RTÉ has announced its highly anticipated new year schedule, blending beloved favourites with a slate of fresh documentaries that promise new perspectives on Irish life. The lineup signals a confident mix of long-running hits and investigative storytelling designed to captivate audiences across the island and beyond. Here’s what viewers can expect as the year begins.
New Series: On the Beat returns with unprecedented access
One of the standout titles in the early 2025 schedule is On the Beat, which returns for another six-month run from January 5. This series will take audiences into the daily realities of An Garda Síochána, providing unprecedented access to police work across counties Limerick, Monaghan and Waterford. For fans of documentary storytelling and public-service narratives, the new episodes promise a closer look at the challenges and decisions faced by frontline officers, with behind-the-scenes moments and testimony from officers and communities alike.
What makes On the Beat timely
With public interest in policing, community safety, and transparency at a high, On the Beat serves as a timely reminder of the complexities of modern law enforcement in Ireland. The six-month format allows the series to chart patterns, respond to breaking incidents, and explore how Gardaí build trust with diverse neighborhoods. Viewers can expect thoughtful journalism, careful editing, and compelling storytelling that respects the realities of policing while shedding light on daily patrols, investigations, and community outreach.
Other familiar favourites: comfort and continuity on screen
In addition to On the Beat, RTÉ’s new year schedule honours familiar favourites that have resonated with audiences in previous years. Returning shows are curated to offer comfort viewing, alongside moments of surprise as new episodes or special editions air. This balance between dependable programming and fresh installments helps RTÉ retain a broad audience—from long-time fans to new viewers discovering Ireland’s public broadcaster.
New documentaries: exploring Irish life and landscapes
Beyond policing-focused programming, the lineup includes new documentaries that map Ireland’s social, cultural, and regional landscapes. The documentaries aim to illuminate issues of national importance, celebrate local stories, and foster a sense of shared experience. Audiences can anticipate thoughtful reporting, intimate interviews, and immersive storytelling that bring Irish communities to life on screen.
What viewers should know
RTÉ’s January schedule emphasizes accessibility and relevance: episodes will air at standard prime viewing times, with options for catch-up via RTÉ Player. The slate mirrors RTÉ’s mission to inform, entertain, and reflect Irish life while offering new angles on familiar topics. With On the Beat anchoring the lineup and a selection of new documentaries, the year promises a dynamic mix of investigative reporting and human-interest stories.
Why this matters for Irish audiences
The combination of tutelage in public service journalism and access to everyday policing stories signals a renewed commitment to transparency and storytelling that resonates with viewers. For families, commuters, and enthusiasts of documentary cinema, RTÉ’s schedule is designed to create shared viewing experiences, spark conversations, and provide insight into the realities that shape Irish communities across counties Limerick, Monaghan, Waterford, Cork, and beyond.
As RTÉ rolls out the new year lineup, audiences are encouraged to tune in for the premieres and to explore the full range of programming available on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. This season’s blend of familiar favourites and innovative documentaries aims to entertain, inform, and connect Ireland’s diverse audiences through powerful storytelling.
