83-497: RTÉ2 (formerly branded as RTÉ 2 from 1978–88, Network 2 from 1988–97, N2 from 1997–2004 and RTÉ Two from 2004–14) is an Irish free-to-air television channel operated by public service broadcaster RTÉ . It was launched on 2 November 1978 as the Republic of Ireland 's second television channel, at which point the pre-existing channel was renamed RTÉ 1 (currently RTÉ One ). The channel airs content aimed at 16-45 year-olds. In
166-520: A "luxury service". Through this O'Broin was able to get funding for the research he had asked for. The public service broadcaster, Telefís Éireann , opened in 1961, followed by an additional channel RTÉ2 in November 1978. TG4 launched on 31 October 1996 as a free-to-air public service broadcaster that targets Irish language viewers. The earliest colour broadcasts in Ireland took place in 1968. However,
249-619: A Freesat receiver. Some retailers in Ireland sell actual Freesat setboxes. Both Freesat and Sat4free are superior to generic satellite receivers for the reception of UK television, only old stock of Sat4Free is now available and new purchases should be "Freesat HD" even if the TV set is not HDTV. Imported " Grey market " (as the contract the operator has doesn't permit direct sales outside the intended Geographic area) satellite receivers are sometimes used to watch both FTA and subscription channels from visitors home countries (e.g., Cyfrowy Polsat ) Following
332-405: A broad range of programming which is mainly targeted towards young people up to 45-year-olds. Between 08:00 to 16:30 kids and teens programming is served by RTÉjr (separate to the channel) and the teenage strands TRTÉ and Two Tube . From 19:00 onwards, RTÉ2 provides a wide range of programming from Irish produced content, sports, comedy, dramas, films and acquisitions from North America, Australia,
415-452: A broadcast of a gala ceremony from Cork Opera House . Owing to a technical error, audio from BBC2 was played during the countdown instead of the proper soundtrack. When the channel commenced programmes, there was no audio for the initial 15 seconds. The opening night's line up was as follows: Up to 60% of the Republic of Ireland could receive UK channels via spillover or via cable. Cable in
498-491: A full colour service was only introduced in 1973, with The Late Late Show remaining in monochrome until 1976. On 20 September 1998, TV3 launched as the first independent commercial broadcaster in Ireland. In the 2000s television in Ireland expanded with the launch of Eir Sport 1 , Bubble Hits (now defunct) and 3e (originally C6 on Cable, later added to Sky), which are available through PayTV cable and satellite services. TV3 purchased C6 and rebranded it 3e. Only with
581-509: A long process however in May 2018, it was reported by The Irish Times that RTÉ have requested permission from the Department of Communications to launch RTÉ2 +1. On 13 December 2018, RTÉ2 +1 began test broadcasts on Astra 2F under the label 5493 using frequency 11914 H 27500 5/6 DVB-S QPSK. Testing included showing Sky Sports channels and a previously aired weather forecast on repeat. This frequency
664-511: A new chat show on RTÉ One called Good Grief Moncrieff , however this was not a success due in part to the conservative and mainstream RTÉ One audience. Later he would go on to present the RTÉ Two series Don't Feed the Gondolas . Barry Murphy presented Friday Nights with a mix of his surreal comedy and introductions to the classic BBC comedy series The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin and
747-490: A new corporate logo and TV idents, this would be the first time that the RTÉ corporate logo would be seen on RTÉ2. While the rebrand was a small success for the channel it was felt that RTÉ 2 and RTÉ 1 needed more specific audiences. RTÉ 2 at this stage was becoming more and more associated with youth orientated programming and sports programming (especially as UK and other international channels were becoming more and more available across
830-461: A new service called The Night Shift. There was another major revamp in November 1997, and the channel was visually rebranded as "N2", though announcers continued to refer to "Network 2". N2 brought about perhaps as big a change as the original relaunch, RTÉ branding was dropped from the station almost completely, with home produced programmes now being referred to as "N2 Productions" (foreign imports were "N2 Presentations"). A futuristic logo along with
913-422: A pan-European satellite service was launched through SES . The service provided viewers with pan-European channels which targeted the entire continent. On 5 February 1989, when Sky Television launched, British Satellite Broadcasting , which was also available in Ireland, launched in 1990 and the two merged to form British Sky Broadcasting in 1990. For most of the 1990s however, Sky's DBS customer base in Ireland
