RTÉ TO LAUNCH RTÉjr
NEW DIGITAL SERVICES ON TELEVISION, RADIO, ONLINE & MOBILE
As part of RTÉ’s public service commitments to our youngest audiences, RTÉjr, a new dedicated digital children’s channel on TV, radio, online and mobile will launch on April 15th. This new service is a demonstration of RTÉ’s commitment to the 0-7 age group in particular and is part of a phased three-year strategy in the development of services for young people by RTÉ. This dedicated cross-platform offering is being delivered from existing resources and, as an entirely non-commercial channel, is a demonstration of RTÉ’s commitment to serve this important audience.
Created specifically for children aged 0–7 years, RTÉjr will allow children to watch, listen and play with brand new channels on television (on Sky, UPC and SAORVIEW) and digital radio from around 7am-7pm daily, as well as online and mobile services, allowing children to access original, entertaining and educational content that reflects their lives and is made especially for them. The launch will see RTÉ increasing its daily children’s content on television and radio to around 34 hours per day in addition to online and mobile content.
On the newly-launched RTÉjr Television 14 newly commissioned programme strands will join the much-loved RTÉjr brands in a totally new schedule designed to reflect the shape of a young child’s day. The new programmes include dance, science, educational, outdoors and adventure series, as well as animation and art programmes. The new multi-platform ‘Tell Me A Story’ is a series of 70 programmes featuring a range of RTÉ presenters performing stories specially commissioned from emerging writers, all of which are available on TV, Radio, online and the RTÉjr app. Other new RTÉjr television programmes include the bi-lingual Spraoi(Irish/English), The Why Guy featuring 9 year old puppet boy Albie and the new dance showMove It!. The new channel also has its own specially commissioned song, What’s Your Thing?, from Octonauts composer Darren Hendley.
RTÉjr Radio will have a brand new schedule from 7am – 7pm for 0-7 year olds featuring stories, music, learning, fun, games and lullabies. The day starts off with music and fun on Early Birds, then stories and reports on Happy Days, followed by lullabies, classical music and wild life observation. At 7pm, TRTÉ Radio kicks off with a host of programming designed to keep 7–11 year olds interested and entertained with interactive magazine programme Radioactive followed by a variety of shows featuring history, books, sports and news.
Complementing the RTÉjr TV and radio channels, RTÉ will also launch a new and refreshed suite of digital platforms. Children will be able to watch, listen and play on the RTÉjr website or the new RTÉjr app, as well as catching up with over 40 hours of children’s content on RTÉ Player every day.
RTÉ’s Cross-Divisional Head of Children’s Content Sheila De Courcy said, “As Ireland’s public service broadcaster, RTÉ aims to explore and reflect the diversity of the lives of youngsters in Ireland. Young people are our most exciting and challenging audience and, as one of Ireland’s biggest cultural and media organisations, RTÉ recognises their importance and their right to see their lives reflected across all our services. We have worked hard to provide services that not only reflect their lives but provide opportunities to engage, participate in and interact with media. The launch of RTÉjr is the latest demonstration of our commitment to this important group and while it has been a challenge to provide it out of existing resources, I am pleased that we have been able to deliver this important service for our youngest audience.”
The launch of RTÉjr will mark the start of RTÉ’s Tots, Tweens And Teens Week, a weeklong event highlighting the variety and breadth of RTÉ’s services for under-18’s. Throughout the week children and young people will feature across the television and radio schedules and there will be special events including a unique Sleepover Safari in the Natural History Museum for ten lucky children on Wednesday 17th April and an opportunity to hear young people’s voices in the primetime TV and Radio schedules. During the week young people will deliver television continuity announcements and RTÉ Weather bulletins and they will present RTÉ Ten News and Two Tube. On Friday 19th RTÉ Radio 1 programmes throughout the day will feature young people and RTÉ 2fm’s Rick O’Shea will co-present his show with a young competition winner. Young people will also feature on the RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta schedules and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra will engage with schools through workshops and collaboration.
