RTÉ has announced that Today with Maura and Dáithí will extend its run by four weeks this season and will now stay on air until 25 May. This comes to the daily RTÉ One series during a hugely successful run, with an average daily audience of 101,000 (an increase of 20,000 on previous year) and 16% share, since already gaining an extra 30 minutes to its duration at the start of this series.

When the Beast from the East hit on Friday 2 March, Today with Maura and Dáithí rose to the occasion, increasing its share to 21% with 248,000 viewers (avg.), and broadcasting extra shows to keep the audience up to date with news and information across the day.

Head of Production at RTÉ Cork Colm Crowley said: ‘Maura Derrane and Daithi O’Sé’s winning combination of chat with plenty of mischief in the mix continues to draw bigger audiences in its afternoon longer time slot. Today with Maura and Dáithí really connects its audience and the extension of the run is a testament to the hard work of the team behind the show.’

Dáithí O’Sé said: ‘I’m delighted with how Today with Maura and Dáithí has gone this year and even happier that we’re on until the end of May! I think you can tell how well it is going by the amount of people who stop to discuss what interested them on the show. It’s great to know that viewers are enjoying the topical discussions and also the fun we have on the show.’

Maura Derrane added: ‘I am delighted that Today with Maura and Dáithí has been extended. Our audience is really loyal and growing all the time. We endeavour to showcase diverse subjects from beauty, health, food fashion and human interest stories and I feel the extension reflects the fact that we’re meeting our audience’s needs.’

Today with Maura and Dáithí is broadcast daily from RTÉ studios in Cork. This season celebrity guests have included Gloria Hunniford, Ruby Wax and Jo Malone. Well-known Irish personalities Alan Shatter, Mary O Rourke and Phil Coulter chatted about their life’s trial and tribulations. Sporting legends on the couch included Ray Houghton, Ronnie Whelan, Paul Galvin and Donncha O’Callaghan. Plus star chefs Domini Kemp, Kevin Dundon and Neven McGuire have whipped up storms in the kitchen.

For further information: For advertising opportunities around Today with Maura & Daithi contact us at mediasales@rte.ie

Sinead Harrington, RTÉ Television Press Officer, (01) 208 2576, sinead.harrington@rte.ie; Anne-Louise Foley, Communications Manager (acting), RTÉ Television, (01) 208 3298, foleya@rte.ie