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#1732876723191996-445: A regular fixture, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays. The Den was now broadcast all day until 18:00 and was renamed Den 2 . RTE 1 and N2 had separate Weather forecasts (November 1997- January 13, 2002). On Monday January 14, RTE 1 and N2 weather forecasts were remerged. Not all the changes were universally welcomed, with the "N2" era, RTÉ cancelled its long-running Saturday sports programme, Sports Stadium in 1997. Many of
1079-449: A series of unusual graphical idents were developed. In-vision announcing returned. More importantly, the channel's line-up was completely refreshed. The late night schedule was completely revamped, with the launch of News 2 —a tailored bulletin for young people—followed by a talk show, Later On 2 . Monday nights became comedy nights, with the launch of home-produced comedy such as Don't Feed The Gondolas . Elsewhere theme nights became
1162-402: A simulcast of Euronews , and finishing at 4:30. The HD channel launched on Saorview on 27 May 2011. The service broadcasts sports, documentaries, movies and American, Canadian, and Australian programming in a high-definition 1080i format. On 15 March 2012, RTÉ2 HD was added to UPC Ireland . RTÉ2 HD was added to Sky on 16 May 2012. RTÉ2 HD was due to launch on Sky on 14 May 2012, but
1245-463: A television set to receive broadcasts from the BBC . The Department of Finance at this time were worried about the cost of setting up a new television service and dismissed the possibility on several occasions during the 1950s. By March 1951 O'Broin would press for the inevitable establishment of an Irish television service in the state. In a memorandum to government, the department set out four possibilities for
1328-410: A timely, reasonable, non-discriminatory and transparent manner to the network to provide their own services and electronic programme guide from up to 20 channels maximum space. The licence would be for ten years and not automatically renewed. Those services are encrypted by the service provider to the subscriber. Contributors to the consultation 08/44 were given time to reflect on the terms suggested for
1411-641: A very successful Irish comedian, while also starring in and writing Apres Match for RTÉ Sport . The End's reporter Colin Murnane had appeared first on RTÉ's youth show JMTV moved to London to present for TCC, BBC, Sky1 and others, and to forge a career as one of the most successful Irish voice-overs in Soho. It would also begin RTÉ's 24-hour services, up to this point both RTÉ One and Two aired until about midnight each night. The Network Two Night Shift strand would ultimately take over from The End . Night Shift would use
1494-555: Is Sky Ireland , which broadcasts digital satellite television services. Virgin Media Ireland , Vodafone TV and Eir among others, provide similar digital television services to Irish viewers. Television was first received in Ireland in 1949, following the opening of high-power BBC transmitters at Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham, England and later Holme Moss in West Yorkshire, England, giving marginal reception along parts of
1577-470: Is available as a separate channel. Two Tube remains as the teenage block of programming. From 22 September 2014 RTÉ Two became RTÉ2 and presented a new schedule of programming. The channel established itself as the "voice for the under 35s" where the new schedule continued with new seasons of New Girl , The Big Bang Theory , Grey's Anatomy , Brooklyn Nine-Nine , Masters of Sex , Devious Maids , The Americans , Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and
1660-524: Is known as Saorview and is the primary source of broadcast television since analogue transmissions ended on 24 October 2012. Digital satellite (from Sky Ireland , Saorsat and other European satellite service providers are available) and digital cable (from Virgin Media Ireland ) are also widely used. While many people receive their television via Saorview , which is broadcast by 2RN , more than half subscribe to multichannel television networks. The biggest single multichannel television network in Ireland
1743-621: Is licensed to operate all over Munster. Operating at 11.7 GHz to 12.5 GHz ( MVDDS ) it delivered approximately 75 digital television channels and video on demand services from "Sky By Wire". Digital satellite is the only form of subscriber satellite transmission available in the country and is provided by Sky (and Sky+ HD ). The Freesat a UK service is also available in the country, as are FTA satellite channels from several other European countries. One company provides digital television via IPTV; Magnet Entertainment . In rural areas where neither cable or direct terrestrial overspill