RTÉjr launches on television, radio, online and mobile on Monday April 15th. RTE’s Tots, Tweens & Teens Week runs from April 15th to 19th inclusive.
ENDS
Date: Wednesday 10th April
For more information please contact:
TV: Karen Fitzpatrick, Communications Manager, RTÉ Television: 01 208 2667, 086 814 9290,karen.fitzpatrick@rte.ie
Digital: Caroline Stephens, Communications Manager, RTÉ Digital: 086 8422 151
Radio: Maureen Catterson, Communications Manager, RTÉ Radio: maureen.catterson@rte.ie
Orchestras: RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra: Assumpta Lawless, Marketing & Communications Manager, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra: 087 290 4168,assumpta.lawless@rte.ie
RTÉ Concert Orchestra: Angela Rohan, PR Executive, Tel: 01 208 2493, Mobile: 087 617 2531 Email: angela.rohan@rte.ie
(See RTÉ Media Centre for more details: presspack.rte.ie. Pictures available onpresspack.rte.ie: Week 16)
Notes For Editors:
RTÉjr INFORMATION
RTÉjr will be available on Television (on Sky channel no 624 (ROI) or 635 (NI), UPC channel 600 and SAORVIEW channel 7)) and digital Radio from approximately 7am-7pm daily as well as online and mobile, allowing children to access original, entertaining and educational content that reflects their lives and is made especially for them.
Some of the RTÉjr programming has been available up to now via RTÉ Two on all platforms. But as of April 15th, RTÉjr will broadcast as a new, fully programmed, stand-alone digital channel.
RTÉjr TELEVISION
RTÉjr Television: On RTÉjr Television 14 newly commissioned programme strands will join the much-loved current RTÉjr schedule. The new programmes include new dance, science, educational, outdoors and adventure series, as well as animation and art programmes.
One of the programme strands is the multi-platform ‘Tell Me A Story’, a collection of 70 original stories by six emerging Irish writers. The 4-minute stories are read by RTÉ presenters including Joe Duffy, Ryan Tubridy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, Bryan Dobson, Brendan O’Connor, George Hamilton, Mary Kennedy, Grainne Seoige and Geri Maye to Marty Morrissey, Paul Herriot, Sean Rocks, Rick O’Shea, Sinead Kennedy and Diana Bunici as well as Carla O’Brien, Keelin Shanley, Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile, Muireann Ni Chíobháin, Eamon Horan and Marty Whelan.
The stories are set in modern-day Ireland and are designed to illuminate many aspects of a child’s world. Themes like learning to share, making new friends, milestones and overcoming difficulties are explored in entertaining and engaging ways. From first haircuts to wobbly teeth, the series reflects the wide range of experiences of children growing up in Ireland today. The stories are wonderfully imaginative and fun, and are designed to build on the development of listening skills in this audience. A number of the stories are written and performed in Irish.
Other brand new programmes include the RTÉjr Workshop, where Reuben and Bó invite you into the workshop to see what’s going on.
Spraoi is a bi-lingual (Irish/English) programme set in the tree of knowledge with Olli the wise owl and a host of woodland friends. Muireann Ni Chiobhain the presenter joins the woodland troop to teach us all about letters, shapes, numbers and colours.
The Why Guy features Albie, a nine year old (puppet) boy, who spends his time experimenting with inventions in his garage and has loads of experts to call on when he needs help. Any questions that need answering? Albie is here to help!
Brush up on your dance moves with Move It! Emma O’Driscoll and her young crew demonstrate Dance, Salsa, Bubble Pop and loads more dance styles. Scheduled across Saturday morning, by the end of the morning, you’ll be dancing a unique finished dance sequence.
The new programmes on the schedule join much-loved favourites like Forest Force and The Beo Show. Challenge yourself with Forest Force. In each episode, the Forest Force (four children) undertake a forest challenge which will teach them a broad range of skills and a respect for the forest environment. From trail setting to animal tracking; from compass reading to bark-boat building; from bug-hunting to waterscoping.
