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RTÉ2

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 preexisting channel was renamed RTÉ 1 (currently RTÉ One).

For the RTÉ radio station, see RTÉ 2fm.

Country

Ireland
Northern Ireland
Worldwide (online with restricted and unrestricted programming)

1080i HDTV
(SDTV feed shut down on 22 April 2024)

RTÉ2 +1

2 November 1978

RTÉ 2 (1978–1988)
Network 2 (1988–1997)
N2 (1997–2004)
RTÉ Two (2004–2014)

Channel 2 (HD)
Channel 12 (+1)

Channel 55

Watch live (Ireland only)

Watch live (available depending on the laws and rights in applicable location)

Watch live (Ireland only)

20:00 – RTÉ 2 presenters , Roisin Harkin and Raymond Maxwell introduce viewers to Ireland's second national television channel. The National Anthem followed.

Bernadette Ní Ghallchóir

20.05 – The President of Ireland, introduces the new service.

Patrick Hillery

20.06 – First Night, a gala performance aired live from the Cork Opera House in Cork City, hosted by Mike Murphy. Guest stars included , Gemma Craven, Val Doonican, The George May Dancers, The Irish Ballet Company, The Montford Singers, John O'Connor, Maureen Potter, Colm C.T. Wilkinson and Lena Zavoroni. There were specially recorded inserts from British and American stars such as Bruce Forsyth, Ronnie Barker, Liberace, Sammy Davis Jr, Michael Parkinson, Andy Williams, Dana and Eamonn Andrews.

The Chieftains

21.30 – The first movie to be shown on RTÉ 2, , starring Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughan and Jacqueline Bisset.

Bullitt

23.30 – Newsnight, a late night summary of the national and international news headlines.

23.35 – The channel closed down, ending the first night on air.

[2]

Irish-produced programming[edit]

Reality TV[edit]

The 2000s like many other broadcasters RTÉ2 have had several reality based TV shows.


In 2003, Network 2 set out to find their news TV presenter in a reality show called The Selection Box; the eventual winner was Caroline Morahan.


RTÉ2 also produced two series of the employment reality show No Experience Required, three prospective candidates are evaluated over the course of a week for a vacant position in a top company, the show follows them through interview stages and tasks set out by their prospective employees.[40]


In 2008, RTÉ Two broadcast Hollywood Trials. It follow a group of young actors travelling to make it big in LA. The actors where selected by Hollywood acting guru Margie Haber. Those selected to travel with Margie to LA included Chris Newman from the RTÉ Two drama Love is the Drug, George McMahon from RTÉ One soap opera Fair City and Michael Graham of Boyzone fame.[41] Nelvana


Hollywood Trials was then followed by The Model Agent. The model agent in question was Ellis and with help of Erin O'Connor as the girls mentor she picked Carrie-Anne Burton for a contract with Independent Models, one of the world's leading modelling agencies and a cover for Image magazine, one of the Ireland's most high profile and respected fashion titles.[42] A similar series called The Model Scouts is currently in production.


Do the Right Thing, another reality series, began in September 2010 and was presented by Lucy Kennedy and Baz Ashmawy, in search of Ireland's ultimate volunteer.


In 2011 Masterchef Ireland began airing on the channel.


RTÉ2 also ran spin-off serials to RTÉ One's reality shows, such as You're a Star Uncut, Cabin Fever, and Treasure Island Uncovered.


First Dates (Irish TV series) began broadcasting in 2018, with its 8th season airing in 2023.

Drama[edit]

In the first two decades of RTÉ2, little original drama was produced for the channel; often RTÉ would just repeat their dramas on the channel such as Fair City and Glenroe. RTÉ did place some emphasis on short film in the RTÉ series Short Cuts. Short films remain on RTÉ2 most Monday nights at 11:30; these shorts are not just taken from RTÉ co-financed productions but also from independent producers around the world.


RTÉ2's most successful drama was a drama/comedy/chat show entitled Nighthawks presented by Shay Healy. This was produced as a pseudo-documentary about the behind the scenes of the television production, it featured many well known Irish comedians, however unlike the mockumentary The Larry Sanders Show, Nighthawks featured real interviews and was created by David Blake Knox, who went on to be controller of Network 2 until 1998. Gerry Ryan had a similar format show called Gerry Ryan Tonight during the 1990s.

Saturday Night Live

List of programmes broadcast by Telefís Éireann

RTÉ One

Official website