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#17328767231911826-457: Is made up of a new strand of early evening repeats. The idents from this time were based on a Green Room theme. The latest change has been a complete rebrand and relaunch of The Den , on Saturday 17 September 2005, with the id Two strand becoming TTV on the following Monday. In September 2009, TTV relaunched as Two Tube . RTÉ Two got a new look on 17 September 2009. The new idents were created by RTÉ Graphic Design. Programme cutbacks saw
1909-489: Is the same used by RTÉ One SD, RTÉ One +1, RTÉ2 SD and others. Astra 2F is a satellite that Sky and Freesat (in the UK) use. On 19 February 2019, RTÉ2 +1 launched on Saorsat (and Saorview) only. From 19 February to 20 July 2019, RTÉ2 +1 broadcast the same on Astra 2F as on Saorsat and Saorview. On 20 July 2019, RTÉ2 +1 stopped broadcasting on Astra 2F showing a "No signal" message. On 24 February 2021, RTÉ2 +1 reappeared on Astra 2F on
1992-554: The Clermont Carn transmitter in the Cooley Mountains, County Louth with some signal bleed into Northern Ireland. A contract to run a nationwide system, with six multiplexes from main sites, and four from relay sites was awarded in 2001 to ITS Digital Limited, led by former RTÉ executive Peter Branagan and trading as "It's TV", who intended to launch a pay TV and broadband service. ITS wanted to offer broadband internet access using
2075-509: The DVB-RCT standard (which while high bandwidth at up to 30 Mbit/s, is not fast enough with 20,000 people on one mast). They had no broadband licence and no viable business plan without selling broadband, and due to lack of funding withdrew its application in October 2002. The government also planned to privatise RTÉ's transmission network at this time but this too failed in October 2002 following
2158-798: The Houses of the Oireachtas Channel and the Irish Film Channel, subject to finance from the government for the last two. The then Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte aspired to have a complete DTT service rolled out by 31 December 2011. In Ireland, the Commission for Communications Regulation regulates radio wave spectrum licensing, and since 1 October 2009 the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland regulates both public service broadcasters such as RTÉ, TG4 and commercial broadcasters. DVB-T
2241-528: The 1970s, the Irish government considered three options for the introduction of a second television service: the re-transmission of BBC1 Northern Ireland ; authorization of an independent commercial service; or charging RTÉ with the establishment of a second national channel. It was the last of these that was finally chosen. After a period of test transmissions in the late summer and autumn the channel began scheduled broadcasting at 20:00 on 2 November 1978, opening with
2324-556: The Mobile Telegraphy Licence was seen as the best use of spectrum, given the nature of the spectrum of 8 MHz of UHF band in between 470 and 750 MHz in the five main urban areas due to the limited spectrum arising from DTT introduction and use of 4 multiplexes as the spectrum priority prior to analogue switchover (ASO). ComReg proposed launch of the wholesale mobile TV network following licence award be rolled out within 24 months before penalty or licence withdrawal from
2407-480: The RTÉ archives website. Much of the innovation and local programming on RTÉ2 has been cut by RTÉ. Outside of sports programming RTÉ2 programming includes the Irish version of First Dates and a DIY show called Home Rescue . Some innovations remain such as Other Voices and highlights from the RTÉ Choice Music Prize . With children's content now starting at 08:15 in the morning with RTÉjr, following
2490-478: The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, some of the most popular include: Free to access: Republic of Ireland Northern Ireland DVB-H Virgin Media Ireland provided a wireless cable service over an all digital MMDS network reaching over 80% of the country. This network operated at 2.5 GHz to 2.7 GHz until the 18 April 2016. The now defunct SCTV Digital provided an advanced digital television service to Cork City and parts of County Cork. It
2573-587: The Twain , Treasure Hunt and Wogan and American shows such as The Dick Cavett Show , Tales of the Unexpected , My Friend Rabbit , Crazy Like a Fox and The Tracey Ullman Show . They also broadcast the Australian soap opera A Country Practice . In 1988 RTÉ did a major revamp of the service, focusing more on Sports, Children's TV, Irish Programming as RTÉ 2 was still behind both UTV and BBC One NI in
