It must have looked at if it was planned but for the first week when Today FM was on air the front pages of the tabloids and a certain amount of space in the broadsheets were dominated by stories about RTE radio.
Gareth O'Callaghan complained about playing second fiddle to Gay Byrne. Then there was a story that Des Cahill would replace Gay Byrne. Treasa Davison's replacement as Play- back presenter also made the news.
While some senior executives at the station complained about dirty linen being washed in public, it showed how difficult it is for any station to eclipse RTE.
It also underlined just how difficult it is to replace Gay Byrne. There is a national obsession with the man, at least for some newspapers. What Gay Byrne is going to do in the future is a news story at least twice a year.
The director of radio, Ms Helen Shaw, has admitted that she is not happy with the present arrangement, with Mr Byrne presenting his morning show three days a week.
She is not the first to be unhappy about this. Her predecessor, Mr Kevin Healy, was also faced with this problem when Gay Byrne said he wanted to reduce his radio commitment. His response was to swap Mr Byrne's 9.15 a.m. slot for his current one later in the morning.
Now Ms Shaw is faced with a similar problem. All her changes at Radio 1 over four months indicate someone who wants to bring coherence and logic to the schedule. She wants to create strands that run across time slots which allow listeners to know what sort of programmes to expect at certain times.
Her management appointments reflect this philosophy. She has created a management structure which is nearly as large as that criticised by consultants from SKC brought into RTE in the mid-1980s. They said there were too many managers. Subsequently, the department structure, based on types of programmes - such as features and current affairs, drama, sport and religion - was effectively abolished, along with the post of controller Radio 1.
Ms Shaw has brought back the post of controller Radio 1 with the appointment of Ms Ann-Marie O'Callaghan as editor Radio 1. She has also filled a number of senior posts - Mr Paddy Glacken becomes editor weekend programmes; Ms Pat Brennan becomes editor day time; and Mr Michael Littleton becomes editor evening programmes and deputy editor Radio 1.
While commissioning editors in certain programme areas have survived, they are senior producers rather than managers. What Ms Shaw has done is to stamp her views on Radio 1 by appointing people who are in charge of time slots, rather than programme areas, so that there is focus, logic and coherence across the schedule.
There is no doubt that Gay Byrne will have to move from his morning slot in its present format. He has given no indication that he wants to return to presenting a radio show five mornings a week. Indeed, he has talked about how much he enjoyed his time off. He has left Ms Shaw with a scheduling problem - what to do about the lack of continuity during the weekday mornings. Continuity appears to be a hallmark of Ms Shaw's schedule.
If Gay Byrne does move, he will be offered something else. One suggestion has been a jazz programme, possibly at the weekend.
But what to do with the morning slot? Despite the Montrose rumour machine, it is unlikely Gerry Ryan will be moved from 2FM. When Radio Ireland tried to poach him from RTE, it became evident how much the 2FM schedule needs him. A new and very lucrative contract was negotiated with him and RTE is currently investigating a television project for him.
Another option might be Marian Finucane. There is no doubt that this is an attractive idea. She is popular and has a proven track record, though it is not clear how well she would do with a morning magazine format with music and talk. It just might not be worth the risk of moving her, given Liveline's success.
Liveline is one of RTE's most successful programmes. RTE is very rare among public service radio stations across Europe in holding its morning audience until the lunchtime news. Liveline performs the almost impossible task of not alone holding the audience into the afternoon but at times actually increasing it.
One of Radio 1's problems has been the hold a small number of broadcasters have over the schedule. It has long been a criticism that new talent has not been encouraged.
If Gay Byrne moves from his prime-time morning slot, it will allow Ms Shaw to make radical changes which RTE has found impossible to make before now. There is, for example, a perception that RTE has too much talk in the morning, with Morning Ire- land and Pat Kenny both offering news and current affairs. It might be a chance to explore other programme options, such as music, which the new editor Radio 1, Ms O'Callaghan, with her music background, might favour.
Scheduling on Radio 1 has been like a game of draughts, moving the same pieces in predictable patterns, from one square to another. With Mr Byrne gone it becomes more subtle - more like chess - with the pieces being moved forwards, backwards and sideways and even jumping over each other.
Some changes have been made. Others are planned. Des Cahill has already taken over from Gareth O'Callaghan two mornings a week. Con Murphy is to take over from Des Cahill on Sportscall, while it is planned that Richard Crowley will sit in for Marian Finucane when she is off.
It might be a case of moving a few pawns now before the big move in the summer when the current season ends.