Every week we take a look in the RTÉ Guide archives to check out the stories from years gone by. On this week in 1988, RTÉ's second channel RTÉ Two was rebranded and relaunched as Network Two, and in the RTÉ Guide offered an explainer of the new channel.
"Network 2 offers a whole new-look service in terms of scheduling, choice, and target audiences," wrote journalist Linda Kavanagh. "While RTE 1 remains the premier channel, and will continue to fulfil RTE's public service broadcasting responsibilities, Network 2 will have a 'contemporary look', with a strong emphasis on leisure and sports programming, especially at the weekends. Network 2 will offer viewers clearly-defined programme segments - such as sports on Saturday afternoon, and young people's programmes every afternoon from 2 to 6pm.The majority of sports, young people's and Irish language programming, and weekend movies, will move to Network 2...Visually, Network 2 will also have a new look — a stylish identity reflecting the 1990s feel of the channel. And Network 2 presenters will be identified, as far as possible, with their own channel."
The then Head of Programme Services,Television Liam Miller told Kavanagh that in the past RTÉ Two had "'done better than most second channels in both the UK and Europe. In that sense, it hasn't been a failure, but at this stage we had to ask ourselves it that service was relevant to what viewers want today. Through professional research, we discovered that the audience had changed and had different demands. As a result, we set out to supply a service that provides what an audience might expect in the 1990s rather than the 1970s. It's not tabloid TV, but it is certainly responding to some of the choices, demands and lifestyles that this audience has. There will still be opera and classical music on the channel, and a reinforcement of Irish language programmes. After all, our audience is a highly articulate and literate group, with a wide variety of programme demands. But the presentation doesn't have to be stuffy and conservative.
We're not saying that this first schedule ideally meets the needs of this audience group. But this whole initiative has the flexibility to look at itself and change if necessary. Once it's on air, we'll be asking people if they like it, and it not, we'll be finding out why not.
RTE 1's channel identity has also changed. We decided that it was important to look at it too, when making such a major presentational change with the second channel. So RTE 1 will also have a different look, and a slightly different feel. While each channel is intended to serve different needs — they are neither hierarchical nor equal - together they carry RTE'S public service mandate. I believe that today, more than ever before, we are fulfilling that mandate, by offering a wider range of programme choices than ever."
What was on the line-up?
Kavanagh also reported on some of the new shows that would be launched on Network 2.
"NETWORK 2 programmes are aimed at an audience broadly under 35. The midweek late-night chat show Nighthawks will cater for the 25-35 age group, while Jo-Maxi is aimed at the ten-to-fourteens. Both reflect RTE's resolve to retain and even increase — its audience, in the face of existing and new competition.
JO-MAXI
that's rhyming slang for"taxi'. The studio set is a garage, with petrol pumps, bulkhead lighting and a small office. The programme was devised as a result of asking 10-14 year olds what they themselves wanted to see on the box. Young people in studio for the Eureka series last summer completed questionnaires."We discovered that they wanted consumer items," says director Pat Cowap. "They also wanted to know about their counterparts in other countries, so we'll be including profiles of young people abroad. There will also be a regular Max Fax quiz, and a Max Blast spot, where young people themselves can air their views and voice their grievances."
The questionnaire also discovered that young people don't want very young presenters. They are more keen on slightly older presenters with "real" personalities, rather than those who"perform" when on screen. The Jo-Maxi team therefore enlisted the help of two young people - Darren and Victor - when they were selecting the presenters."In the end, their independent choiceswere the same as ours," says Pat.
NIGHTHAWKS
If it's late at night and you're feeling restless, with no place to go, then come on over to Nighthawks.You never know who you might be sitting next to. It might be a demented rock singer, an exotic out-of-town dancer or somebody up for the match.Shay Healy introduces chat and music on Nighthawks, the show with a distinctly off-the-wall flavour.
NO COMMENT is a new six-part documentary co-produced by RTE and the young independent company PictureHouse Productions. Ireland in the 1980s is seemingly on the road to a healthier economy. We are all aware that some people suffer more than others as a result of the cutbacks.The series poses the question are we on the road to a healthier economy and a more unhealthy society? In each programme a range of Irish individuals speak about their lives, their problems and their aspirations. They address the issues that are too often avoided with the phrase "no comment". In the first programme called Smack, four addicts talk about their addiction and the effects it has on their lives. Two former addicts tell us one of the major off-shoots of heroin addiction that has hit intravenous drug users in the last couple of years is AIDS. They tell their story direct to camera, straightforward and honest."
Network Two became RTÉ Two in 2004, a name that was shortened to RTÉ 2 in 2014.
