Shanley’s family told of Six One change
RTÉ News boss Jon Williams rang the husband of the late Keelin Shanley early on Friday to let him know that David McCullagh had been chosen as the new co-anchor of the Six One News.
Sarah McInerney and Richard Downes are two of the names who have been mentioned as possible replacements for McCullagh as Prime Time host.
It is believed Mr Williams has the Prime Time format in his sights for a radical shake-up.
He is the man who replaced the Monday night Questions & Answers with The Claire Byrne Show – a more populist programme and also one that is much cheaper to produce.
‘It’s no secret that the schedulers also have their eyes on those two Prime Time slots right after the news every Tuesday and Thursday,’ said an RTÉ source.
‘But guess what? When Prime Time is off during the summer, they never get the figures in that slot. Irish people like their current affairs and moves to tinker too much with Prime Time would be met with opposition in RTÉ and from the public, I expect.’
RTÉ was heavily criticised in 2017 when it emerged that Sharon Ní Bheoláin was being paid between €60,000 and €80,000 a year less than her Six One co-host Bryan Dobson.
The speculation is that McCullagh and co-anchor Caitríona Perry and will receive equal pay for the Six One job. Asked whether the two would be paid the same, RTÉ said it would not comment on salaries, but added: ‘An announcement regarding a presenter of Prime Time will be made in due course.’