State broadcaster RTÉ’s children’s section, RTÉjr, has announced its line-up of programming for the new season.
Donncha’s Two Talented is a brand new family entertainment show hosted by rugby legend Donncha O’Callaghan. Every episode showcases the best of Irish 5 – 9 year olds singing and dancing talent; but there’s a twist…every child star must coax a grown-up to duet with them on the show! Produced by Adare Productions for RTÉ, the show will air on RTÉjr weekdays from next Monday, 8 October, and will also air on RTÉ One from this Saturday.
Also kicking off on RTÉjr next Monday is Let’s Find Out is RTÉjr’s new science series for 5 to 7 year olds. The series is set on the space-ship ‘Curiosity’> – a travelling laboratory captained by alien puppet Zoom, ably assisted by presenter/scientists Mark Langtry and Ciara Murphy. Mark is a physicist and Ciara is a biochemist. Together they explore science questions posed by children. Let’s Find Out is co-funded by RTÉ and Science Foundation Ireland and is produced by stop.watch productions.
Join in the fun-filled world of Peek Zoo, where every day is an adventure. Follow the adventures of zookeeper Mr. Peek (played by actor Michael McElhatton) and his two children, Jimmy and Violet, as they look after the loud colourful animals of Peek Zoo. With a warm and engaging cast of characters, humans and animals, audiences embark on a series of hilarious adventures that will make children laugh, think and learn, with problems to solve and mysteries to unravel. Produced by Igloo Films for RTÉ, with support from BAI and Screen Ireland.
In Wild Kids teams of nature-mad kids join wildlife experts Kealan Doyle, Ciara Dolan, Sarah Sarsfield and John Lusby to explore different habitats up and down the country from coast to city, discovering the plants, animals, bugs and bees that live around us. Produced by GMarshTV.
In Living With A Fairy audiences meet storyteller Jay whose life gets turned upside down when a mysterious fairy comes to live with him and one thing’s for certain Jay’s life will never be the same again. Produced by GMarshTV for pre-schoolers, with support from BAI.
MyaGo is back for more adventures with the Go family and her very best pal Doggy Go. Exploring and discovering the world around her MyaGo can’t wait to show you around her hometown Everyday and Go on loads more adventures! Made by Piranha Bar in Dublin and Motion Pic in Spain with support from Screen Ireland and BAI, Mya Go is an animation series for pre-school children.
abraKIDabra RTÉjr’s magic show is also back for another series. Each week magician Joe Daly performs comedic and mesmerising magic tricks for an animated audience of kids. Joe can also be found in his magic workshop teaching budding magicians a cool new trick. Produced by Macalla Teo.
A new travel series JourneyCam, produced by Dyehouse Films, began in September and viewers can catch its second outing in October. It’s all about the world around us as seen through the eyes and adventures of young children. Filmed by, and featuring children from all over Ireland, JourneyCam takes a closer look at the way the built environment works and the way children interact with the world as they go about their daily journeys.
I am very proud to be associated with the quality and variety of content that our talented independent producers have created for our autumn 2018 schedule. There really is something for everyone – top class animation, high-energy and heart-warming entertainment, science, nature, travel and wonderful comedic storytelling. Programmes that entertain, engage and enthrall. So snuggle up this autumn with RTÉjr!
Suzanne Kelly, Group Head of Children’s and Young People’s Programming – RTÉ