Departed presence weighs heavy at RTÉ

It may have been the launch of a new era but, as one RTÉ comedian joked, it felt just as much like “Pat Kenny’s memorial service”.

The State broadcaster’s best and brightest were on display at Montrose yesterday as the station’s new radio schedule was revealed.

However, despite the emphasis on the opportunities change can bring, it was impossible to escape the feeling that the stars on show were still being overshadowed by a ghost from the station’s recent past.

Yesterday’s schedule launch was dominated by the words “Pat” and “Kenny”, with the new Newstalk recruit repeatedly name-checked by old colleagues and new rivals throughout the two-hour event.

The State broadcaster’s bosses were at pains to emphasise that they are only focussed on their own programmes, which include Sean O’Rourke moving to the departed host’s morning slot, Drivetime with Mary Wilson, the Documentary on One series and switches in personnel between different programmes.

However, acting managing director of RTÉ radio Jim Jennings admitted Mr Kenny’s move was an issue the station will have to address.

When asked about Newstalk’s apparent €1m advertisement blitz to promote their new recruit — including TV ads on RTÉ itself — the senior official simply said the State broadcaster does not have the money to match the investment.

He said the on-air ratings battle could be a key point in Ireland’s radio dynamic.

“This is going to tell us whether habits have changed,” he said. Pat is a fantastic broadcaster and somebody I have a lot of time for.

“It would be ridiculous to think he’s not going to increase his listeners.”

Mr Kenny’s replacement, Sean O’Rourke — who was widely complimented among the RTÉ contingent — said that he is looking forward to the challenge of competing against his ex-colleague, although he stressed it is not just “a two-horse race” with Mr Kenny.

But another RTÉ radio favourite, impersonator Olivier Callan, was quick to counter the point.

During a send-up of various RTÉ personalities, the satirist littered the event with Denis O’Brien’s new recruit’s name, describing the schedule launch as the “Pat Kenny memorial” due to the focus of many on a recently departed colleague.