Kieran Cuddihy named new host of RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline in major schedule shake-up

RTÉ confirms Kieran Cuddihy as Joe Duffy’s Liveline successor amid major weekday revamp

Broadcaster Kieran Cuddihy has been announced as the new host of RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline, replacing veteran presenter Joe Duffy, who retired earlier this year.

Mr Cuddihy’s move to RTÉ from Newstalk, where he had worked since 2011 was confirmed on Friday morning.

An RTÉ spokesperson said Mr Cuddihy will take the helm of the show each day from 1.45pm, “getting to the heart of the discussions that truly matter to the people of Ireland.”

" Liveline has become a significant part of Irish life and Kieran will now take the driving seat and continue the evolution of this iconic Irish institution," the spokesperson said. 

Mr Cuddihy’s appointment as Liveline host forms part of an all-new weekday schedule announced by RTÉ on Friday morning.

Revamped schedule

Current Six One News presenter David McCullagh has been confirmed as the new host of The Today Show, replacing Claire Byrne who is leaving RTÉ later this year and moving to Newstalk. 

RTÉ broadcaster David McCullagh. File Picture

Mr McCullagh's edition of the show will air each day at 9am and, according to the station, offer an “accessible take on the day’s top stories and news developments as they happen,” featuring regular segments on consumer advice, health, wellbeing, music, culture, science, and technology. 

Oliver Callan will continue to broadcast his programme in an extended format in a new 11am slot.

Rachael English will continue to present the IMRO National News Programme of the Year, News at One, every lunchtime. 

RTÉ said the programme will "pursue the day’s top regional, national and international stories through a mix of live reports, interviews, political analysis, and expert commentary, a proven formula that has made News at One one of the most trusted and widely listened-to news programmes in the country".

Louise Duffy will host a new one-hour show at 3pm every weekday, which RTÉ says will showcase a "vibrant mix of live music, celebrity guests, and unmissable entertainment" as well as "live performances, exclusive chats and plenty of surprises along the way."

Katie Hannon and Colm Ó Mongáin will present Drivetime from the earlier time of 4pm, delivering “comprehensive coverage of national and international news, politics, and culture.”

From 6pm, a new early-evening sports news programme will air, featuring “previews and reviews of national and international sporting events, interviews, and breaking stories of the day.”

The host of this programme has not yet been confirmed, nor have the two new presenters who will join Audrey Carville and Gavin Jennings on Morning Ireland at 7am each weekday.

Patricia Monahan, RTÉ’s director of audio, said the new Radio 1 schedule “marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter” for the station.

"In line with our strategy, it has been designed to meet the changing listening habits of audiences, giving them the public service content they need across the day from breaking news to analysis and comment, music, chat and entertainment coming full circle in the late afternoon and evening with compelling discussion of the issues of the day from the world of news, sport and entertainment."

Ms Monahan also confirmed that Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra will continue to have a regular presence on RTÉ Radio 1.

"We look forward to sharing news of their new roles in the coming weeks," she said. 

Tara Campbell, Head of RTÉ Radio 1, said the station was fortunate to have so many “first-rate broadcasters and top-class production teams,” and that the new schedule introduces “fresh and younger voices while giving many of our award-winning presenters new opportunities. RTÉ Radio 1 remains Ireland’s number one radio service.”

"We look forward to this significantly revised schedule bringing our over a million listeners the very best mix across the day for many years to come," she said.

The new weekday schedule on RTÉ Radio 1 will launch later this year.

News of the RTÉ Radio 1 schedule shake-up comes after it was announced on Thursday that Ray D'Arcy would be leaving the station after 11 years.

In a statement, Ray D'Arcy told the Irish Examiner that he was "hugely disappointed with RTÉ management" and how his departure from Radio 1 hads been handled.