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Irish Times
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Liveline contenders: ‘Crazy levels of speculation' about who will step in to replace Joe Duffy
The departure of Joe Duffy from RTÉ late last month could serve as a catalyst for a reimagining of the Liveline brand and even lead to an overhaul of the national broadcaster's afternoon schedule, according to sources within the station. The leading contenders to take over from Joe Duffy as the full-time presenter of Liveline were all tight-lipped yesterday as to whether they are still in the running for one of the most high-profile and highly paid roles in Irish broadcasting. An RTÉ spokeswoman declined to be drawn on exactly when Duffy's successor will be announced, only confirming that the recruitment process is ongoing, with no announcement likely until the autumn. [ 'Love you all, it's been a privilege': Joe Duffy presents last Liveline as he retires from RTÉ Opens in new window ] The Irish Times understands that senior management are actively considering a major reboot of the Liveline brand, rather than simply slotting in a replacement presenter. READ MORE A shake-up of the afternoon schedule is possible, although there has been no confirmation that it is a done deal. Talk of any big changes to the line-up is purely speculative. Katie Hannon , who has served as Duffy's most regular stand-in over recent years and has had high-profile full-time roles across television and radio, remains the front-runner to take over. Her Monday night television show Upfront was recently cancelled by RTÉ – a move which led to speculation that it would free her to take on Liveline in a permanent capacity. However, when making the announcement about the show's cancellation, the broadcaster played down the timing, saying it was connected to a change in strategy and well-publicised financial pressures, and nothing to do with the departure of Duffy. Philip Boucher Hayes , the host of Countrywide who is very highly regarded by senior executives in Montrose, has had a range of high-profile roles on radio and television over the last two decades. He has also been a regular substitute Liveline presenter over recent years. Philip Boucher-Hayes has had a range of high-profile roles on both radio and television over the last two decades. Photograph: Ruth Mejber Colm Ó Mongáin is also said to be in serious contention for the hot seat. Boucher Hayes has already presented the programme for two weeks this summer, while Ó Mongáin has been the stand-in this week. Another candidate being talked about in at least some quarters is the current host of the 9am-10am slot, Oliver Callan , although he is a fairly recent arrival at radio centre. He is performing very strongly in his current slot. None of these four responded to queries from The Irish Times yesterday. 'RTÉ will run a process over the coming months to appoint Joe's successor, with an announcement expected in the autumn,' was all a spokeswoman for the broadcaster would say. Other contenders in the frame amid what one RTÉ insider described as 'crazy levels of speculation' include the two Drivetime presenters, Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra , while the bookies have also suggested former Today FM presenter Dermot Whelan as a long-shot for the role. Whoever does take on the job will be paid significantly less than Duffy, who, until his departure at the end of last month, was the highest earner at the national broadcaster. Figures released last year showed he earned €351,000 for his work there, significantly ahead of the next-best-paid broadcaster Claire Byrne , who was said to have earned about €280,000. RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst , who earns €250,000, has made it clear that he will establish a salary ceiling at the organisation at the €250,000 level. Joe Duffy has left Liveline - but who will replace him? Listen | 26:20
Irish Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Philip Boucher-Hayes shuts down RTE Liveline rumours with cheeky swipe
TV host Philip Boucher-Hayes has clarified to listeners that he is not the new host of Liveline. Boucher-Hayes has been hosting the RTE Radio 1 show since Joe Duffy retired on June 27. He is only stepping in as host for two weeks before RTE selects another presenter to fill the show over the summer radio schedule. However, the host told listeners at the start of Liveline on Monday that he had eight different people over the weekend congratulating him on becoming the new host of the iconic phone-in show. But he clarified: 'For the avoidance of further confusion, let us just set it out once again, RTE has not made a decision on this. There are five wannabes. In fact, there's probably a hell of a lot more than five wannabes, but there are five wannabes, yours truly, included being put through their paces on air before RTE makes a decision. 'After that, we will move to the swimwear and ball gown elements of the competition. I think I've got that section nailed down. I want to though, because in the final round is the Hunger Games, they will be placing a big cache of non-lethal weapons under the RTE mast and letting us all race to them, grab your preferred weapon and have at it. 'And everybody is hoping, by that stage of the competition that Sarah McInerney has been taken out because she is very handy with the numb chucks, but the news is no decision made. Well, maybe they have made a decision after my first week in the chair. But let's leave that aside there is officially no decision made, so on with the show.' Mr Duffy retired in star-studded fashion after 27 years at the helm of Liveline on June 27. Joe kept his final sign-off from Liveline on Friday short and sweet, and even revived his iconic pandemic sign-off 'wash your hands'. He told listeners: "That's all from me on Liveline. Goodbye from Studio 1, and remember, 51551. Wash your hands. Love you all. It's been a privilege. It's been a privilege." Speculation remains rife over who will be the new host of Liveline, but it looks like radio fans will have to wait until the autumn for an official announcement. Rumours swirled that Katie Hannon will be taking over from Joe following the news that her current affairs TV series, Upfront with Katie Hannon, has been axed after three seasons and won't be back on air in September.
