Patrick Kielty is staying put on Friday nights, delivering a major boost for entertainment news Ireland and RTÉ viewers alike. The presenter has confirmed he will continue hosting The Late Late Show until 2028, extending his run on one of the country’s most iconic television programmes.
The new agreement covers another three seasons and allows for up to 30 shows each year, meaning Kielty will lead the series into its 66th season when it returns in September. For fans following Irish entertainment news and TV news Ireland, the decision signals stability for a format that remains a cornerstone of national conversation.
Patrick Kielty confirms Late Late future
Kielty described the role in warm terms, calling it “one of the greatest gigs in the world” and saying the past three years have been “a joy and a privilege.” He also pointed to the importance of the studio audience, saying they remain the heart of the show and that he is looking forward to being part of viewers’ Friday nights again from September.
His comments will be welcomed by audiences who have watched him reshape the long-running chat show with a lighter, more conversational touch. In the wider latest entertainment news Ireland landscape, his renewal is one of RTÉ’s biggest programming decisions of the year.
RTÉ backs Kielty after strong audience response
RTÉ executives were quick to praise Kielty’s impact. Steve Carson, RTÉ’s Director of Video, said the presenter has made the programme his own, highlighting both strong viewing figures and standout social media engagement. Alan Tyler, RTÉ Group Head of Entertainment and Music, said the broadcaster is “absolutely delighted” to keep Kielty in the chair for another three years.
According to RTÉ, the strategy is working across both traditional broadcasting and digital platforms, a key trend in streaming news Ireland and modern audience behaviour. That cross-platform performance is increasingly important as broadcasters compete for attention in a crowded TV and streaming Ireland market.
Why the renewal matters
- The show enters its 66th season this autumn
- Kielty’s new contract runs until 2028
- The deal allows for up to 30 episodes per season
- RTÉ says younger and older viewers are connecting with the format
Big names, big numbers and a bigger digital footprint
Last season featured a strong guest list that included Jessie Buckley, Priscilla Presley, Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie, Coleen Rooney, Aisling Bea, John Bon Jovi, Westlife, Gabriel Byrne, Katie Taylor and Shane Lowry. That line-up helped keep the show relevant in both celebrity news Ireland and broader pop culture Ireland coverage.
Performance figures also tell a positive story. RTÉ said the last season averaged 385,000 viewers per episode with a 38.2% audience share, while RTÉ Player delivered more than 1.46 million streams, up on the previous year. Social channels generated 6.8 million engagements and 88.7 million video views, underscoring the show’s value in trending entertainment Ireland and social media entertainment.
Just as importantly, the renewal keeps one of Ireland’s biggest annual television events, The Late Late Toy Show, under familiar stewardship. That continuity should matter to families and casual viewers deciding what to watch Ireland when the autumn schedule begins.
What happens next for The Late Late Show?
With Patrick Kielty confirmed through 2028, RTÉ now has breathing room to keep evolving the programme while holding onto a trusted host. In entertainment news Ireland, this is more than a contract update—it is a clear sign that RTÉ believes Kielty can continue modernising a national institution without losing its core identity.
The takeaway is simple: entertainment news Ireland has its answer, and Patrick Kielty will remain one of the biggest names on Irish television for years to come.
Image Courtesy: EVOKE
Credit/Courtesy for the Article: EVOKE
