RTÉjr
RTÉjr is an Irish free-to-air children's television channel operated by state-owned broadcaster RTÉ. The channel mainly targets a demographic of 2- to 7-year-olds, but some cartoons for older children also air. The channel is part of RTÉ KIDS.[1]
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| Country | Ireland |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Ireland Northern Ireland |
| Headquarters | Donnybrook, Dublin |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English Irish |
| Picture format | 576i 16:9 (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Raidió Teilifís Éireann |
| Sister channels | RTÉ One RTÉ2 RTÉ News |
| History | |
| Launched | 20 September 2010 (programming block) 27 May 2011 (simulcast channel) 15 April 2013 (stand-alone channel) |
| Links | |
| Website | rte |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Saorview | Channel 17 |
| Streaming media | |
| Virgin TV Anywhere | Watch live (Ireland only) |
| RTÉ Player | Watch live (available depending on rights) |
The channel broadcasts 12 hours of programming each day between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm.[2] It is supported by radio station RTÉ Junior and additional services available on-demand, on mobile and online.[2] The channel operates alongside its sister strand TRTÉ on RTÉ2.
History
RTÉjr was initially a programming block on public service broadcaster RTÉ2, launching on 20 September 2010, replacing Den Tots.[3]
RTÉ planned on launching a television channel dedicated to RTÉjr; it launched on 27 May 2011, at 11:00 (IST). The channel does not carry advertising, in line with the broadcaster's policy not to target advertising towards those under 6 years of age.
By April 2013, the channel began a stand-alone schedule; however, plans to replace the RTÉjr block on RTÉ2 have yet to come to light. The channel broadcasts as a stand-alone channel with its own schedule and new programming.[4]
Availability
The channel is available to 98% of television viewers in Ireland through Saorview. The channel became available on Virgin Media Ireland on channel 600 on 15 March 2012[5] and on Sky Ireland on channel 624 (635 in NI) on 15 April 2013. The channel's programming can be viewed internationally through its on-demand service, mobile services and website.[2]
Programming
The channel has a wide range of domestically produced programming, either in-studio programming or animations. Its flagship programme is hosted by former Six member Emma O'Driscoll, Muireann NiChiobhain, Clara Murray and their puppet friends Séamus the dog and Bláithín the flower fairy. The channel has a strong focus on inclusive programming with a mix of programming in Irish, English and Irish Sign Language.[6]
On 3 May 2011,[7][8] RTÉjr broadcast Punky, the world's first animated series which focuses on the life and adventures of a girl with Down syndrome.[7] The show is broadcast daily at 10:25 and 13:45. It was designed by award-winning Irish animation company Monster Animation and Design.[9]
On 15 April 2013 the channel hosted 14 newly commissioned programmes, including the bilingual show Spraoi, the dance show Move It! and RTÉjr Workshop.
Original programming
- Abadas
- Alva's World
- Ar Mbia Ar Sli
- Atom Town[10]
- Bing Bunny
- Body Brothers
- Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese
- Circle Square
- Critters TV
- The Curious World of Professor Fun and Dr Dull
- Dig in Diner
- Dizzy Deliveries[11]
- Donncha's Two Talented
- Fia's Fairies[12]
- Fluffy Gardens
- Garth and Bev
- Happy the Hoglet[13]
- The Imagination Machine
- Kiva Can Do
- Magical Sites
- Makers
- Mya Go
- Nelly & Nora
- Odo
- Ollie
- Pablo
- Paddles! The Huggable Polar Bear
- Pins and Nettie
- Puffin Rock
- Punky
- Ray of Sunshine[14]
- Royals Next Door
- Shutterbugs
- Simon Says[15]
- Storytime
- The Day Henry Met..?
- The Wee Littles [16]
- Tilly and Friends
- Twigin
- Zara World
- Zig and Zag
Acquired programming
- The Adventures of Junior Bear
- Angelina Ballerina
- Balamory
- Bluey
- Bob the Builder
- Brave Bunnies
- Chuggington
- Claude
- Danger Mouse
- Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood
- Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed!
- Dog Loves Books
- Ella the Elephant
- Everything's Rosie
- Eskimo Girl
- Fireman Sam
- Garden Tales
- Go Jetters
- Grace's Amazing Machines
- Hey Duggee
- Inis SpraoiI Want a Pet
- JoJo & Gran Gran
- Jungle Beat: Munki and Trunk
- Kate and Mim-Mim
- Katie Morag
- Lifeboat Luke
- Lily's Driftwood Bay
- Love Monster
- Mike the Knight
- Molang
- Moon and Me
- Mr Bloom's Nursery
- My Pet and Me
- My World Kitchen
- Neverbored
- Nina and the Neurons
- The Numtums
- The Octonauts
- Our Seaside
- Out and About
- PAW Patrol
- Peppa Pig (original and Irish dub)
- Pip Ahoy!
- Pirata and Capitano
- Rainbow Butterfly, Unicorn Kitty
- Remy & Boo
- Ricky Zoom
- Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?
- Shaun the Sheep
- Show Me Show Me
- SwashBuckle Pirates
- The Game Catchers[17]
- Thomas & Friends
- Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go
- The Travels of the Young Marco Polo
- Tree Fu Tom
- What's Your Game
- Wild Kratts
- Wild Things
- Wildernuts
- Woohoo Splash!
- Yakka Dee
Upcoming programming
- Sullivan Sails (TBA 2023)[18]
References
- "RTÉ Kids". RTÉ.ie. 6 November 2021.
- Burke, Elaine (10 April 2013). "RTÉjr to become dedicated cross-platform kids' channel on 15 April". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- "RTÉ overhauls children's TV schedule". The Irish Times. 9 September 2010.
- "No children's TV on RTÉ 2 from next month". Newstalk. 10 March 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- "UPC forges ahead with new content from RTÉ" (PDF). UPC Ireland. 13 March 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- "Signing now available on RTÉjr". RTÉ. 21 November 2014.
- "RTÉ launches new animation series Punky". RTÉ News. 28 April 2011.
- "'Punky' and 'Gumball' Arrive on TV Screens". IFTN. 28 April 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- "Monster Animation". Monster Animation. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- BRAND NEW: Atom Town #ScienceWeek | Theme Song 🎵 | Science for Kids | @RTÉjr. RTÉjr. 7 November 2022. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via YouTube.
- NEW: Dizzy Deliveries 🚚 | Trailer | STARTS 19th October | Weekdays On RTÉjr & RTÉ Player | @RTÉjr. RTÉjr. 13 October 2022. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via YouTube.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amHH84Nhxul
- BRAND NEW: Happy the Hoglet 😃🦔 | Theme Song 🎵 | Starts Monday 14th November | @RTÉjr. RTÉjr. 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via YouTube.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuYA1RvvZnA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUZK3acZWJQ
- The Wee Littles | Intro & Theme Song 🪱✨🎵 |@RTÉjr. RTÉjr. 23 November 2022. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via YouTube.
- https://kidscreen.com/2023/01/17/bbc-pick-ups-the-game-catchers-for-cbeebies/
- https://www.distilleryfilms.ie/986-2/
