A four-part drama based during the Irish Civil War, a season of Samuel Beckett plays and the much-publicised Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? game show are among the highlights of RTE's autumn schedule announced yesterday.
Introducing the programme line-up, Mr Cathal Goan, director of television, said it reflected a strong emphasis on home production, with over 70 per cent of peak-time programming on RTE 1 and 40 per cent on Network 2 originating in Ireland.
RTE was committed to maintaining and expanding this indigenous content, he added, as a means of strengthening the station's position in an era of increased competition and digital broadcasting. With up to half of Irish viewers now able to receive more than 20 channels, "what we need is a schedule focused on an Irish perspective and Irish offerings", he said.
Topping the bill yesterday was the premiere of Beckett's 19 plays, already well-flagged by RTE, and featuring actors such as John Hurt, Dame Judi Dench and Sir John Gielgud, in his final performance.
While the series leads the way in terms of prestige, however, it will be hard pressed to match the expected ratings of Gay Byrne's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, the Irish version of the global hit series, which begins in October.
A decision has yet to be made on the day and time of broadcasting of the new quiz show, franchised from its UK-based makers. It is understood RTE is planning to hold off on announcing details for some time to make it more difficult for competitors to adjust their schedules.
RTE will also broadcast a new dating and travel show, Wander- lust, to be presented by TV newcomer Brendan Courtney. It will bring potential partners together from Ireland and overseas via the Internet and in person.
Other new programmes are The Healthy Village, a health series centred on the community life of Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny, and The Craic Down Under, which follows the fortunes of the 10,000 young Irish people who go backpacking in Australia each year.
Traditional schedule elements such as DIY and fashion also feature. Duncan Stewart returns with a new building series called About The House, while a successor to Head to Toe, RTE's former fashion series, has been found with Off the Rails.
In news and current affairs, the most noticeable change is Vincent Browne joining Brian Farrell and Miriam O'Callaghan on the Prime Time team. A "revamped, audience-driven, interactive" Questions and Answers will also start in September, featuring phone-in polls, e-mail access and an interactive website where viewers can continue the debate after the programme is over.
Sports coverage centres on the All-Ireland football and hurling finals in September, the International Rules games against Australia in October, and the Olympic Games. More than 16 hours of coverage a day, 300 hours in total, will be broadcast from Sydney during the second fortnight of September.
Another big-budget production, this time in the area of drama, is Rebel Heart, a four-part series following the adventures of a young Dubliner, Ernie Coyne, in period 1916-1922. Written by Northern playwright and novelist Ronan Bennet, it features Irish actors Liam Cunningham and Lorcan Cranitch and Scotsman Bill Paterson, who plays James Connolly.
Fair City will continue to command a prime-time slot three nights a week while Glenroe, post-Biddy, will be back in September. Among the other returning favourites making their return will be Bull Island, the satirical comedy show, and the True Lives documentary series.