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2656-524: The UK and Central Europe. RTÉ2 has a strong tradition of broadcasting many US TV shows prior to other European broadcasters, though this has slightly changed in recent years. Films are also regularly aired on the channel especially Irish-European cinema and International cinema. Until September 2014, RTÉ2 had stands such as Two Wild (nature documentaries), Two Extreme (extreme sports/adventure documentaries), and RTÉ Sport on Two , these strands were axed in 2014 but
2739-583: The US sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun . Sean Moncrieff presented Saturday Nights with a mix of interviews and introductions to classic BBC comedy series Fawlty Towers and Yes Minister . Colin Murnane who had moved on from RTÉ young people's JMTV and Plastic Orange, appeared on both nights as a reporter. The End would help to launch the careers of its two presenters, Sean Moncrieff now hosts his own daytime radio show on Newstalk , while Barry Murphy continues to be
2822-574: The United Kingdom. Following a broad range of technical work, the two governments agreed an effective way to provide for the continuing provision of TG4 by building a new, low power TV multiplex in Northern Ireland. In addition to carrying TG4, this multiplex, which is part of the UK DTT system, also carries RTÉ 1 and RTÉ 2. This increased the coverage of these channels in Northern Ireland, to 90% of
2905-506: The audience appetite for late night TV. The End was presented by Barry Murphy on Friday nights and by Sean Moncrieff on Saturday nights. The End had a cult following of "drunks and teenagers" who would often ring into the show leaving bizarre late night messages for the presenters. Sean Moncrieff would be joined by a puppet called Septic in later seasons. Barry Murphy would use The End to launch many of his Apres Match characters such as Frank Stapleton . Sean Moncrieff would get
2988-541: The brand names Chorus NTL and UPC Ireland, is by far the largest cable operator, almost all of the state's cable TV operators and formerly all of the state's MMDS licences. Virgin Media offers digital cable television services in cities and towns throughout the country (with the exception of Cork, where the network is digital-only). It offered MMDS services in rural areas until the MDS licences were withdrawn in 2016. Other than Virgin Media,
3071-782: The channel as 'N2' in November 1997. Andrew Fitzpatrick was poached to take control of RTÉ scheduling from TV3; however, N2 basically reverted to being part of the overall RTÉ Television structure. With no dedicated channel controller until then, in May 2011 it was announced by RTÉ that Eddie Doyle had been given the position of commissioning editor at RTÉ Two. Eddie Doyle was RTÉ Commission Editor of Entertainment. In May 2013 RTÉ announced Bill Malone as RTÉ Two's controller. Eddie Doyle became Head of Comedy, Talent Development and Music at RTÉ. In July 2016 Bill Malone moved to rival channel TV3 (now Virgin Media Television) as Head of Programming. Channel Control at RTÉ One, Adrian Lynch, took over
3154-450: The channel by the fuller title of "RTÉ Network Two", in line with a new RTÉ initiative to promote the corporate branding. The main channel idents never changed and said merely "N2" (although a newly introduced on-screen DOG said "RTÉ N2".) and finally in 2004 Network 2 was relaunched as RTÉ Two, in line with its sister channel RTÉ One. RTÉ decided the channel needed another revamp to keep it fresh. The channel's name reverted to RTÉ Two on
3237-610: The channel simultaneously with ITV's broadcasts of the programme (this continued until 1992 when it was put on RTÉ 1 due to the Olympic Games coverage). It broadcast much live programming from the BBC and ITV including Top of the Pops . However, the channel in its initial format was not considered a success. It was on air from 18:00 until 23:30 during the week, with an earlier start around 15:30 at weekends. However, by 1987, RTÉ 2 rebranded as part of RTÉ's 25th celebrations relaunched with
3320-417: The channel. Two Tube will continue to air from 17:30 until 19:00. It is proposed by RTÉ to launch RTÉ2+1 in efforts to raise much needed revenue. By 2015, RTÉ2 began to focus on imported programming from Denmark, Iceland and Germany. The channel increased its output of Irish themed reality series. On 3 November 2018, RTÉ2 celebrated its 40th anniversary and began to offer vintage clips of shows from RTÉ2 on
3403-520: The comparative beauty contest before 11 September 2009 and following that feedback and ComReg's further reflection on that, the comparative contest guidelines were issued and an application date set by the end of the year. The winner of that contest would have two years to build the network and agree terms with Other Mobile TV Service Providers. The Broadcasting Act 2009 was also referred to in Comreg Publication 09/64. By April 2010, following on from
