RTÉjr to be further developed in early 2013

The Cush

In a mid-Dec press release on the appointment of Sheila de Courcy as Cross-Divisional Head of Children's Content, RTÉ said the following

Early next year RTÉjr , the Under 7's service, will be further developed across three platforms to include a dedicated digital television channel for Under 7s, ...

http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2012/1219/359718-sheila-de-courcy-is-cross-divisional-head-of-childrens-content/

Probably Phase 2 (originally planned for May 2011) which was indicated during the new channels consultation process from late 2010

In Phase Two, investment in technology and infrastructure will enable the creation of a unique looped schedule for this service running from 0700 to 1900 and will enable RTÉ to broaden the service to weekends.
...

Crossover with RTÉ Two in Phase Two: RTÉ Two (ATT) and RTÉ Two HD Select will run a two hour RTÉjr schedule from 0900 to 1100 and this will by followed by the TRTÉ schedule (for 7-15 year olds) which will run from 1400 to 1900. On this basis there will be a two hour overlap between RTÉ Two and RTEjr, during which time cross-promotions can direct people to RTÉjr from 1100 onwards and services to younger and older children will be maintained at appropriate times of day.

marclt

Let's hope someone can actually update the EPG to accurately reflect what programmes are being broadcast and which time. It's still showing programmes are on at 6pm when the channel has actually closed.

Sam Russell

marclt wrote: »

Let's hope someone can actually update the EPG to accurately reflect what programmes are being broadcast and which time. It's still showing programmes are on at 6pm when the channel has actually closed.

And maybe even mention the channel in the 'RTE Guide'.

The Cush

This was posted over in the Satellite forum earlier

Charles Slane wrote: »

Children's programming will move to RTEjr allowing RTE 2 to show adverts during the day.

Changes take place on April 15th.

Not officially announced by RTÉ yet that I can see. This from the Newstalk website today.

No children's TV on RTE 2 from next month

A new channel called RTEjr will be set up

There will be no children's programmes on RTE 2 from next month instead the State broadcaster is setting up a new designated children's channel.

From April 15th, adult programming will be shown on RTE2 from 11am to 3pm during school term, allowing it to broadcast adverts during the day.

A new channel, called RTEjr will be set up and it will air from 7am to 6.45pm.

I guess they don't realise that the channel has been running for quiet a while now. Also the 07:00-11:00 slot on RTÉ2 will probably continue to carry RTÉjr programming as was the Phase 2 plan for the RTÉ2/ RTÉjr channels.

Sam Russell

I presume they do not mean ADULT programmes, more General Audience.:D

copacetic

Would imagine that story will change once they check their facts, weirdly they even contradict themselves in the same story. There will be 'no children's programming on RTE2' but then adult programmes are only on from '11 to 3'. What's on between 7 and 11 or 3-7, dead air???

Sam Russell

copacetic wrote: »

Would imagine that story will change once they check their facts, weirdly they even contradict themselves in the same story. There will be 'no children's programming on RTE2' but then adult programmes are only on from '11 to 3'. What's on between 7 and 11 or 3-7, dead air???

Do Newstalk actually check their facts? Even RTE ignore any content that is on Saorview only. They have four TV channels but only promote two of them. They do not promote the fact that DAB radio is also on Saorview.

Even an RTE presenters (Sean O'Rouke) was unaware of the existence of RTE News Now at the ASO in October last year. Mind you, in defence, it had only been on the air for two years, and he does work in the news dept so how would he know.

I think that this is down to the fact that most Dublin based journos do not watch Saorview, instead using Sky or UPC. All TV listings are geared towards those two platforms. They all ignore Saorview and Freesat.

icdg

Sam Russell wrote: »

I think that this is down to the fact that most Dublin based journos do not watch Saorview, instead using Sky or UPC. All TV listings are geared towards those two platforms. They all ignore Saorview and Freesat.

Indeed the vast majority of Dublin households would use cable or Sky (historically almost all cable, though this has changed somewhat). However, all of the channels on Saorview are also on UPC with the exception of RTÉ Aertel Digital and RTÉ Gold (neither of which have a "schedule" as such).

Its up to RTÉ to make these listings available - they could start by putting them in their own RTÉ Guide, for instance.

