Today Tonight (Irish TV programme)

{{about|the Irish current affairs programme Today Tonight|the Australian current affairs programme of that name|Today Tonight}} {{Distinguish|Today is Tonight}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox television | image = | caption = | genre = News and current affairs | creator = | writer = | director = | creative_director = | developer = | presenter = Brian Farrell Barry Cowan Olivia O'Leary Pat Kenny John Bowman | starring = | open_theme = | end_theme = | composer = | company = | country = Ireland | language = English | num_series = | num_episodes = | list_episodes = | executive_producer = | producer = | editor = Joe Mulholland | location = RTÉ Television Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland | cinematography = | camera = Multi-camera | runtime = 30 minutes | network = RTÉ One | first_aired = {{start date|1980|10|06|df=yes}} | last_aired = {{end date|1992|08|27|df=yes}} | related = {{Plainlist| * ''Frontline (Ireland)'' * ''Prime Time'', ''Farrell'' }} }}

'''''Today Tonight''''' is an Irish news and current affairs programme noted for its in-depth analysis, robust cross-examination of senior politicians and investigative reporting. The programme was broadcast on RTÉ One for the first time on Monday 6 October 1980.<ref>"RTÉ outlines winter programme changes", ''The Irish Times'', 4 September 1980</ref>

Brian Farrell, Barry Cowan and Olivia O'Leary were the three original presenters. They were subsequently joined by others such as Pat Cox, John Bowman and Pat Kenny. All of these presenters later went on to hold other positions in RTÉ Television. ''Today Tonight'' was broadcast from Monday to Thursday on RTÉ One after the main evening news and restored the station's reputation for current affairs broadcasting following the demise of ''7 Days'' in 1976.<ref>"RTÉ expected to drop Today Tonight", ''The Irish Times'', 1 April 1992</ref> The last edition of the programme was broadcast on 27 August 1992 and was replaced by ''Prime Time''.<ref>"Prime Time's first Thursday this week", ''The Irish Times'', 12 September 1992</ref>

It won a number of Jacob's Awards.

An in-depth report into the 14 February 1981 Stardust fire broadcast by ''Today Tonight'' on 16 February 1981 led to a senior adviser of Taoiseach Charles Haughey accusing RTÉ of undermining the Stardust Tribunal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.herald.ie/breaking-news/national-news/rte-accused-over-stardust-tragedy-2976139.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804032227/http://www.herald.ie/breaking-news/national-news/rte-accused-over-stardust-tragedy-2976139.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 August 2012|title=RTÉ accused over Stardust tragedy|date=30 December 2011|accessdate=30 December 2011|work=Evening Herald|publisher=Independent News & Media}}</ref>

The series was released on RTE Player in 2021 to celebrate 60 Years of Television.

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:1980 Irish television series debuts Category:1992 Irish television series endings Category:1980s Irish television series Category:Irish television news shows Category:RTÉ original programming