Dublin Live
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Joe Duffy's Liveline replacement for first week off air confirmed by RTE
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info RTÉ has announced who'll take over Liveline duties next week in the wake of Joe Duffy's departure. After an iconic 27-year tenure, the broadcasting legend bid farewell to his Radio 1 show on Friday. RTE is now on the hunt for Joe's replacement, with the big reveal expected to be announced in the autumn. Ahead of his final show on Friday, Joe, age 69, assured fans that Liveline would continue without interruption, airing as usual come Monday. Philip Boucher-Hayes is set to step into the presenter's shoes for the upcoming week. Philip, the voice behind Radio 1's Countrywide and a seasoned stand-in for Liveline, is no stranger to RTÉ listeners. He's also a regular substitute on Today With Claire Byrne. While rumours swirl about the next permanent voice of Liveline, listeners will likely be on tenterhooks until the official word drops this autumn. (Image: RTE) Whispers suggested Katie Hannon was poised to succeed Joe after her TV venture, Upfront with Katie Hannon, was cancelled post three series, not returning this September. However, Katie will continue at the helm of RTÉ's Behind the Story podcast and is lined up to present a new TV project in the lead-up to the Presidential election later this year, reports RSVP Live. Katie stated: "I'm very proud of what we achieved on Upfront. We managed to buck the international trend and actually grew our audience on linear television and our digital footprint." Meanwhile, Joe kept his final sign off from Liveline on Friday short and sweet, and even revived his iconic pandemic sign-off 'wash your hands'. He told listeners: "That's all from me on Liveline. Goodbye from Studio 1, and remember, 51551. Wash your hands. "Love you all. It's been a privilege. It's been a privilege." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
Extra.ie
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Revealed: The five candidates set to get a chance at Liveline audition
The Liveline is open and the race to replace Joe Duffy kicks off this week when the first of five internal RTÉ contenders gets a live on-air test to show they've got what it takes to helm the flagship open-mic radio show. An RTÉ source said Montrose bosses have identified five potential internal candidates to take over Duffy's coveted Radio 1 programme. These include the Drivetime duo Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra, regular Liveline stand-in Katie Hannon, Saturday show presenter Colm O'Mongáin, and Countrywide host Philip Boucher-Hayes, who will stand in for Duffy from Monday. Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra. Pic: Ruth Medjber After Boucher-Hayes, three of his RTÉ radio colleagues will get their chance to impress in the Liveline hotseat, RTE confirmed last night. It is understood Katie Hannon has already done enough while filling in to stake her claim. Sources also said a 'serious shake-up' of RTÉ's Radio 1 stable is on the cards. One RTÉ insider told 'The race is on! There is a serious shake-up coming, especially in relation to Drivetime. 'So bosses here want to kind of sound out how they [McInerney and O hEadhra] do on Liveline. Colm O'Mongáin. Pic: File 'Sarah McInerney is really good on the current affairs side. They [RTÉ bosses] want to check if she can do the lighter, bright and breezy stuff on a regular basis. Cormac Ó hEadhra ticks both boxes,' they said. The source said O Mongáin 'has made a seriously good impression here, so his name keeps popping up. While not as well known, Colm is making a great fist at his weekend show, so there's the thinking that a relatively new name would be best to take Liveline into the future.' Hannon, whose Monday night current affairs TV show – Upfront With Katie Hannon – was cancelled this week, is also 'in the mix', according to sources. Katie Hannon on RTÉ Radio 1. Pic: RTÉ But one insider told 'There is no doubt that Katie has handled the role well whenever she stands in for Joe, but that in no way means that she will get the gig full time.' The focus on internal talent appears to rule out outside candidates such as Newstalk presenter Ciara Kelly, who had been rumoured to be in the frame to succeed Duffy. RTÉ opened an 'expressions of interest' portal as part of its search for the new Liveline host, which will remain open until this Friday, July 4. The final decision on Duffy's replacement will be made in September. It is understood there was significant interest in the job among RTÉ's stable of radio and TV personalities. However, sources said RTÉ has narrowed the field to the five who will temporarily present the show over the summer in a 'sink or swim' on-air interview to ensure the 'right person for the job' is appointed. Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Referring to the challenge of finding the right successor to Duffy, a source noted: 'Whoever does land the gig has to demonstrate they have a serious level of current affairs knowledge, and an ability to grapple with some tricky legal issues that often arise on Liveline. 'And quite frankly, some people simply don't possess those skills,' the source added. Long-serving Montrose star Duffy announced in May that he was hanging up his Liveline mic after 27 years at the helm of the flagship RTÉ Radio 1 phone-in show. An RTÉ spokeswoman yesterday confirmed Boucher-Hayes, McInerney, O hEadhra and O Mongáin will fill in as Liveline presenter until Duffy's successor is announced.
The Journal
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
With Upfront the latest axing, how worried should we be about the future of evening news shows?