Sam Russell

icdg wrote: »

Indeed the vast majority of Dublin households would use cable or Sky (historically almost all cable, though this has changed somewhat). However, all of the channels on Saorview are also on UPC with the exception of RTÉ Aertel Digital and RTÉ Gold (neither of which have a "schedule" as such).

Its up to RTÉ to make these listings available - they could start by putting them in their own RTÉ Guide, for instance.

A point I have made several times. RTE let themselves down badly by their lack of vision (that is what the T stands for in RTE) and the inward looking view of the world. This is matched by the lack of communication from the Dept of Communications and the constant carping from TV3 about RTE's funding.

I await the re-launch of Saorview anytime soon as the 'new' channels come on stream. [RTE 1HD, RTE News Now and RTEjr.] This will be the fourth time. Only country by-passes get more launches.

So much disappointment and so many missed oportunities.

Rick_

Tests have started for RTÉ Jr on satellite, so expect it on Sky soon.

The Cush

This from today's Weekend supplement in the Irish Independent

RTÉ big hitters to become kids' TV presenters

Several of RTÉ's most established stars are to become children's presenters as part of the national broadcaster's new digital service dedicated to their younger audience, The Diary has learned.

Pat Kenny, Ryan Tudridy, Gráinne Seeoige and Bryan Dobson are just some of the names lined up to host "Tell Me A Story", a series of 70 story-telling programmes that are being rolled out from next month on RTÉjr.

A three-hour looping schedule will be replaced by a new RTÉjr with specific scheduling, due to be launched on April 15.

It is the first phase of a three-year development strategy for provision of services for children.

"Tell Me A Story" is one of 14 commissioned programmes and various anchors including Marty Whelan and Mary Kennedy will recite modern tales, writtenby emerging writers, to camera.

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/rt-big-hitters-to-become-kids-tv-presenters-29133894.html

Also this from RTÉ TEN

RTÉ Two Tube is giving people the opportunity to present the Young People's TV show Two Tube, RTÉ TEN News and to spend a day with RTÉ 2fm's Rick O'Shea.

If you are aged between 12 and 17 with an interest in working in media then you could be in with a chance of winning this fantastic opportunity of a lifetime which is celebrating the launch of RTÉjr Digital channel.

...

http://www.rte.ie/ten/2013/0314/rte_twotube.html

mikom

Pat Kenny, Ryan Tudridy, Gráinne Seeoige and Bryan Dobson are just some of the names lined up to host "Tell Me A Story", a series of 70 story-telling programmes that are being rolled out from next month on RTÉjr.

Original...........

Hotblack Desiato

The Cush wrote: »

"Tell Me A Story" is one of 14 commissioned programmes and various anchors including Marty Whelan and Mary Kennedy...

She taught in the school my wife went to in the 80s, they called her 'Scary Mary'
She is a competent presenter but devoid of any human warmth or feeling, disastrous for kids tv.

The Cush

Another article on this

On 15 April RTÉ will launch RTÉjr, a brand new designated children’s digital channel available across TV, radio, online and mobile.

Created specifically for children aged 0 - 7 years, RTÉjr will be available on television (on Sky, UPC and Saorview) and radio from around 7am-7pm daily as well as online and mobile, allowing children to access original, entertaining and educational content that reflects their lives and is made especially for them.

...

According to RTE, the launch of RTÉjr is "part of a three-year RTÉ strategy for the provision of services to children."

Delivered from existing resources, the launch on 15 April will see RTÉ broadcasting 34 hours per day of children's content on television and radio in addition to online and mobile content.

http://businessandleadership.com/marketing/item/40330-rte-to-launch-new/

The Cush

Advert for the "new" RTÉjr channel (starting on April 15th at 07:00) during a break in The Late Late Show tonight.

Saorview epg# 7, UPC epg# 600, Sky no epg# indicated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bek4oXMiEVM

Hotblack Desiato

Caption says launch no.2 of Saorview, they're not keeping up :pac:

Disappointing but not surprising that out of 3 methods of reception, 2 of which involve paying for free channels, Saorview is listed last.

The Cush

ninja900 wrote: »

Caption says launch no.2 of Saorview, they're not keeping up :pac:

RTÉ jr Launch #2

watty

RTE need to sack 1/2 the managers, all the top management and all their "Personalities". Get some vision.
Save money by closing DAB and the extra stations on it.
Put all Radio RTE1 music on 2FM along with phone ins and make RTE1 Radio be advert free proper PSB station
Product CONTENT for RTE Television (other than soaps or badly done News/Documentary).