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3486-402: The country). In 1988, the majority of sporting and children's programming was moved to Network 2, the new name for RTÉ 2. In September 1988, RTÉ 2 was given a major revamp and became Network Two. In addition to the launch of a new vivid red, blue, and green logo, the channel now came on air at 14:30. The Den was moved to the channel, along with most youth and children's programming. Jo Maxi
3569-422: The digital switchover. While initial reports suggested that BBC services would equally be made available free-to-air in the Republic of Ireland at the same time, this was not to be the case. Instead BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC Two Northern Ireland were to be made available on a paid-for basis. In practice all BBC satellite channels can be received freely in the Republic of Ireland, due to overspill from
3652-400: The east coast. The first transmissions on the island of Ireland began with the launch of BBC in Northern Ireland ( BBC Northern Ireland ) when it began broadcasting television programmes in 1953, followed in 1959 by the launch of Ulster Television (now known as UTV ). Throughout the 1950s the governments of Ireland were worried about the influences of British television and the popularity of
3735-427: The end of 24-hour broadcasting on the channel, with Euronews filling the down-time. Teleshopping was also introduced for the first time. Continuing with the corporate branding of RTÉ radio and Television stations RTÉ Two's iconic children's brand The Den ended on 20 September 2010. The Den was replaced by TRTÉ , while Den Tots was replaced by RTÉjr ; this was due mainly to the onset of digital TV on which RTÉjr
3818-612: The event of an emergency or catastrophic failure of the DTT system. Approval for the revised National DTT plan and the new Saorsat satellite service was announced by the Minister for Communications at the end of July 2010. The Saorsat satellite service has been available publicly since 3 May 2012 as tests had commenced at the end of May 2011. With over one quarter of the population viewing programming on streaming platforms, many public service broadcasters and international streaming services serve
3901-552: The failure of the commercial DTT process in May 2010 RTÉ submitted a revised DTT plan including an FTA satellite option to the Dept of Communications in mid-June 2010 for approval. RTÉ publicly announced at an Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications discussion in mid-July 2010 that a free-to-air satellite service, called Saorsat , would be offered to complement the terrestrial DTT service. Saorsat will enable Irish public service channels to be made available free to air and unencrypted, for
3984-576: The final season run of Mad Men . Brand new imported shows included Outlander , Gotham , Resurrection , iZombie and CSI Cyber . RTÉ2 confirmed it had secured broadcasting rights for two Danish drama series 1864 and The Saboteurs: The Heavy Water War , both broadcasting in 2015. In terms of home-produced Irish programming RTÉ2 confirmed the return of Other Voices (Season 13), Maia Dunphy 's What Women Want (Season 2), Second Captains Live , ' The Savage Eye (final series), The Republic of Telly , Damo & Ivor , The Fear and
4067-463: The first time, as a means of covering the last 2% of the population who will be unable to receive the Saorview terrestrial service. RTÉ said the combined offering was designed to be the most cost-effective solution for viewers and broadcasters; to offer for the first time 100% coverage of free-to-air public service television services in Ireland, and to provide full national backup coverage on satellite in
4150-523: The first time. While Sky is the biggest satellite service in Ireland, it is by no means the only satellite broadcast available. Most free to air broadcasts available in Europe are available in Ireland via the right receiver ( set top box ) and a dish pointed at the correct satellite. In 2008, Sat4free , an adapted version of the UK Freesat equipment, began selling in Ireland. It is a fixed NI postcode version of
4233-459: The innovations of the N2 era had faded out by 2003: Simpler creations replaced the idents and the in-vision continuity was scrapped again. Later On 2 had more-or-less ended (one of the strands later continued as The View on RTÉ One ). In September 2003, News 2 reverted to the regular RTÉ News format (as RTÉ News on Two ). From September 2003, continuity announcers and trailers began to refer to
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#17328767231914316-432: The launch of Saorview (FTA DTT) was 3e available free-to-air. Ireland commenced its switch over to its free-to-air digital terrestrial television (DTT) in October 2010. This provided viewers with greater viewing opportunities with an increase in public service channels, i.e. of commercial services with the possibility of more public service channels from existing public service broadcaster and possibly two new channels,
