Newstalk announces weekday schedule reshuffle for February 2026
Newstalk has unveiled a major reshuffle to its weekday schedule set to take effect from Tuesday, 3 February 2026. In a move designed to refresh the lineup and consolidate a strong afternoon presence, Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman will relocate from the traditional breakfast slot to the drivetime slot, co-hosting The Hard Shoulder from 4pm to 7pm.
The decision, described by network insiders as a strategic realignment, aims to better capture drive-time listenership with a dynamic conversation format and a broader range of topics. Kelly and Coleman have long been noted for their on-air chemistry and ability to steer lively discussions, features that Newstalk believes will translate well to the post-work audience.
What this means for listeners
For regular listeners, the changes promise a more consistent afternoon program with a distinctive tone. The Hard Shoulder has historically attracted audiences looking for robust debate, practical analysis, and a mix of news, politics, business, and social issues. Kelly and Coleman’s move into this slot is framed by the station as an evolution, not a replacement, of the breakfast rhythm that many listeners are accustomed to.
Additionally, the reshuffle opens up the breakfast hours for other presenters, allowing opportunities for fresh voices in the morning, while preserving continuity for listeners who rely on the station’s daytime news cadence. The decision follows a period of internal assessments and audience feedback aimed at strengthening Newstalk’s core offer in a competitive Irish radio landscape.
The hard shoulder ondrive-time: why this slot?
Driving audiences home in the late afternoon is a prime listening window, and The Hard Shoulder’s format is well-suited to that timing. With Kelly’s incisive interviewing style and Coleman’s experience in navigating current affairs, the program is positioned to deliver timely updates, engaging debates, and a blend of light, human-interest segments alongside hard-hitting analysis.
Several industry observers note that the move aligns with broader trends in radio consumption, where drive-time slots benefit from a strong host pair that can manage rapid-fire conversations while keeping listeners engaged through variety segments, expert guests, and listener interaction.
Who remains on the roster and what’s changing elsewhere
While Kelly and Coleman shift to The Hard Shoulder, other members of Newstalk’s weekday lineup will be positioned to fill the gaps and maintain continuity across the day. The station has not announced wholesale overhauls to its morning or evening programming, suggesting a targeted adjustment designed to bolster the afternoon slot while protecting established audience habits at different times of day.
Listeners should expect updated schedules on the Newstalk app and website, with revised show rundowns and on-air booking details published ahead of the February 3 start date. Regulars may also notice promotional material and social media activity prioritizing the new drivetime pairing as the program takes shape.
Industry context: Irish radio in early 2026
The reshuffle comes amid a period of evolution for Irish radio, where broadcasters are balancing traditional talk formats with evolving audience preferences and digital integration. For Newstalk, the move to reposition Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman in drivetime could help deepen listener loyalty during peak listening hours while also encouraging cross-promotion across network platforms, podcasts, and online clips.
What to watch next
Fans and media watchers should pay attention to how the new drivetime dynamic develops, including guest lineups, listener engagement initiatives, and the balance of news versus lighter content. As with any schedule change, the proof will be in audience reaction, ratings performance, and the program’s ability to attract new listeners while retaining existing ones.
In summary, Newstalk’s February 2026 schedule shift represents a strategic bet on a proven on-air duo in a high-traffic time slot. If the new format resonates with drive-time listeners, The Hard Shoulder with Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman could become a defining feature of the station’s weekday lineup in the coming year.
