Cancellation of Kieran Cuddihy’s Late Late Show appearance
The planned appearance of Kieran Cuddihy on Friday night’s Late Late Show has been cancelled after RTÉ received a legal warning from Newstalk. The message indicated that the presenter remains under contract with Newstalk and cannot participate in the show as scheduled.
An RTÉ spokesperson confirmed that Kieran Cuddihy is unable to be a guest on The Late Late Show due to these contractual obligations, but did not elaborate on the specifics of the change in plans. The legal letter from Newstalk to RTÉ also noted that Mr. Cuddihy would be unable to appear on tonight’s broadcast given his existing commitments to the radio station.
Newstalk’s statement reinforced that the broadcaster and Bauer Media have a contractual relationship with the presenter. The station’s spokesperson said promotional material for the Late Late Show prompted Newstalk to inform RTÉ of the outstanding contractual obligations, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Implications for RTÉ and the guest line-up
The decision to pull Mr. Cuddihy from the Late Late Show comes amid RTÉ’s broader schedule shake-up disclosed in the days prior. RTÉ announced that Mr. Cuddihy would be the new presenter of Liveline, a role that was confirmed just hours after Newstalk staff were informed of the exit of the Hard Shoulder’s host. The timing has prompted discussions about RTÉ’s integrated schedule and the network’s approach to high-profile talent transitions.
Additionally, RTÉ confirmed that Mr. Cuddihy will also step back from presenting The Tonight Show on Virgin Media Television during his notice period. This move aligns with RTÉ’s efforts to restructure programming in the wake of leadership changes and talent departures across its audio and television divisions.
What was said by RTÉ and Newstalk
Patricia Monahan, RTÉ’s director of audio, described the application process for the Liveline role as highly competitive, noting that Mr. Cuddihy was among more than 500 applicants. Monahan stressed that the decision to appoint Liveline’s new host followed a rigorous selection process within RTÉ Radio 1, and not a departure from the corporation’s internal options.
A Newstalk spokesperson reiterated that the broadcaster’s contractual obligations required adherence, and that the response to promotional material for the Late Late Show was a necessary precaution to protect those commitments. The exchange underscores the complexity of managing talent across multiple platforms within Ireland’s media landscape.
Context in RTÉ’s recent schedule changes
The late Friday developments come as RTÉ faces broader shifts, including the high-profile exit of Ray D’Arcy from Radio 1. The network described the schedule changes as a large-scale shift designed to realign talent with new opportunities and strategic priorities. While some viewers expressed mixed reactions to the timing, RTÉ emphasized the importance of making principled decisions that reflect contractual realities and long-term programming goals.
In reflecting on the upheaval, officials acknowledged that change is invariably challenging for staff and viewers alike. They stressed that while goodbyes are never easy, the goal remains to maintain quality programming and to identify the best candidates to lead flagship shows in the evolving media environment.
Looking ahead
As RTÉ moves forward with its refreshed roster, the public can expect further announcements about Liveline and other shows. The situation with Kieran Cuddihy highlights the practical realities broadcasters face when contracts and commitments intersect with high-visibility media opportunities.
