Future of Tommy Tiernan Show confirmed following uncertainty

Recent upheaval at RTÉ has left a number of high-profile programmes at risk of getting the chop.

The first season premiered on RTÉ One back in 2017, and originally aired on Thursday evenings.

Such was the success of the programme that it was moved to the coveted Saturday evening slot. Many fans attribute the show's appeal to its unique premise - Tiernan and the audience don’t know who the guests will be until they walk out.

Last year's RTÉ payments scandal revealed a significant drop in the number of households renewing their licence fee.

The figures represented a loss of nearly €1 million in income – a drop of about 30% from the previous year.

As a result, the renewal of several of the state broadcaster's flagship shows were cast into doubt.

“This bird is singing its life story, where it’s been, stamps on a passport”

Seán Roynane shares his passion for birdsong on episode 1 of the brand new season of “The Tommy Tiernan Show” #tommytiernanshow

For more ℹ️ on episode one https://t.co/gclh5VUGdV pic.twitter.com/MjLRL28Y6J

— Tommy Tiernan (@Tommedian) January 8, 2024

However, last month the government announced it was allocating a €725 million bailout to the broadcaster over the next three years. 

So now that funding has been secured for the future, RTÉ are ploughing ahead and giving the green light to a number of its most popular shows for another season.

Amongst those, according to Extra.ie, will be the Navan comedian's unique chat show.

"Tommy Tiernan will be returning," an RTÉ insider said. "He will be back for another season more or less the same time as last year.

"It’s a no-brainer. The Tommy Tiernan Show is bang for your buck. If you look at it it’s essentially one host, a few chairs, throw in a bit of “craic agus ceoil” and it’s ready, steady, show.

"Obviously, there’s the camera people, producers, researchers and all that jazz. But there is none of the razzmatazz that you have with all other shows. So, by comparison, it’s relatively cost neutral to air whilst most other shows are far more labour and studio costs intensive."

Last season saw Tiernan sit down with several high-profile guests like former Republic of Ireland and Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given, comedian John Bishop and actress Siobhan McSweeney.

The show ratings ebbed and flowed for the ten-week run going from a series high of 416,000 to hovering around the 310,000 mark.

Each series tends to hit our screens around January of each year, so you can expect the new series to land sometime in early 2025.

The Tommy, Hector & Laurita podcast, which Tiernan hosted along with two friends from a hen house at the bottom of his garden for several years, announced in April that it would no longer be producing episodes.

A statement on the podcast website read: "Tommy, Hector & Laurita have made the difficult decision to close the Henhouse podcast door for good.

"This wonderful podcast started during the pandemic when all three had clear work schedules and although it has been hugely successful & a wonderful experience for all involved, it became tougher to find time to record together allowing for each of their individual careers and schedules.

"Thank you for listening."