BREAKING: RTÉ and tv3 to combine forces for tv current affairs programmes

In a soon to be released joint statement RTÉ and tv3 will say that agreement has been reached between them following extensive talks with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to combine all resources on current affairs programmes. The new arrangement is due to be launched with the autumn schedules.

Sorry, I’ve no link as yet and details are scant, but I understand that:
* all studio-based current affairs programmes on the two channels will be combined;
* a working title for the new programme is the resurrected RTÉ title of 7 Days;
* 7 Days will incorporate Frontline, Prime Time, Tonight with Vincent Browne, and The Week In Politics;
* 7 Days will broadcast on both RTÉ and tv3 every night starting at 22:00hrs and last for about an hour and a quarter until 23:15hrs;
* it is not known who the ‘anchor’ for 7 Days will be, but it is a toss up between Miriam O’Callaghan and Vincent Browne;
* although not finalised the programme is expected to start with filmed reports, followed by studio discussions with other slots interrupting;
* it is expected that Miriam O’Callagan and Richard Crowley will continue interviewing Ministers, Ministers of State, Leaders and Deputy Leaders of political parties while Vincent Browne will interview the rest;
* a new vox pop slot, widely tipped to be presented by Seán O’Rourke, will interview members of the public on the street about their views on all austerity measures and on progress on the euro bailout;
* the mornings newspapers slot will be retained - widely favoured to be reading the newspapers is Pat Kenny;
* still under discussion is a controversial plan to end the programme each night with a 5-minute slot called Prayer for the Night. The Irish Times, Patsy McGarry, is widely tipped for this slot should it go ahead.

The main reason given for this combination is in an effort to reduce production costs by both channels.

So what do you think? Is it something we can look forward to in the autumn? … Will it strengthen current affairs programming or just have the opposite effect? …

Details to be posted: Media Releases « Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Frontline to be presented by the cast of Tallafornia?

this does'nt sound good

Please not Miriam, please not Miriam.....

it is not known who the ‘anchor’ for 7 Days will be, but it is a toss up between Miriam O’Callaghan and Vincent Browne;

Miriam O'Callaghan is going to toss Vincent Browne? I'm not sure I could watch that.

You put in a lot of detail into it too Norman. What make it not credible for me was the lack of mention of Pat Kenny.

Originally Posted by off with their heads

this does'nt sound good

It sounds like the Govt getting all their ducks in a row. not good at all.

I've deleted my previous post - I want to see how this plays out

Out of the blocks early this year