Music lovers can tune in to The Beo Show where well-known musicians and performers work with young enthusiasts and performers work with an established artiste to create and perform a piece of work in the Beo Theatre. Assisted by stage manager Donie and a cast of characters including Nóra and Gertie Gúna.
RTÉjr RADIO
RTÉjr Radio (7am–7pm) unveils its brand new schedule packed with programming aimed at 0–7 year olds. And at 7pm, TRTÉ takes over with shows dedicated to children in the 7–11 age bracket. RTÉjr Radio (7am–7pm) and TRTÉ Radio (7pm–9pm) are available on digital radio, online via the RTÉ Radio Player, on SAORVIEW and on UPC channel 942.
On RTÉjr Radio, 0–7 year olds can start their weekday mornings off with the sound of the RTÉjr Radio Early Birds. Presented by Gil Stedman, Early Birds contains a broad mix of music and fun that will appeal to youngsters and their parents alike.
Then, at 9am, Happy Days makes learning fun for the pre-school audience as little ones learn about the community outside, animals, adventures, languages and numbers through music, stories and reports presented by Emma Power. At midday, Musical Chairs turns Classical with presenter Ian McGlynn as he introduces classical music to children in a fun and engaging way.
From 12.30pm, Audrey Donohue and Ógie provides lullabies, mood music and lots of stories for children at home and in crèche in The Cozy Corner. Weekday programming continues on RTÉjr Radio with a host of educational, stimulating and, most of all – fun! – programming until 7pm.
At weekends, the legendary Don Conroy goes out and about looking at nature and listening out for wild animals in Don’s Wild Watch; Eight-year-old Ellie tells listeners about her journey through Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec in Ellie’s Travels; Sinead Ni Uallachain introduces youngsters to Irish traditional music in Musical Chairs Goes Trad; and much, much more.
At 7pm, TRTÉ Radio kicks off with a host of programming designed to keep 7 – 11 year olds interested and entertained. The mainstay of TRTÉ Radio is interactive magazine programmeRadioactive, which sees presenter Colm Flynn presents a chill-out, homework-free zone for older children featuring great interviews, music and competitions each night between 7.30pm – 9pm.
In addition, TRTÉ Radio listeners will be treated to The Time Traveller’s Survivor’s Guide – a history programme about what it would be like to live in particular historical eras; The Word – a programme specially for young booklovers with class reviews and author interviews; news, sports and entertainment updates with TNN (TRTÉ Network News); and lots more.
RTÉjr DIGITAL – Access RTÉjr Wherever You Are
Complementing the broadcast and radio channel, RTÉ have also launched a new and refreshed suite of digital platforms. Children can now watch, listen and play on the RTÉjr website or the new RTÉjr app, as well as catching up with over 40 hours of children’s content on RTÉ Player every day.
The new RTÉjr App was collaboratively designed by RTÉ Digital’s in-house production and operations design team, RTÉ TV YPP online team and Marino Software, an Irish, but internationally renowned children’s app designer, who have produced apps for Disney, (Curious George) and Sesame Street amongst others.
Easy to use, interactive, educational and intuitive navigation features are married with a wealth of quality children’s indigenous Irish programming, allowing children, parents and caregivers to enjoy content anytime and anywhere on a wide range of devices.
INFORMATION ON RTÉ’s TOTS, TWEENS AND TEENS WEEK
The launch of RTÉjr on April 15th marks the beginning of RTÉ’STOTS, TWEENS AND TEENS WEEK, a weeklong event highlighting the variety and breadth of RTÉ’s dedicated services for under-18’s and celebrating the launch of RTÉjr.
Activities throughout the week include:
ON RTÉ TELEVISION:
Starting on Monday 15th April, youngsters will be popping up all over the television schedule as presenters, newsreaders and weather reporters for the duration of RTÉ’s Tots, Tweens and Teens Week.