4399-721: The licence in the fourth quarter of the year of 2010 and announce the licence results by the end of 2010. It weighed elements of business plans when it began the comparative process in Q4 2010. Offer of licence would have been 2011 but this was then cancelled by ComReg. International frequency co-ordination would also be ongoing during the period primarily with the UK. Comments to ComReg's mobile television licence proposal were taken until 30 April 2010. By November 2010, only two responders responded to ComReg's Television licence proposals consultation. These were RTÉNL and Vodafone Ireland. Points regarding wholesale access commitments considered critical for
4482-480: The long running Australian soap opera Home and Away , while A Country Practice moved to RTÉ One. In 1992 Coronation Street moved to RTÉ One. Other US shows at this time included Head of the Class , Ferris Bueller and Eerie Indiana . Television in the Republic of Ireland Television in the Republic of Ireland is available through a variety of platforms. The digital terrestrial television service
4565-586: The medium. By the end of the 1950s, 60% of the population could receive the UK's BBC TV and ITV from spillover from Northern Ireland, Wales and the west of England. Throughout the 1950s the Irish government discussed the provision of an Irish television service; this was headed up by Leon O'Broin, the secretary of the Department of Post and Telegraphs. The Department of Post and Telegraphs had responsibility for Radio Éireann, Ireland's radio service. In 1950 O'Broin established his own committee on Irish television and bought
4648-473: The morning of 2 October 2004, with a themed evening of programmes called "Farewell Network 2" beginning at 20:00, featuring Podge and Rodge . The new logo is similar in style to the current RTÉ One logo. The new branding is designed to promote the Irishness of the station, green is the dominant colour. New strands were developed. In particular, the number of Irish made programmes has increased, though some of this
4731-599: The multiplex which is licensed under the UK's Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 by Ofcom at the request of the UK government. In addition, the licensee has put out to competitive tender all the elements of the multiplex operation which are contestable and the multiplex is operated on an open book basis. Mobile Terrestrial Television is TV on mobile phone handsets, which does not have contention problems compared to 3G networks. The Commission for Communications Regulation issued its response to Consultation 08/44 about interest in multi-city mobile TV licenses that could cover up to 40% of
4814-480: The newly created youth orientated news service News Feed . RTÉ2 also confirmed new Irish reality programmes including Holding Out for a Hero , Connected , Full Frontal , Bressie's Teenage Kicks , and Drunk and #Trending . RTÉ2 continued to focus on major sporting events and the channel will showcase Irish films in association with the Irish Film Board . TRTÉ will play a major role in the daytime schedule on
4897-558: The only other operators providing digital cable systems are Crossan CableComm which operates in Longford, Smyths Cablevision, which operates in Cavan, and Casey Cablevision which operates in Dungarvan , County Waterford . Direct broadcast satellite service has been available since the late 1980s with the arrival of free-to-air satellite Astra and subscription service Sky Television . In 1988
4980-526: The ownership and control of a new service: The Department of Finance was incensed with this and asked the government to tell O'Broin to resubmit the proposals through the Department of Finance according to the formal procedures of the Civil Service. John A. Costello , the Taoiseach , did so and returned the memo to the Department of Post and Telegraphs. The Minister for Finance refused to look at TV, calling it
5063-444: The population in Northern Ireland to receive their services on a free-to-air basis, either through overspill as before or via the new multiplex. The former analogue signals were switched off on a co-ordinated basis in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland on 24 October 2012. Foreseen as part of the agreement between both governments was the establishment of a joint venture (as a not-for-profit company) between RTÉ and TG4 to run
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#17328767231915146-525: The population that would lead to the Award of available UHF spectrum in the urban areas of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. That response to consultation was issued on Tuesday 28 July 2009. Having provided options to stakeholders in terms of 2 options outlined in Consultation 08/44 of Mobile Telegraphy Licence or a technology neutral Wireless Telegraphy Licence, and minded by the 7 responses it received,