THE DECISION TO cancel RTÉ's Upfront with Katie Hannon has been met with genuine shock with those who've worked on the show for the past number of years. The audience-led current affairs programme has been running since January 2023 when it effectively took the slot previously played host to Claire Byrne Live. An interim eight-part series Monday Night Live plugged the three-month gap between the two permanent shows but Upfront with Katie Hannon has been there since. This week, an RTÉ spokesperson confirmed the show would not be continuing , a decision it said was taken 'due to the prioritising of people and financial resources'. Interestingly, the statement also hinted that there would not be a like-for-like replacement this time, with RTÉ saying it was looking to 'meet the needs of younger, underserved and underrepresented audiences'. RTÉ also provided a statement from Hannon, with the presenter outlining that she was 'disappointed' that the show would not be continuing and referenced that the show had actually grown its audience from the previous series, a fact acknowledged by RTÉ itself. This is what has surprised people, with those who put the show together feeling that the audience growth might have saved it from the chopping block as the broadcaster seeks to cut costs. Hannon will continue in various roles within RTÉ, including the Behind the Story podcast which she co-hosts with fellow journalists David McCullagh and Fran McNulty. The podcast addressed the axing of Upfront this week, with McNulty saying 'it was a surprise to us' and Hannon suggesting there were 'a few words' beyond disappointed she could use but that she would restrain herself. Hannon praised the 'brilliant team' behind the show and noted that it was a 'fairly challenging slot' in which they nonetheless managed to grow the audience. 'Everyone knows the way linear television is going, we had a fairly challenging slot, we didn't come on air until 10.35pm, but people were staying up to watch us and our audiences, our viewership figures, were on the up. Which, as I say, is completely against what's happening elsewhere in linear television. 'Our social media reach was flying as well,' Hannon added. 'So we were delighted with ourselves, but it wasn't to be.' Giving a touch more detail than what RTÉ had said publicly about financial resources, Hannon said the crew had essentially been told that the broadcaster can't provide the same output with less money. 'What we were told basically is that RTÉ news and Current Affairs can't continue to broadcast the same output with less people and less resources and that unfortunately is where we landed.' she said. Hannon added that suggestions in the media that she is being lined up for Liveline are 'beyond my pay grade'. Advertisement 'It was made clear to me that this has absolutely nothing to do with any other decisions that are going to be taken about programmes, and who might present them elsewhere,' she said. Nightly news shows Even aside from the internal machinations of RTÉ, the axing Upfront comes on the back of similar cutbacks to evening news output both in Ireland and abroad. Virgin Media Television last year halved its weekly output of The Tonight Show, leading to the departures of hosts Claire Brock and Ciara Doherty . In the UK, the BBC's flagship Newsnight programme saw its running time cut in late 2023, changing from 40 minutes to a half hour. More than half of Newsnight's 60 jobs were axed as part of the move, which also saw the programme lean more on 'interview, debate and discussion' instead of the in-depth reporting which was the hallmark of the show. Despite the death knell being rung by commentators after that cut, the revamped Newsnight has proven to be a success for the BBC, with audiences rising by about a third compared to 2020 . TonightVMTV / X (Formerly Twitter) In Ireland, The Tonight Show on Virgin Media One now has a permanent new host in the shape of Kieran Cuddihy and has maintained its format and standard despite the reduction in output. Conor Tiernan, a DCU lecturer and former producer of current affairs programmes, also cites Newsnight as an example of how streamlining output can prove to be effective. 'Newsnight is actually a great example, it was dead in the water two years ago. The BBC pulled a lot of staff, stopped having a lot of correspondents and moved to a simpler format, a presenter talking to guests. A similar thing happened with Vincent Browne many years ago. When Vincent Browne was launched in 2007 or 2008, there were correspondents, there were long reports, it was all very resource-heavy. And then very quickly it moved to just Vincent Browne with guests, much cheaper. The viewing figures actually went up, because people wanted to see more of Vincent Browne. Returning to the axing of Upfront, Tiernan said the relentless shift of advertising revenues from linear TV to digital is the 'broader context' but that the specific slot of that programme was clearly a challenge too. Upfront went out on a Monday night. Monday night is an extremely difficult night to attract an audience. It's a very difficult night to attract guests and it's also difficult because of its position in the news cycle. 'Monday is generally quiet, you're either reviewing something that happened a while ago or previewing something that's about to happen. It's always been a very difficult night, that was a very particular problem for Upfront.' Tiernan also references the Liveline gig and whether that was a factor in this case but adds that, regardless of that question, it's also just a fact that Prime Time exists in the same space on two nights a week. With a third current affairs programme like Upfront it's hard to maintain a high quality threshold. These shows are meant to add value through analysis and original journalism, it's just very hard to do that three nights a week. 'That's what happened with The Tonight Show too, it's so difficult to keep it going all week, so they scaled it back to two, hoping that the quality of those two episodes would be higher. By cutting Upfront, it gives more space for Prime Time to be better.' In its statement confirming the cancellation of Upfront, RTÉ named more than 15 TV programmes across news and current affairs that it produces, adding that details of upcoming programming will be announced as part of the wider season launch in August. 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