Two children will be presenting the weather forecast for News2Day on Monday and Friday. The children will work with a meteorologist and weather presenter to prepare the weather information and data, after which they will rehearse and record their forecasts.
Three children will be taking over as continuity presenters on RTÉ One and RTÉ Two, where they will introduce a number of programmes throughout week. Their visit to RTÉ included a tour of the live transmission area and then a session in the dubbing suite to record their links.
RTÉ Ten’s weekly entertainment show, RTÉ Ten News will be presented by a young competition winner. They will help devise the content of the show, select relevant topics and script the piece before filming in the studio. They will then see the process of the piece coming together in the editing suite, working alongside the editor. This will be published on the RTÉ Ten website on Tuesday and will run all week. It will also play multiple times on the RTÉ News Now channel which is available on SAORVIEW and on channel 200 on UPC.
Sleepover Safari:
On Wed 17th April, 10 Golden Ticket winners of a country-wide competition will be having a sleepover at the Natural History Museum. Organised by RTÉ Young Peoples and the elev8 team, in collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland, this is the first time the Natural History Museum has hosted a sleepover and opened its doors for an event like this.
Starting at 6pm that evening, 5 pairs of best friends of primary school age, accompanied by parents/guardians, will enter the Dead Zoo for this once-in-a-lifetime night of adventure. There will be games, challenges, treasure hunts and strange encounters as well as animal/specimen handling sessions in the laboratory of the Museum before lights out. Then everyone settles down for a night underneath the whale bones. The next morning, the adventurers will have an elev8 Sleepover Safari breakfast.
A reporter from 2FM’s Tubridy will follow the progress and report on all the action the next morning. ELEV8 will broadcast a special programme featuring the SLEEPOVER SAFARI on Wednesday 24th April 2013.
Two Tube:
On Friday 19th April the winner of RTÉ Two’s Two Tube Takeover TV will join Stephen , Blathnaid and Sinead in studio to broadcast live to the nation. The winner will join the team for the morning production meeting planning the stories for the day ahead and be involved in both researching and scripting both the studio and online show (I Found This) with her new co-presenters. She will also film and report on location with a surprise celebrity guest and have her hair and makeup done before broadcasting live from Studio 8 to the nation.
Kidspeak: Fresh Film Festival films
In 2012 RTÉ YPP ran a series of workshops in programme making for broadcast TV for a small group of talented Fresh Film Festival film-makers as part of its continuing involvement with festival.
Under the mentorship of RTÉ director Julian Hills, the group was tasked with producing and directing eight x 30 second films which would be broadcast as part of the Kidspeak interstitial series on RTÉ Two and RTÉjr.
The brief was to identify a suitable subject who’s story could be told in a standalone 30sec film and to produce, direct, shoot and edit the piece. The group has delivered an extraordinary set of films which RTÉ YPP is proud to premiere during RTÉ: Tots, Tweens and Teens week.
ON RTÉ RADIO
To celebrate the launch of RTÉjr on TV, on Radio and on Digital, RTÉ Radio’s four FM stations – RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta – will be showcasing the important role that young people play in broadcasting by way of a host of supportive programming throughout RTÉ’s Tots,Tweens And Teens Week.
RTÉ Radio 1
Friday 19 April marks RTÉ’s Tots, Tweens and Teens Week on RTÉ Radio 1. The John Murray Show will be co-presented by a budding young broadcaster; there will be lively debate on Today with Pat Kenny as the programme’s weekly panel discussion segment, The Gathering, is held by young adults talking about topics that matter to them; in the afternoon, Mooney will broadcast live from a Cobh classroom as students keep an eye on fledgling developments via the MooneyNestwatch Cam. At 7pm, Arena with Sean Rocks features young writer Melissa Kavanagh. Later that night, The God Slot, RTÉ Radio 1’s religious and spiritual affairs programme, will air a debate in which four young adults discuss their different faiths and how they divided or united them. Also on RTÉ Radio 1, Seascapes will be hosted by Sea Scouts from various locations around the country.