Or else take all the Licence money, RTE1 Radio, Lyric FM RTE News, RTE Jr, RTE+1 off them and give them to TG4 and have RTE purely as commercial Station and TG4 as our PSB with 2 English channels, 1 Irish channel and 24 news with english and Irish audio channels. And 3 Radio (all radio advert free, Former Lyric, RTE1 and Rnag).

RTE need reformed. They destroyed the TV installer industry with how they managed ASO/DSO, had no sensible partnership or Consumer interaction on TV sales (People sold "dumped" UK sets). They have rubbish overpaid Presenters "billed" as Celebrities. Their Children and young people TV is appalling.

They do more to market Pay TV than FTA.

No wonder 82% of people have pay TV and we have huge BBC Radio listening compared to anywhere else outside UK, despite the difficulty of reception.

Elmo

Shouldn't this be in Broadcasting???

Some of the blame should be also laid at the door of the BAI and the Civil Servants at DCERN and the lobby groups.

RTÉjr phase 2 is too late when you consider that RTÉ 1 +1 phase 2 was not allowed. Not to mention what I would consider an ill conceived set of shows to replace RTÉjr on RTÉ TWO.

Unfortunately Watty I have to agree, but I'd do it a little differently.

The Cush

2 page article on the "launch" of RTÉjr next Mon in the latest issue of the RTÉ Guide.

The RTÉjr schedule has been added to the fourth page of the daily listings from next Sat together with the Saorview and UPC epg nos. No Sky epg no. included.

Digiguide hasn't carried listings for the channel since Fri 29th March and they reappear on Sat 20th April.

RTÉ2 continues to carry children's programming in the 11.00-15.00 slot from April 15th albeit with a different schedule.

Elmo

The Cush wrote: »

2 page article on the "launch" of RTÉjr next Mon in the latest issue of the RTÉ Guide.

The RTÉjr schedule has been added to the fourth page of the daily listings from next Sat together with the Saorview and UPC epg nos. No Sky epg no. included.

Digiguide hasn't carried listings for the channel since Fri 29th March and they reappear on Sat 20th April.

RTÉ2 continues to carry children's programming in the 11.00-15.00 slot from April 15th albeit with a different schedule.

TRTÉ remains on RTÉ TWO no real surprise in that. Hence 11 to 3 slot though I would have expected TRTÉ to run from 11 to 13 and from 15 to 17:30.

The Cush

Elmo wrote: »

TRTÉ remains on RTÉ TWO no real surprise in that. Hence 11 to 3 slot though I would have expected TRTÉ to run from 11 to 13 and from 15 to 17:30.

See post #4 in this thread and RTÉ's submission to the Dept on the new channels.

The 11:00 to 15:00 slot on RTÉ2 is planned to carry lifestyle and drama programming with advertising during school term followed by TRTÉ from 15:00

galtee boy

I thought that the reason RTE Junior was set up, was to free up RTE2 during the day for normal/non children's programmes ? So now we have two children's channels during the day, RTE Junior for the toddlers and RTE2 for older children/young teenagers !

The Cush

galtee boy wrote: »

I thought that the reason RTE Junior was set up, was to free up RTE2 during the day for normal/non children's programmes?

That was the plan, it'll probably take time to develop the new RTÉ2 daytime schedule.

To avoid significant simulcasting of content for young children (0-6
years) on RTEjr and RTÉ Two, during Phase Two of RTÉjr, home-produced
lifestyle and some acquired drama will be scheduled on RTÉ Two from 11am
to 2pm which will complement the adult programming scheduled on RTÉ
One.

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

Advert for the "new" RTÉjr channel (starting on April 15th at 07:00) during a break in The Late Late Show tonight.

Saorview epg# 7, UPC epg# 600, Sky no epg# indicated.

Since yesterday the latest advert for the launch of RTÉjr on Mon is now showing the Sky epg nos. - 624 in the RoI and 535 in NI.

Why different epg positions for north and south?
Doesn't Animal Planet have epg# 535?

Hotblack Desiato

The mrs. wants to know if the relaunch will fix the EPG being always wrong problem!