5229-428: The promised content of the new channel, with presenter Róisín Harkin stating: "from ten to seven [i.e. 6:50 p.m.] each weekday, three o'clock on Saturdays and six o'clock on Sundays, RTÉ 2 will be bringing you the best of BBC, ITV and other first rate programming." In the first two years of the channel, it would normally open at 6pm and close down for the night at 11.30pm. British soap drama Coronation Street aired on
5312-462: The ratings. As Network 2 the service still focused strongly on imported programming, RTÉ would now look to have first runs of US programming before other European networks. In the early years Network 2 broadcast US sit-coms Monday to Friday at 21:00 such as The Golden Girls , Cheers , The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd , Check It Out and Murphy Brown . They also broadcast Knots Landing and Falcon Crest . They also began broadcasting
5395-417: The republic was only permitted in areas of spillover up to the mid-1980s, to provide viewers with better reception of channels they could already receive over the air. Hence RTÉ 2 was aimed at those that did not have the UK channels. To this end one of their main remits was the re-broadcasting of UK programming to Irish audiences, that would not otherwise be seen on RTÉ 1. The official opening on RTE 2 outlined
5478-553: The response to its consultation at end of 2009 the communications regulator ComReg issued an Information Notice on the future award of a mobile television license, ComReg 10/26 Mobile TV Wireless Telegraphy Licence Award on Tuesday, 30 March 2010. The Information Notice provided in ComReg's plans to issue one 8 MHz frequency channel in the UHF band in the areas of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford and invited candidates to tender for
5561-414: The role at RTÉ2 and eventual became Director of Channels and Marketing at the broadcaster in 2018. RTÉ 2 was original set up to provide Irish viewers with retransmission of BBC and ITV programming. In 1978 it introduced a simulcast of many British programmes including Top of the Pops . Other UK shows included Coronation Street (which began simulcasting from 1983), Porridge , Mastermind , Never
5644-408: The same frequency as before using the same label (5493). On Wednesday 10 March 2021, RTÉ2 +1 was added to Sky on channel 202. The following figures were issued by RTÉ as part of their annual reports in 2008 and 2012: Total costs Profit and loss Breakdown of Irish productions The table below outlines RTÉ2's total in-house and commissioned programming by genre in 2008 and 2012: RTÉ2 provides
5727-452: The strands contents play an important role in the current schedule. Dick Hill was RTÉ 2's first controller until 1994. During the time of the 1997 rebrand of the channel as N2 they had placed the Head of Schedule as "controller" of the channel. Up until then, the channel was run side by side RTÉ One under RTÉ Television. In October 1988 RTÉ 2 was repositioned as Network 2, with a full relaunch of
5810-403: The successful provision of wholesale Mobile TV service and the provision of Mobile TV services for the benefits of consumers more generally were discussed. The two responders addressed points regarding automatic additional spectrum and ComReg outlined that it was minded to consider later award of mobile TV license when a national network for same would be possible of for other uses. The main concern
5893-434: The transition to DTT . There are few (if any) such systems still operating in Ireland. The End (Irish TV programme) The End is an Irish adult comedy late night television strand on Network Two / RTÉ Two in the Republic of Ireland . It was first broadcast September 1993, and last aired in May 1996. The End was aired on Friday and Saturday night from 11 pm to 2 am. RTÉ used this show to test
5976-480: The wider public aware of the needs of aging and disabled viewers; they also launched a website. Promotion for DTT roll-out began on 17 March 2011. On 1 February 2010 Ireland's then-Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan signed an agreement with the UK's Ben Bradshaw . This agreement was designed to ensure viewers within Northern Ireland could watch RTÉ One , RTÉ2 and TG4 on a free-to-air basis after
6059-526: The winner of the contest. The contest was done by comparative beauty contest instead of auction, given the nature of Mobile TV as a newish area and the risks in terms of investment inherenet in it. Given the limited spectrum a wholesale model as noted by the EU Commission reference 2 in such situation is chosen. This results in third parties having access through agreements with the wholesale mobile network operator as Other Mobile TV Service Providers (OMTSPs) in
