RTÉ One
RTÉ One is Ireland’s principal public-service television channel, operated by Raidió Teilifís Éireann.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
RTÉ One is the flagship television service of Ireland’s public-service broadcaster, Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). It began broadcasting on 31 December 1961 as Telefís Éireann, establishing the Republic of Ireland’s first domestic television service. The channel was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966 after the Radio Éireann Authority became Radio Telefís Éireann, and it adopted the RTÉ 1 identity in 1978 following the launch of RTÉ2. It is now branded RTÉ One. The service has historically occupied a central position in Irish public life. Its schedule combines national and international news, current affairs, domestic drama and comedy, Irish-language output, documentaries, factual programming, sport, entertainment, imported series, films and major national events. News and current-affairs coverage includes regular bulletins and political programming, as well as election, referendum, budget and other public-interest broadcasts. Long-running programmes associated with the channel include The Late Late Show, Fair City, Nationwide, Prime Time and The Week in Politics, although individual programmes and schedules change over time. RTÉ One’s public-service role distinguishes it from wholly commercial channels. RTÉ is funded through a combination of public funding connected to the television licence system and commercial income, including advertising and sponsorship. As a result, RTÉ One generally carries less advertising than many commercial services available in Ireland. The channel also supports Irish-language and diversity-related programming, including news, educational material, documentaries and programmes using or promoting Irish Sign Language. Technologically, the service developed from early black-and-white broadcasts using Ireland’s 625-line standard, with additional 405-line distribution in parts of the country where viewers already received television from Northern Ireland. Colour broadcasting began in 1968, and the broadcaster progressively converted studios and outside-broadcast facilities to colour during the 1970s. RTÉ One later became available through terrestrial digital television, satellite, cable and online streaming. RTÉ One HD launched in 2013, with native high-definition programming introduced later that year. The standard-definition service was subsequently withdrawn on selected platforms, and the channel became HD-only on Sky in 2024. A one-hour timeshift service, RTÉ One +1, launched in 2011 and later expanded its distribution through cable, terrestrial and Sky platforms. RTÉ One is available to most of the Irish population on the Saorview digital terrestrial network, and it is also carried in Northern Ireland through a combination of Saorview, Freeview, satellite and cable arrangements. Viewers can access its programming online through RTÉ Player. The channel remains active and is operated as part of RTÉ’s television portfolio rather than as an independent corporation.
History
RTÉ One traces its origins to Telefís Éireann, which began service on 31 December 1961. The launch created a domestic television service for the Republic of Ireland at a time when audiences in parts of the island could also receive BBC and ITV transmissions from Northern Ireland. Early broadcasts used black-and-white television and the European 625-line standard. In areas where 405-line receivers were already common, the service also supported 405-line transmission through standards-conversion equipment. The technical limitations of the period shaped both the geographic reach and production practices of the new broadcaster. One of the earliest programmes recorded for the service was The School Around the Corner, an interview and quiz format created and presented by Paddy Crosbie and produced by James Plunkett. During its first years, Telefís Éireann developed a broad public-service remit, including news, education, Irish-language material, entertainment, sport and coverage of civic life. The service was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966 when the responsible broadcasting authority adopted the Radio Telefís Éireann name. Colour television was introduced progressively. PAL colour transmissions began in 1968, and John Hume’s Derry is identified as the first programme made and transmitted in colour by the service. The first RTÉ television outside broadcast in colour was the 1971 Railway Cup Finals, followed soon afterward by the Eurovision Song Contest staged in Dublin. RTÉ’s Television Centre converted its studios in stages: the news studio in 1974, Studio 2 in 1975 and the principal Studio 1 in 1976. These changes expanded the production capacity for studio entertainment, news and live events. RTÉ Television was Ireland’s only domestic television channel until RTÉ2 began full service in 1978. The original service consequently adopted the RTÉ 1 identity, later stylised as RTÉ One. The arrival of RTÉ2 created an internal division between the flagship general-interest service and a second channel with a different programming profile. Competition also increased as cable and satellite services became widely used in Ireland, as TG4 emerged in 1996, and as TV3—now associated with Virgin Media Television—entered the Irish market in 1998. RTÉ One continued to compete for national audiences while retaining its public-service obligations. Broadcast hours expanded over time. The channel initially operated from late afternoon or early evening until late at night; schedules were extended during the 1970s, and continuous broadcasting became possible by the late 1990s. A lunchtime news bulletin was introduced in 1988. The service has also carried major political and national events, including Irish elections, budgets, referendums and significant Northern Irish political developments. Its news and current-affairs output is supplied principally by RTÉ News and Current Affairs. The channel’s remit has included Irish-language, educational, regional and diversity programming. Irish-language initiatives have included Buntús Cainte, Turas Teanga, Nuacht RTÉ and documentary strands such as Leargás, Scannal and CSÍ. Programmes addressing multicultural Ireland and accessibility have also appeared, including Mono and Hands On, the latter using Irish Sign Language and subtitles. Nationwide has served as a prominent regional and community-focused programme, while drama and factual series have represented changing aspects of Irish society. Digital distribution became increasingly important in the twenty-first century. RTÉ One +1 launched on 27 May 2011 as a timeshift service. RTÉ One HD launched on 21 October 2013, initially using upscaled material, with native HD broadcasts beginning on 16 December 2013. The channel’s HD distribution expanded across terrestrial, cable and satellite platforms. In 2024, the standard-definition Sky feed ended after the HD channel became available to Sky viewers in Northern Ireland. RTÉ One is also distributed through Saorview, other television platforms and RTÉ Player, preserving its role as the principal general-interest television service within RTÉ’s portfolio.
