RT Radio 1 has today launched a significant step in its ongoing strategic evolution. Following the launch of its brand-new schedule late last year, RT Radio 1 today unveiled a new, fully unified audio identity for the station, designed to further strengthen its appeal to audiences and maintain the station as Ireland's first choice for radio.
Starting today, listeners will enjoy new programme signature tunes across the entire schedule, including new themes for news bulletins and continuity, as well as updated imaging for weather, sport, traffic and travel. Key elements of the new themes, including all brass, strings and other elements, were performed and recorded by the RT Concert Orchestra. The initiative forms part of a broader transformation across the station, including a refreshed schedule and updated presenter imaging.
This is the first time RT Radio 1 will implement a fully unified audio identity across its output, and the project was informed by in-depth qualitative and quantitative research conducted with IPSOS B&A, exploring audience attitudes, needs and preferences among listeners and non-listeners. Following a competitive public procurement process, leading audio branding agency WiseBuddah was appointed to develop the new sound. Directed by RT 's creative audio imaging team, brand team and Radio 1 station management, WiseBuddah has created a comprehensive, round-the-clock sound suite tailored to the station's evolving identity.
Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio, said: This is a landmark moment for RT Radio 1. As we mark 100 years of public media in Ireland, it is essential that we evolve to meet the expectations of a changing audience. Audio identity is one of the most powerful ways we connect with listeners, and this new sound allows us to express who we are today confident, contemporary and relevant. Grounded in robust audience insight and brought to life through an exceptional creative partnership with the RT Concert Orchestra, this work ensures RT Radio 1 is not only heard but will be instantly recognised and felt.
I'm particularly pleased to have worked so closely with the RT Concert Orchestra on this new sound. RT 's support for Irish musicians and composers is well-established, not only through the orchestra, but through major initiatives like the RT Choice Music Prize, the RT Radio 1 Folk Awards and 2fm Rising. Beyond that, RT works closely with Irish composers and performers across its drama, factual and entertainment offerings.
Tara Campbell, Head of RT Radio 1, added: Our ambition is to make RT Radio 1 the first-choice for audiences seeking to understand the world around them. This new audio identity is a vital part of that journey. It complements our refreshed schedule and presenter line-up, helping us to challenge perceptions and showcase the breadth and quality of what we offer. It's about creating a stronger emotional connection with our audience one that feels modern, distinctive and unmistakably RT Radio 1.
The new sound for RT Radio 1 features a single station voice. Continuity announcer Jan N Fhanag in was chosen as the voice of the station, following an internal Expressions of Interest process. Commercial voice artist Keith Singleton becomes the voice of Radio 1's sponsorship stings.
Listeners will hear the new sound for RT Radio 1 starting today.
LISTEN: You can listen to the new sound here.
-ENDS-
Date: 13 April 2026
Notes to Editors:
Following a competitive public procurement process, leading audio branding agency WiseBuddah was appointed to develop the new sound. WiseBuddah brings more than 20 years' experience in composing original music for global media brands, with a portfolio that includes work for major broadcasters such as the BBC, NPR, RTL, and Virgin Radio. The company is also responsible for the current imaging package on RT 2fm.
For more information please contact:
Sharon Sorohan, RT Senior Communications Lead | sharon.sorohan@rte.ie
More from RTE
13/04/2026
RT Radio 1 has today launched a significant step in its ongoing strategic evolution. Following the launch of its brand-new schedule late last year, RT Radio 1...
13/04/2026
The Late Late Show Opening Act, the search for Ireland's newest country musi...
13/04/2026
RT has today announced the appointment of Annemarie Britz to the position of Chief Financial Officer, RT following a public competition.
Annemarie Britz is c...
09/04/2026
RT Sport has announced Brian Fenton will join its Sunday Game GAA punditry panel for the 2026 Championship, featuring across video, audio, online including the...
09/04/2026
Doireann N Ghlac in returns as presenter, with the first episode airing this Friday at 8.30pm on RT One and RT Player
The beloved walking series Tracks & T...
08/04/2026
Young Forever: The Death of Ageing? airs Monday 13 April and 20 April on RT One and RT Player
Around the world, the race to beat ageing is on. From cutting ...
07/04/2026
THE GAA CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE BACK WITH A BANG
LIVE AND FREE TO AIR ACROSS ALL RT PLATFORMS
The Sunday Game and The Sunday Game Live return on Sunday 12 April
L...
02/04/2026
2FM Breakfast to extend on weekday mornings from 6am to 10am
Doireann Garrihy m...
02/04/2026
RT News & Current Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of RT Radio 1 reporter, Barry Lenihan, as Political Correspondent.
Barry has reported across...
01/04/2026
Rugby fans won't miss a moment of the action this spring, with full Women...
01/04/2026
T Bluey ag teacht go RT ! Beginning on Monday 6 April 2026, Bluey will be available as Gaeilge on RT KIDSjr and RT Player. Children will be able to connect w...
27/03/2026
RT Supporting the Arts
RT is Supporting 20 Arts and Cultural Events all over Ireland this April
RT is proud to support an exciting month of arts and cul...
27/03/2026
Average of 1.37 million viewers watched Irish World Cup heartbreak on RT 2
Over one million streams on RT Player
Highest number of streams for any single eve...
