Speculation is mounting in broadcasting circles, in relation to RTÉ One’s planned new schedule – due to be launched in August. In particular, there is a feverish aspect to the rumours circulating about who will take over the post-Morning Ireland 9am slot.
Speaking to Hot Press, one broadcasting insider poured cold water on the widely-touted suggestion that Ryan Tubridy might be repatriated to the so-called ‘first channel’.
“I just don’t see it,” Hot Press was told. “For the first time in a long time, RTÉ 2fm is heading in the right direction. In the most recent JNLR, Ryan Tubridy saw a reasonably significant increase in listeners – and that was part of a real, if relatively slight, overall rejuvenation at 2fm. Are the powers-that-be going to jeopardise that by making the switch? That’d be a daft thing to do.”
Whatever the truth in that assertion, speculation is mounting that Ray D’Arcy might just be the one to take over the slot made available by the departure of John Murray – which is currently manned by Brendan O’Connor.
“Listen, it’s what Ray knows,” the source indicated. "He did a great job at Today FM in the mid-morning slot. And he hasn’t ever seemed quite as at home in the afternoon, since his arrival at RTÉ. For better or worse, that’s certainly an impression that’s out there. RTÉ has invested a fair chunk of change in bringing him back into the fold. And as a dual TV and radio star – which he will be when the autumn comes – the station need to make the most of what he has to offer. If I were a betting man, that’s where the money would go."
However, even that switch might not be simple to engineer. D’Arcy is currently on air for two hours a day. Whether RTÉ can afford to slice that down to one hour a day and still pay the same wages to one of its star performers is the kind of conundrum that might keep the mandarins in Montrose from going asleep at night.
“Look, in the end a deal is always possible,” the insider stressed. “It is what I’d do. But I am not the one who is making the decisions.”
Watch this space...