Earlier this year, Claire Byrne shocked the nation when she announced that she would be stepping down from her current affair show, Claire Byrne Live.
Viewers have been patiently waiting for a permanent replacement for the beloved show.
An eight-part panel show, Monday Night Live is currently airing in its stead, but now RTÉ has confirmed that a brand new current affairs programme will be landing on screens in the new year.
And it will be Katie Hannon who is in the hot seat this time.
The new series, Upfront with Katie Hannon will begin in January 2023 on Monday nights.
Each week, Katie will moderate a live programme where the public come face to face with the people whose decisions impact directly on their lives.
The programme will take audiences beyond the headlines of the big stories of the day to those who are living that story. As well as a live studio audience, there will be a wider social audience, where the public can directly engage with the programme live on air.
In tandem with this, Katie will engage throughout the week in a social conversation across digital platforms, where the public can drive the issues that matter to them and the people they would like to see answer their questions. The series will also take to the road with special programmes from across the country.
Speaking about her new role, Katie Hannon said: “’I’ve had the privilege of telling people’s stories in print, on television and on radio over many years now. But I have long believed that the most powerful journalism is where people are allowed to tell their own stories.
“This is about creating a platform where this can happen and where those whose decisions impact on all of our lives are asked to listen; to account for themselves and persuade us that they deserve our trust and support. It will be a place everyone will be given the space to have their say. I can’t wait.”
Katie is no stranger to current affairs as she presented RTÉ Radio 1’s Late Debate and Saturday with Katie Hannon as well as regularly standing in as presenter of Liveline since 2018 and will also continue to present on the station. Prior to that, she reported for RTÉ Prime Time for over 14 years.
However, it has been confirmed that she will step down from her radio shows, with broadcaster Colm Ó Mongáin taking over both Late Debate and Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin from December.
Presenter Colm Ó Mongáin said: “I’m delighted to be getting the opportunity to get behind the mic again and work with the ‘Late Debate’ and ‘Saturday’ teams. It’s a great time to be covering politics in Ireland and further afield and I can’t wait to bring listeners analysis and debate on the issues that affect them.”
Upfront with Katie Hannon will be air on Monday nights at 10.35pm beginning in January on RTÉ One