6142-529: The withdrawal of ITS Digital Limited DTT licence application and a number of other factors. TV Access , a coalition of organisations that promote issues surrounding individuals with disabilities and senior citizens, began a campaign to highlight the switchover from analogue to digital television (DTT) broadcast services in its contribution to the Oireachtas Communications Committee heard on Wednesday, 1 April 2009. TV Access aimed to make
6225-553: Was a big success, and Network Two remained stable until the mid-1990s. A new logo – referring to the channel as RTÉ Network 2 (though the "RTÉ" part was not referred to by announcers) – was launched with the new RTÉ logo in 1995. By this time, RTÉ Network 2 broadcast from mid-morning onwards, with educational programmes during the day. Also during this era, the channel experimented with late night broadcasts at weekends, under The End brand, anchored by Barry Murphy and Sean Moncrieff . Broadcast hours were extended to 03:00 every day with
6308-432: Was available, UHF television programme retransmission systems or deflectors picked up the UK terrestrial channels (either from Northern Ireland or Wales), and retransmitted them on local UHF signals along with other channels. These operators faced legal action in the late 1990s from MMDS operators, as they did not pay royalties to the relevant broadcasters, and were not licensed. When the deflectors were shut down, there
6391-477: Was delayed by two days due to technical problems. On 22 April 2024, RTÉ2 SD was shut down on Sky, marking the end of the standard-definition feed. RTÉ2 +1 launched on 19 February 2019, and it broadcasts daily from 19:00 until 02:00 Monday to Friday and 12:00 until 02:00 Saturday and Sunday. The channel launched only on Saorview and it will eventually roll out onto other platforms such as Sky Ireland and Virgin Media Ireland . The development of RTÉ2 +1 has been
6474-653: Was dwarfed by the large numbers receiving its channels via cable. Sky Digital, Ireland's first digital television service, launched in October 1998. However, in the absence of any subsidy for the Sky Digibox in Ireland – viewers in the UK could avail of both a Sky subsidy and one from British Interactive Broadcasting – the cost to initially acquire Sky Digital equipment was very expensive ( IEP 450) and subscriber numbers did not rise until both these subsidies were introduced into Ireland in 2000. In 2001, UK and Irish terrestrial channels became available to Irish Sky customers for
6557-409: Was launched as the youth strand. Sports Stadium took up the entire Saturday afternoon schedule, and all sports programming was aired on the channel, along with Irish language programming. A late night news bulletin, Network News , was followed by the controversial but highly successful chat show / soap opera Nighthawks presented by Shay Healy , and produced by David Blake-Knox. This relaunch
6640-476: Was repeatedly tested from 2RN 's Three Rock Mountain transmitter, with relatively long tests in 1998 and 2001, and shorter tests in 2004, with a single multiplex carrying the four Irish analogue terrestrial channels, and Tara Television while it was in existence, on both UHF (channel 26) and VHF (channel D). These were under temporary licences for testing, which are regularly awarded. RTÉast Networks also broadcast test DVB-T with analogue TV and radio channels from
6723-608: Was such an outcry in those areas that an independent election candidate in County Donegal , Tom Gildea , was elected as a TD on a platform of supporting legalisation, which occurred in 1999. Deflectors were first licensed in 1999 by the then spectrum regulator, the ODTR . The Wireless Telegraphy (UHF Television Programme Retransmission) Regulations, 2009 were the last for deflectors, as all deflector licences expired in December 2012 due to
6806-592: Was the most common system for distributing multi-channel television in Ireland. With more than 40 years of history and extensive networks of both wired and "wireless" cable , Ireland is amongst the most cabled countries in Europe. Forty percent of Irish homes received cable television in September 2006. The figure dropped slightly in the early years of the 21st century due to the increased popularity of satellite reception, notably Sky , but has stabilised recently. In Ireland, Virgin Media Ireland , which formerly traded under
6889-443: Was to whether there is demand for broadcast mobile TV, given experiences elsewhere or whether the award be made post ASO when international spectrum co-ordination is clearer. ComReg welcomed views regarding these issues from interested parties by no later than 5.00 p.m. on 9 December 2010. It will make its decision going forward on the licence proposal following consideration of responses to this. Prior to Sky Digital, cable television
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