14th September 2012
By Bryan T. Smyth, in Cork
news@TheCork.ie
RTÉ Television has announced that “Today”, a new daytime programme, broadcasting live on weekdays from Cork. The new hour-long show, which starts on Monday November 5th on RTÉ One, will be fronted by the Todayteam of Dáithí O Sé, Maura Derrane, Norah Casey and Bláithnaid Ní Chofaigh.
Dáithí Ó Sé and Maura Derrane anchor the show from Monday to Thursday with a lively mix of topical chat, fun and lifestyle items, while on Fridays Norah Casey and Bláithnaid Ní Chofaigh kick start the weekend with an all-female, feelgood show focussing on entertainment, beauty, fashion, movie reviews and celebrity gossip. Each day the presenters will be joined in studio by a panel of three guests, plus additional specialist contributors live in studio and via live link-ups from around the country.
Today will be a mix of the issues of the day, entertainment news, food, fashion and beauty, book clubs, health and well being, home and garden, consumer news and money management, parenting and kids, relationships and travel.
Today will get Ireland talking every afternoon using a mixture of contributors from. RTÉ’s studios around the country, together with viewer feedback via text, email and Twitter, allowing the audience to take part in on-air discussion and debate and to stay in touch with the Today team.
In a new departure for RTÉ Television Today will include a number of sponsored segments in addition to the title sponsorship which has been agreed with Harvey Norman Sofas. The Harvey Norman title sponsorship will run from November 2012 for the season and is at the core of an overall RTÉ Client Sales campaign. The campaign will comprise of a mixture of various sponsorship credits per show, on the RTÉ Player, and a number of other integrated platforms across RTÉ.
Steve Carson, Director of Programmes for RTÉ Television said, “Home produced daytime programming is making a welcome return to RTÉ Television and we’re glad to be able to announce that such an important part of our schedule will, for the first time, be produced in Cork. We have a great production team in RTÉ Cork with a wealth of talent and experience in this area and we think viewers will be quick to build a rapport with the onscreen team of Dáithí, Maura, Norah and Bláthnaid.”
Colm Crowley, Series Editor, Today, said, “We’re looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the skills of the RTÉ Cork team and to introduce a unique perspective to the national conversation. As well as studio guests, Today will feature guests from all over Ireland – launching new names, personalities and voices. We know that we have a winning combination in Dáithí, Maura, Norah and Bláthnaid and we’re sure that Irish viewers will find much to enjoy in Today’s daily mix of chat, lifestyle and fun.”
Dáithí Ó Sé said “It’s a fantastic opportunity to present a show like this and will be great to be based in the People’s Republic. Maura and I have been pals for the last two years and Bláthnaid and I were fellow judges on the All Ireland Talent Show so it will be brilliant working with people I know so well. Father Matthew Street won’t know what hit it!”
Maura Derrane said, “There’s great energy between Dáithí and I and we always work well together. It’s fantastic to be involved in a new start up show especially from a new location and I’m looking forward to working alongside Bláthnaid and Norah as well.”
Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh said, “I’m so excited about the new show, we’ve got a great team in front of the camera and a great team working behind the scenes with us in Cork. Having worked on The Afternoon Show for six years I know the impact that afternoon programming can have – it’s a pleasure and a privilege to be invited into people’s busy homes after the school run, before dinner gets underway and when the working day is winding down. Táim ag súil go mór am a chaitheadh i gContae Chorcaigh.”
Norah Casey said, “I am delighted to be part of such a talented and diverse line-up and it’s great to get out of Dublin and take a different view of Ireland. What excites me is doing a show about real issues that matter to women and I hope we can get them talking, surprise them occasionally and never be too far away from making them laugh.”
The RTÉ Cork production team includes Series Editor; Colm Crowley, Executive Producer Janet Frawley and Series Producer Marie Toft.
