RTÉ GOES WEST IN DIGITAL FIRST
RTÉ is to have its leaders debate from Galway for the first time and has promised that its electoral coverage will be ‘digital first’, with the internet taking precedence over TV and radio.
Announcing its election plans yesterday, the broadcaster said it now has a special Election 2020 index on RTÉ News online and on the RTÉ News Now app.
RTÉ One will feature two live television Leaders’ Debates during the campaign, on Monday, January 27, and Tuesday, February 4.
Broadcast from NUI Galway, Claire Byrne Live General Election Debate has invited leaders from seven political parties to take part, with questions from a 300-strong audience. Prime Time will broadcast RTÉ’s final television leaders debate on Tuesday, February 4, in the RTÉ studios in Dublin, with the leaders of the two biggest political parties invited. Both debates will be followed by a live reaction programme, The Spin Room.
Election 2020: Bryan Dobson Interviews... is a new series of in-depth interviews with party leaders, to be broadcast at 7pm on RTÉ One.
Prime Time will be broadcasting live from around the country during the campaign with specially invited audiences discussing issues affecting longdistance commuters, small towns and villages, and urban communities.
On Thursdays, Richard Downes will be joined by reporters Maggie Doyle and Barry Lenihan for PT Extra on RTÉ One for a late night look at the campaign.
The Week in Politics with Áine Lawlor will double its political coverage, keeping a sharp eye on the campaign as it unfolds with an additional programme every Wednesday night on RTÉ One.
RTÉ Radio 1 will also take to the road to meet and hear from voters.
There will also be a satirical take on the week’s election news with Callan’s Kicks each Friday night on RTÉ Radio 1.