RTÉ 2fm
On Thursday 18 April on RTÉ 2fm, our Tubridy reporter will be recounting tales from the night before in the wake of RTÉ and the Natural History Museum’s Sleepover Safari. Also during the week, one media-savvy young person will be spending a day with Rick O’Shea on 2fm as he prepares his weekday show.
RTÉ lyric fm
Musical Transitions is a series of five short programmes which were presented and scripted by transition year students as part of the RTÉ lyric fm education and outreach programme. This series of programmes marks the launch of RTÉjr. The programmes offer the chance to introduce some dynamic U-18 young voices to the air to present some great music, anecdotes, facts and a little poetry! Tune in at 10am each day this week while our junior presenters take to the national airwaves in their debut broadcasts.
RTÉ RnaG
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta will mark RTÉ’s TOTS, TWEENS AND TEENS WEEK, or Seachtain na nÓg, with a series of special programmes and competitions. Even before the week starts, RnaG will be spotlighting young talent in the Siansa Gael Linn final, live from the National Concert Hall on Sunday night 14 April 7.30pm.
The western magazine programme Iris Aniar will be focusing throughout the week on young people in the west with features about their lives, the challenges and the benefits of living in a rural Gaeltacht area.
Munster magazine programme An Saol ó Dheas will be broadcasting live from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne on Wednesday at midday, where they will be speaking to young people living in the Kerry Gaeltacht, and they will also include packages from the Waterford and Cork Gaeltacht regions.
Rónán Beo @3 has been running a Battle of the Bands competition for secondary school pupils, who have been invited to write a new song in Irish and record it. The results will be announced on Friday.
On Thall ‘s Abhus, the Saturday morning entertainment programme, presenter Sinéad Ní Uallacháin will be speaking to primary school kids about their opinions of the painting ‘American Gothic’ by Grant Wood.
As part of this special week of programming, Raidió na Gaeltachta ran competitions to allow a young person to co-present Sunday morning traditional music programme Béal Maidine, as well as Sunday night country music show Tequila Tíre. Those shows with winning guest presenters, will be broadcast on Sunday.
Full details of programmes can be found on the RnaG website www.rte.ie/rnag
ON RTÉ ORCHESTRAS
RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
On Monday 15 April morning, percussion, brass and string ensembles from the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra will, between them, visit four Dublin primary schools: Stanhope Street Primary School (Dublin 7), Scoil Treasa Naofa in O’Donovan Road (Dublin 8), John Scottus School (Dublin 4) and Scoil Chaitríona, Baggot Street (Dublin 2). Across 8 performances – 2 in each school being visited – the percussion duo with a colourful array of percussion instruments, brass ensemble (two trumpets, French Horn, trombone and tuba) and two string quartets (violin, viola, cello and double bass) will, with a focus on fun and enjoyment, perform a range of repertoire, allowing students to get ‘up close and personal’ with orchestral musicians and the workings of their individual instruments.
RTÉ CONCERT ORCHESTRA
The orchestra of St Agnes’ Primary School in Crumlin, Dublin will be the very special guests in Studio 1, RTÉ Radio Centre between 11am and 2pm on Tuesday 16 April. To an invited audience of young people, forty string players from St Agnes will perform three short pieces, and their hosts the RTÉ Concert Orchestra will do the same. The two will join forces to rehearse and then perform as one super-orchestra, under conductor Gearóid Grant, and promise to raise the roof with Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, Haydn’s St Anthony Chorale and Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, better known as the Can-Can.
St Agnes’ was the focus of the award-winning TV series Music Changes Lives, which followed the students, teachers and parents involved in the remarkable school orchestra project. This won’t be the first time the school orchestra gets to perform with the RTÉ CO. In 2011, for love: live music day, the RTÉ CO visited the school to perform not only for but alongside the school’s orchestra.