth up to €1.3 million annually for RTÉ, but the financial retailer has not renewed the association this year.
Late Late Showproduction and staff costs are funded by commercial break revenue and agencies have been informed that a 30-second advertising spot on this year's Late Late Toy Showon November 28th will cost €17,000.