- 2024
Sky distribution becomes HD-only
[1]After HD availability expands to Northern Ireland, RTÉ One’s standard-definition Sky feed is discontinued.
- 2013
RTÉ One HD launches
[1]The HD service launches in October, with native high-definition broadcasts introduced in December.
- 2011
RTÉ One +1 launches
[1]A timeshift companion service begins broadcasting, initially sharing capacity with RTÉjr for part of its schedule.
- 1978
RTÉ 1 identity introduced
[1]The original RTÉ television service is renamed RTÉ 1 after RTÉ2 launches.
- 1968
Colour broadcasting begins
[1]RTÉ starts PAL colour transmissions and progressively converts its production facilities.
- 1966
Service renamed RTÉ Television
[1]The channel adopts the RTÉ Television identity following the reorganisation and renaming of its parent broadcasting authority.
- 1961
Telefís Éireann begins broadcasting
[1]Ireland’s first domestic television service operated by the national broadcaster begins transmission on 31 December.
Products and positioning
Ireland’s flagship public-service television channel, combining national news, Irish culture, entertainment and broad-audience programming with limited commercial advertising.
Public-service television channel · 1961
RTÉ One
The main RTÉ television service, offering national and international news, current affairs, entertainment, drama, comedy, sport, documentaries, Irish-language material, films and major live events. It is distributed through Saorview, satellite, cable and RTÉ Player, with HD transmission now central to its platform strategy.
High-definition television service · 2013
RTÉ One HD
The high-definition version of RTÉ One launched in 2013. It initially carried a mixture of upscaled and native HD material while RTÉ converted studios and production workflows. The HD feed has progressively replaced standard-definition distribution across platforms.
Timeshift television channel · 2011
RTÉ One +1
A delayed version of RTÉ One that allows viewers to watch much of the channel’s schedule one hour later. It launched in 2011 and later expanded to satellite and cable distribution; it began 24-hour broadcasting in 2019.
Controversies
2023
RTÉ payments controversy
Undisclosed payment arrangements and related reporting issues involving former presenter Ryan Tubridy led to public controversy, governmental scrutiny, investigations and changes in RTÉ leadership and governance. The controversy concerned RTÉ as an organisation, including its television operations, rather than a specific RTÉ One programme.
Brand decisions
2013
Launch of RTÉ One HDProduct launchBackground
RTÉ sought to modernise its television distribution and production facilities as high-definition viewing became standard across the Irish television market.
Action taken
RTÉ introduced an HD version of RTÉ One in October 2013 and began native HD transmissions in December of that year.
Aftermath
The service was progressively expanded across terrestrial, cable and satellite platforms, while older standard-definition feeds were later withdrawn on some platforms.
2011
Launch of RTÉ One +1Product launchBackground
RTÉ planned a delayed general-interest service to give audiences additional flexibility and make use of shared digital capacity.
Action taken
RTÉ launched RTÉ One +1 on 27 May 2011, initially with restricted hours and shared channel capacity.
Aftermath
The service was subsequently distributed through cable and Sky and moved to 24-hour broadcasting in 2019.
Sources3 sources
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