A new dedicated digital children’s channel on TV, radio, online and mobile has been launched by RTÉ.
RTÉjr was launched by Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald, RTÉ Director-General Noel Curran and Head of Children’s Content Sheila de Courcy.
"I am delighted to launch RTÉjr and would like to compliment RTÉ on this wonderful initiative,” Minister Fitzgerald said.
“We talk a lot about cherishing our children; and what an innovative way to do so by the development of this dedicated service for children in Ireland.”
RTÉ Director-General Noel Curran said: "The launch of RTÉjr on multiple platforms re-affirms children's and young people's content as a core public-service priority for RTÉ.
"While it has been a challenge, financially, to deliver within existing resources, I believe RTÉ has risen to the task.
“Now, parents and guardians in Ireland will have the dedicated children's service that they should expect from a national broadcaster.”
The new service, aimed at 0-7 year olds, is part of a phased three-year strategy in the development of services for young people by RTÉ.
An entirely non-commercial service, RTÉjr will allow children to watch, listen and play with brand new channels on television (on Sky, UPC and SAORVIEW) and digital radio from around 7am-7pm daily, as well as online and mobile services, allowing children to access original, entertaining and educational content that reflects their lives and is made especially for them.
The launch will see RTÉ increasing its daily children's content on television and radio to around 34 hours per day in addition to online and mobile content.
RTÉjr Television will feature 14 newly commissioned programme strands, while RTÉjr Radio will have a brand-new schedule from 7am - 7pm.
Complementing the RTÉjr TV and radio channels, RTÉ will also launch a new and refreshed suite of digital platforms.
Children will be able to watch, listen and play on the RTÉjr website or the new RTÉjr app, as well as catching up with over 40 hours of children's content on RTÉ Player every day.
