History RTÉ Television

pat kenny presenting world s longest running chat show in 2009, late late show

rtÉ first broadcaster have public system 625-line transmissions in 1962, 2 years before launch of bbc 2 in format. broadcaster made first official colour transmissions in 1969 – although mistake in standards conversion may have transmitted 1968 wimbledon men s finals in colour. first programme made in colour rtÉ documentary special john hume s derry , under 7 days banner. since 1969 rtÉ transmit programmes made in colour imported uk & shown on rtÉ television. next phase outside-broadcasts in colour, , first ireland s hosting of eurovision song contest 1971 & railway cup finals 1971, first of many such productions rtÉ. first studios @ rtÉ s headquarters in donnybrook went colour in 1972. followed news studios in 1974. of rtÉ s studios @ donnybrook, dublin equipped colour broadcasts 1976. last studio in rtÉ go colour studio 1 then-home of ireland s flagship talkshow late late show.

in 1977, new government came power, , 1 of many promises, government authorised second channel run rtÉ. rtÉ 2 s remit provide alternative television. consequence, original rtÉ 2 schedule had many live relays of british programmes; however, there original rtÉ 2 programming. new television channel went on air on 2 november 1978, , opening night featured gala variety show cork opera house.

in 1987, rtÉ 2 renamed network 2, revamp intended revive flagging viewership ratings, many preferring watch bbc northern ireland or utv, both accessible within of republic. sports coverage transferred newly renamed channel, along children s programmes. few irish-language programmes provided rtÉ broadcast on network 2, although rtÉ 1 broadcasts irish-language programmes.

on 15 april 1989, network 2 s sports stadium aired live coverage of english fa cup semi-final tie between liverpool , nottingham forest @ hillsborough , unfolding disaster pens in terraces became overcrowded , fans began spill onto pitch. 96 people died result of injuries in tragedy.

in 1992, rtÉ became shareholder in euronews. 24-hour pan-european news channel operated members of european broadcasting union.

although irish language programmes, such news bulletins (nuacht) , long-running documentary series léargas ( insight ), have been integral part of schedule, new irish-language tv service, teilifís na gaeilge (now tg4), began broadcasting in 1996.

ahead of 50th anniversary of rtÉ television, john bowman wrote history of rtÉ television called window , mirror. rtÉ television: 1961–2011, launched taoiseach enda kenny @ national museum in dublin on 23 november 2011. tv50 launched rtÉ on 26 december 2011. in december 2011 rtÉ launched tv50, celebrate 50 years of irish life on television throughout 2012, beginning on 1 january 2012.