26/03/2026
RT Commercial today announced Fiat as sponsor of The Louise Duffy Show on RT Radio 1, Weekdays 3pm 4pm.
The Louise Duffy Show is the home of daytime music...
24/03/2026
Jock and Conor are back in Cork for series 5
A new series of hit-comedy The Young Offenders will drop on RT Player on Good Friday 3 April. The show, produced...
24/03/2026
RT 's new history podcast, What Were We Like, is out now. Hosted by historian Diarmaid Ferriter and archivist Catriona Crowe, the series focuses on modern I...
24/03/2026
All three presenters, Maura, D ith and Sinead, celebrate as afternoon chat show filmed in Cork hits milestone.
Ireland's longest running afternoon show, t...
23/03/2026
RT is sad today to learn of the death of legendary RT Sport broadcaster Michael Lyster, who died this morning aged 71 years.
Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General...
23/03/2026
RT Documentary On One has scooped its first ever dedicated music award. At the 2026 Icelandic Music Awards, composer lfur Eldj rn won Release of the Year in t...
23/03/2026
Inside Sport, Liveline, Morning Ireland and 2FM DRIVE will all be in Prague to bring fans to the heart of the action
Every Moment, Every GenerationRT | FIFA W...
20/03/2026
Dingle, Co. Kerry - Animation Dingle is delighted to announce that Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children's and Young People's Content at RT , will receive the...
20/03/2026
It's time to play The Money List! Baz Ashmawy is back at the helm as the qui...
19/03/2026
Other Voices presents a legendary night of music as Foo Fighters bring their stadium anthems to St James' Church, An Daingean. The surprise performance teas...
19/03/2026
***Issued by RT on behalf of RTS Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS 2026...
16/03/2026
After a nail-biting Grand Finale, Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins has been announced as the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2026.
The four finalists each dance...
16/03/2026
Welcome to Moore Street will begin on RT One and RT Player on Thursday 19 Marc...
13/03/2026
RT has announced today that Rick O'Shea is the new presenter of Arena RT Radio 1's flagship weeknight arts and culture programme. Rick has been pres...
13/03/2026
Lights! Camera! Action! The 98th Oscars set to air live as RT backs the Irish n...
12/03/2026
The Late Late Show Show St Patrick's Day special
Dancing with the Stars f...
11/03/2026
TELL US YOUR (SHORT) STORIES
The 2026 RT Short Story Competition is now open for entries
Recognising and rewarding the best new Irish fiction writing for...
11/03/2026
RT 's The Traitors Ireland is among the nominees for the 2026 Celtic Media Festival Torc Awards for Excellence, announced today....
09/03/2026
A powerful new national initiative supporting people living with dementia launch...
06/03/2026
We are deeply saddened to hear the very sad news of the death of our friend and colleague, John McHugh. John was an exceptionally talented creative leader who s...
06/03/2026
First exclusive look at RT 's promo as Ireland prepare to take on Czechia
Every Moment, Every Generation
https://youtu.be/2ijo96EadLU
36 years after Geor...
05/03/2026
Celebrating 21 Years of the RT Choice Music Prize
RT Choice Music Prize
In association with IMRO and IRMA
RT Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2...
03/03/2026
RT is proud to support a rich and diverse programme of arts and cultural events taking place across Ireland throughout March 2026. This month brings a remarkab...
03/03/2026
RT Media Sales has announced Spry Finance has renewed it's sponsorship of M...
27/02/2026
One of Ireland's favourite lifestyle shows Home of the Year, returns for its 12th series and will be proudly sponsored by SIRO. The brand-new series will ai...
27/02/2026
Our Farm: A GIY Story lands on RT One and RT Player from March 3
From walled garden to community farm, new six-part series captures the unfiltered realities...
27/02/2026
Note: English version included below the Irish language version.
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026 ar RT
A Ghaeilge mo cheol th '
T feachtas athnuaite i n...
26/02/2026
There were two big wins for RT KIDS shows at the 17th Kidscreen Awards in San Diego this week with Maddie Triggs and BeddyByes both taking home gongs.
The K...
26/02/2026
RT has confirmed that it has today received payment from the GAA for its 50% share of GAAGO.
RT confirmed in February 2025 that it had agreed in principle wi...
26/02/2026
RT Statement regarding the broadcast of Republic of Ireland vs Israel Nations League fixture
If the match goes ahead and that is a decision for the FAI as ...
24/02/2026
Katharine Wolinska appointed to lead Partnerships
RT Commercial has announced ...
23/02/2026
Audience peak of over a million on RT 2 as Ireland beat England in the Six Natio...
20/02/2026
Other Voices returns to RT this Spring with performances from Dermot Kennedy, A...
17/02/2026
Celebrating 21 Years of the RT Choice Music Prize
RT Choice Music Prize
In association with IMRO and IRMA
Classic Irish Album
And the winning album is
T...
17/02/2026
RT has today announced that as part of its public-service remit, it will expand...
16/02/2026
RT News & Current Affairs has today announced the new appointments of journalis...
RT Radio 1 has today launched a significant step in its ongoing strategic evolution. Following the launch of its brand-new schedule late last year, RT Radio 1 today unveiled a new, fully unified audio identity for the station, designed to further strengthen its appeal to audiences and maintain the station as Ireland's first choice for radio.
