The format of the Late Late Show is unlikely to change when its new host has been announced, sources have claimed.
RTE’s Director-General Dee Forbes had suggested there could be changes to the format of the Friday night chat show, after Ryan Tubridy steps down on May 26.
But a well-placed insider gave an insight into the possible changes that could be made but said they don’t believe shortening the more than two-and-a-half-hour show will happen - because the station relies on the revenue.
The TV source said: “The problem is that every transition, it takes a lot of reorganising, there would be a new set probably for the new host, they might recommission music.
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“They might do all sorts of things, but the commercial people will have an input.
“They won’t want it to be shorter than four parts and they might make the parts tighter but they will want to get the revenue. Squeeze as much revenue out of the Late Late Show as much as they can.
“So the likelihood of shortening it dramatically, like taking off a part, would knock away a big chunk of income so that’s not likely to happen.
“They could shorten it by making the whole thing a bit tighter, finishing earlier, never wandering past half 11, maybe even aiming to finish at 11:15pn to make it a tighter show.”
It comes in the wake of Ms Forbes comments last week when she said TV bosses may consider changing the format of the show, in the wake of changes to viewers' attitude when watching TV nowadays.
Speaking to Bryan Dobson on the News At One, she said: “Look, it’s a TV phenomenon and I think you talk to anybody around the word involved in live television and they look at it with eyes wide open wondering how can this happen and again Ryan and Graham Norton regularly talk about this in the UK for example.
“The world has changed. The world when Ryan began 14 years ago is now completely different and we are looking at a lot more fragmented viewing, people are viewing in different ways but the engagement with the Late Late is second to none but again people watching live or watching catch up.
“The way people are watching and listening hasn’t changed and obviously we’ll now sit down and we’ll have a look at what’s next and who is next in that seat.”
Claire Byrne has been tipped to take over – and Miriam O’Callaghan who was also rumoured has ruled herself out of the running.
In a lengthy statement, Miriam said on social media she does not want to give up Prime Time, saying what they do as a current affairs team “really matters”.
"The Late Late Show is an incredible programme," she wrote. "It's not just the jewel in the crown of Irish broadcasting, it's also an institution stitched into the fabric of Irish life. Ryan has done a tremendous job of presenting it for the last 14 years.
"Although the speculation about me being one of the favourites to take over The Late Late Show is very flattering, that won't be happening as I'm not throwing my hat into the ring to be considered."
O'Callaghan went on to explain the reason why she's happy to stay put rather than nominate herself as a candidate for the Late Late gig.
"I love what I do too much on Prime Time to leave it," she insists, "and what we do in current affairs as a team really matters, and can actually change lives."
O'Callaghan did get an opportunity to present The Late Late Show temporarily during the Covid pandemic, making her the first female to host the show.
In her statement, O'Callaghan said: "I’ve been lucky enough to present the iconic Late Late Show twice, and I loved the experience. I wish whoever does go for the job the very best – it’s a brilliant opportunity and very exciting. I also wish my heartiest congratulations in advance to whoever gets it – what a joyous role, enjoy!"
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