Also the random cutoff time in the evening. The other night they stopped halfway through Fireman Sam, this did not go down well...

The Cush

ninja900 wrote: »

The mrs. wants to know if the relaunch will fix the EPG being always wrong problem!

Also the random cutoff time in the evening. The other night they stopped halfway through Fireman Sam, this did not go down well...

I believe the relaunch fixes the epg problem as they now regard it as proper channel with matching schedule. As I mentioned above the latest issue of the RTÉ Guide includes the daily listing for the channel from Sat. Also Digiguide has been updated with the listings for the channel starting on Mon morning.

Don't know about the random cutoff time in the evening but if it happens again maybe an email to make them aware of the problem. According to the Digiguide schedule, programming finishes at 18:41 each evening incl. weekends.

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

Since yesterday the latest advert for the launch of RTÉjr on Mon is now showing the Sky epg nos. - 624 in the RoI and 535 in NI.

Why different epg positions for north and south?
Doesn't Animal Planet have epg# 535?

Error in the advert it appears, RTÉjr in NI is allocated epg#635 in the Sky programme guide and not 535 as was advertised.

From today's Irish Times

RTÉjr is on Saorview channel 7, UPC channel 600 and Sky channel 624 in the Republic and 635 in Northern Ireland from 7am to 7pm, when each day’s programming will wrap up with the channel song, What’s Your Thing? by Octonauts composer Darren Hendley.

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/rt%C3%A9-launches-dedicated-channel-for-the-toughest-crowd-of-all-kids-1.1360630

From RTÉ today
RTÉjr launches new digital channel
Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald Launches RTÉjr

The Cush

galtee boy wrote: »

I thought that the reason RTE Junior was set up, was to free up RTE2 during the day for normal/non children's programmes ? So now we have two children's channels during the day, RTE Junior for the toddlers and RTE2 for older children/young teenagers !

The Cush wrote: »

That was the plan, it'll probably take time to develop the new RTÉ2 daytime schedule.

This from the Irish Times article on the future of children's programming on RTÉ2

The future of children’s programming on RTÉ Two has yet to be finalised, but it is likely that the mid-morning shows aimed at the younger RTÉjr audience will lose their place.

“We haven’t fully worked through our schedules yet,” says Killane, but it wouldn’t be “value for money” for the mid-morning schedule on RTÉ Two to overlap with that of RTÉjr, he notes.

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/rt%C3%A9-launches-dedicated-channel-for-the-toughest-crowd-of-all-kids-1.1360630

The Cush

The phase 2 relaunch of RTÉjr is part of a 3 year development plan for children's programming according to RTÉ. The next part of the plan will concentrate on teenage programming.

This morning, RTÉ officially launches RTÉjr, the broadcaster’s new dedicated, commercial-free children’s channel aimed at children up to seven, as part of its three-year strategy to develop young people’s programming.

...

Next phase

The next phase of RTÉ’s plan for younger audiences will concentrate on teenagers. Killane describes the teenage audience as “one of the trickiest”, while De Courcy says broadcasters are often “very exploitative” of this age group.

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/rt%C3%A9-launches-dedicated-channel-for-the-toughest-crowd-of-all-kids-1.1360630

galtee boy

No sign of it on Sky yet, I presume it will show up in the normal new channel launch time of somewhere between 10.30am and 11.30am, that Sky seem to use.

The Cush

galtee boy wrote: »

No sign of it on Sky yet, I presume it will show up in the normal new channel launch time of somewhere between 10.30am and 11.30am, that Sky seem to use.

Had a look a few minutes ago and it's there.

The Cush

http://www.cream.ie/rtejr/index.html

icdg

The Cush wrote: »

http://www.cream.ie/rtejr/index.html

Oh dear god. That site is way too busy for my liking (and trying to be Windows 8 at that). The actual RTEjr website (http://www.rte.ie/rtejr/) isn't so bad. Its great to see a unique Saorview service finally being offered, or at least being promoted.

However, there's no sign of RTÉ Two getting its daytime hours back as of yet, and TRTÉ really needs some work - outside of News2day and Elev8 it appears to to be almost 100% Disney and Nickelodeon shows now - shows from other sources (including UK) seem to be a thing of the past. Maybe this is an indication of how things have changed in the market since I was a kid - what was Children's ITV seems to have gone to nothing now.