THE long running Late Late Show notched up a first for RTE last night when it was broadcast over the internet, the first such television broadcast from Ireland.
The broadcast inaugurated RTE On Line, the station's new internet service. Similar broadcasts are unlikely to be available here until telephone technology changes.
If anyone in Ireland had been able to receive the Late Late Show on computer, they would have found the sound quality reasonable, but the visual images jumpy. In many countries abroad, however, wider band width and fibre optic technology would have ensured good reception.
RTE On Line offers services ranging from news to archive material, from the RTE commercial catalogue to the station's response to the Green Paper on Broadcasting, or even transcripts of Questions and Answers.
It will be of immediate value to Irish people living abroad who wish to keep in touch. The Internet enables those living in the US, for example, to download Morning Ireland automatically, while it is being broadcast here, and then listen to it at their convenience. Some RTE programmes already have their own Web sites and more of these will become available in the feature.
Launching RTE On Line yesterday, the station's director general, Mr Joe Barry, said that the Internet provided a mechanism for broadcasters to offer public access to a wide range of digital content. "As band width becomes more available, RTE is committed to providing access to a wide range of multi media text, audio and video content."
A full list of what is available at RTE On Line can be found at http:/Aww.rte.ie. or by e mail at webmaster rte. ie.