Patrick Kielty’s future on Friday nights is no longer in doubt. In a major moment for entertainment news Ireland, RTÉ has confirmed the presenter will remain host of The Late Late Show for another three seasons, extending his run through 2028 and bringing fresh stability to one of Irish television’s biggest institutions.
The announcement ends months of speculation around Kielty’s future after his third season wrapped earlier this year. It also gives viewers a clear signal that RTÉ is doubling down on the current era of the long-running chat show as it heads into its 66th season.
Patrick Kielty Stays in the Late Late Hot Seat
Kielty originally stepped into the role in 2023 following Ryan Tubridy’s exit, taking over one of the most scrutinised jobs in Irish entertainment news. He had signed an initial three-year agreement, and as that term drew to a close, talk intensified over whether he would continue.
RTÉ has now put that chatter to bed. Under the new agreement, Kielty will host the programme for three more years, with 30 episodes per season — the same output he has maintained since taking over.
That consistency matters. In TV news Ireland, keeping a flagship presenter in place helps preserve audience trust while allowing the show to keep evolving across linear TV and digital platforms.
Strong Audience Figures Boost RTÉ Confidence
The renewal did not arrive in a vacuum. RTÉ highlighted a strong 2025/26 season, with The Late Late Show averaging 385,000 viewers and securing a 38.2% audience share.
Its digital performance also strengthened significantly, underlining how traditional TV brands now live across multiple screens:
- More than 1.46 million streams on RTÉ Player
- 53% increase in social media engagement
- 19% rise in social video views
For anyone following latest entertainment news Ireland, those numbers suggest Kielty has helped the programme connect not only with loyal viewers, but also with younger and more online audiences.
What Patrick Kielty Said
Kielty struck a warm, grateful note after the deal was confirmed, describing the hosting job as “one of the greatest gigs in the world” and saying the past three years had been “a joy and a privilege.”
He also pointed to the importance of the audience, saying the heart of the show will always be the people who tune in on Friday nights, and that he is looking forward to returning in September.
RTÉ’s View on the Renewal
RTÉ executives were equally upbeat. Steve Carson, Director of Video at RTÉ, said Kielty has made the show his own and credited his broad appeal with helping drive both strong viewing figures and social traction. Alan Tyler, RTÉ’s Group Head of Entertainment and Music, said the presenter has helped give the format renewed energy while expanding its reach across both traditional and newer platforms.
That makes this one of the more significant Irish TV news developments of the week, especially with the broadcaster already looking ahead to major tentpole episodes such as The Late Late Toy Show.
What This Means for Irish Television
For fans of celebrity news Ireland, pop culture Ireland, and wider entertainment updates Ireland, the move suggests continuity rather than reinvention. Kielty’s fourth season will begin this September, and RTÉ appears confident that the current format still has room to grow.
In a crowded media landscape shaped by streaming news Ireland and changing audience habits, keeping a familiar host on a heritage show is both a practical and strategic play. The message is simple: RTÉ believes Kielty is still the right man for one of the country’s most visible entertainment stages.
Takeaway: This is a significant win for entertainment news Ireland and for RTÉ’s flagship chat show. With a new deal signed, Patrick Kielty now has the runway to further shape The Late Late Show and steady one of Irish broadcasting’s most important brands for years to come.
Image Courtesy: Extra.ie
Credit/Courtesy for the Article: Extra.ie
