Madam, – I would like to reassure your readers regarding arts coverage on RTÉ Radio 1. While we greatly appreciate Brian Cooke's loyalty to The Arts Show(August 20th), it is unfortunate that he understands its replacement in the forthcoming RTÉ Radio 1 schedule by two new art programmes as a process of axing. It is, in fact, an index to our ongoing commitment to renew and regenerate our schedules to better serve the Irish public.
Arena, presented by Sean Rocks, will be broadcast at the earlier time of 7.30pm from Monday to Friday, when a larger audience is available to join us in celebrating contemporary arts and culture. In addition, we are launching Arts Tonight, presented by Vincent Woods, an hour-long weekly arts programme (Mondays, 10pm) which will provide further in-depth coverage and analysis of the arts.
We are delighted to have two wonderfully accomplished broadcasters working with us to bring a full range of arts and cultural programming to our audience. To Mr Cooke and our current listeners, I would say: don’t damn us before you’ve heard us. This is the time to join us and wish us well in our endeavours. – Yours, etc,