RTjr unveils new schedule across TV, radio and digital

RT jr unveils new schedule across TV, radio and digital

Ground-breaking series giving insight into autism leads off new programming

RT jr today announced its slate of young children's programming for the new season, with documentaries, entertainment, comedy, and nature series across television, radio and digital featuring the stories and diverse experiences of young children from nearly every county in Ireland.

Sheila DeCourcy, RT Group Head of Children's & Channel Controller RT jr, said: Bringing the voices of youngsters to viewers is important to us and this season we are delighted to bring the stories and diverse experiences of young children from nearly every county in Ireland to RT jr on TV, radio, online and mobile. We have a range of programming from documentaries and entertainment to education and drama with a lots of magic thrown in. And now, new features on the free RT jr APP means you and your little ones can enjoy RT jr wherever you are.'

Debuting next Monday on RT jr is Pablo, a ground-breaking new series, featuring a central character and cast who are all on the autism spectrum. A co-production with CBeebies and made with funding support from NI Screen and BAI, Pablo is a 52-episode live action and 2D animation series, which was created and produced by pioneering Belfast production company, Paper Owl Films. Animation services were provided by Kavaleer Productions in Dublin. It tells the story of a five-year-old boy on the autism spectrum who uses his creativity and magic crayons to invent an imaginary Art World filled with animal characters which help him make sense of social situations and process confusing or anxious thoughts and feelings. Pablo is based on the real life experiences of people with autism who contributed to the development and writing teams.

Life outdoors is a key theme on RTEjr this autumn: Filmed in beautiful woodland locations in Antrim, Down and Wicklow, Wildwoods is a new live-action puppet comedy series for 4 to 7 year-olds chronicling the unlikely friendship between a gentle giant sasquatch and a feisty pint-sized sugar glider. Meanwhile, in Mayo, Cork and Sligo, Showtime follows three young families as they prepare their animals for the local agricultural show and to showcase them under the spotlight of local competition. Educational series I'm a Fish will give children the chance to meet 52 different fish and crustaceans living under the sea and in fresh water.

Meanwhile indoors there'll be fun and surprises on new series abraKIDabra, which features magician Joe Daly as he performs magic tricks before a live audience of children and then shows the viewers some of the secrets behind the tricks and how to do the tricks for themselves.

In The One Where Kids Talk! , a new series presented by children with Seamus the Dog, Irish kids give their opinions and advice on life's big questions, saying it exactly how they see it, the unfiltered truth. They comment on today's society through their own stories and offer advice on personal dilemmas to adults. Mr Mender & the Chummyjiggers is a bright and energetic scripted pre-school series which uses storytelling to convey core values of co-operation, sharing, problem solving and self awareness. The documentary series What Makes My Day returns, featuring children from Co Donegal, Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Kildare and Dublin welcoming us into their worlds introducing the people, activities and moments that are important to them.

Across the day, youngsters from all over Ireland give viewers an insight into their world in a new series of KIDSPEAK. Expect adventures in science, all kinds of sports and lots of animals amongst other things in this series of 150 vignettes.

On RT jr radio Short Stories from the Longest River are 12 original stories about the Shannon. From a duckling who saw the river s beginning to the otter who swam with Brian Boru. Stories that are rich in highlighting our cultural heritage and the conservation issues that face the longest river in Ireland. In Ducks Down, children try out one of the games recorded in the Schools' Manuscript Collection 80 years ago and give their verdict. Is there any chance that they might bin the batteries and switch off the screens in favor of playing Ducks Down and other games? On the new six part series Sports Special Patrick O'Reilly (11, from Dublin) meets a different Irish sports person each week and asks them about their training routines and the sacrifices they made as kids to reach their full potential. Patrick will interview athletes and sports people at the top of their game ranging from athletics, gaelic games, rugby and much more. Every morning between 7 and 9am, The Early Birds show aims to bring big smiles and loud laughs to our listeners. The show is presented by Ray, who is a lively and enthusiastic character. Each day he knocks the most fun possible out of his morning routines. And he simply cannot wait to share the next bit of music, jokes, stories and fun with his listeners, the Rise n Shinies'. On Saturdays and Sundays between 2 and 5pm, Lisa Delaney joins the RT jr radio team with her new weekend show packed with party games, new dance moves and competitions together with some great music. On The Cosy Corner airing weekdays between 12.30 and 2pm, Sophie Dobson chooses the most relaxing music from all around the world to snooze to or just totally relax! Tune in for songs, meditations and lullabies to help little ones off to sleep.

On our free mobile RT jr APP we will have exclusive previews of upcoming shows, extra content created specially for the littlers and new features including playlists where your little ones can binge watch their favourite series.

LINK:	http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2017/0927/90795...
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