The Next Chapter for Newstalk as 2026 Schedule Announced.
Radio Never Stands Still
If there’s one thing radio does better than most industries, it’s evolution, and Newstalk’s newly announced weekday shake up for February 2026 is a clear signal that the station is leaning confidently into its next era. From Tuesday 3 February, listeners will hear some familiar voices in very new places as the station retools its schedule to meet changing audiences and listening habits.
Breakfast Voices Head for Drivetime
After five years anchoring Newstalk Breakfast, Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman are swapping early alarms for the evening commute, moving into the drivetime slot to co-present The Hard Shoulder (4pm–7pm). It’s a bold move that reflects how vital drivetime has become as a space for strong personalities, sharp debate, and real time reaction. Kelly said she was “absolutely thrilled” to be joining the programme alongside Coleman adding “Let the games begin!”, Coleman said he's excited to join commuters on their journey home after nearly a decade of mornings.
A New Era for Newstalk Breakfast
Perhaps the biggest statement of intent comes at breakfast. Anton Savage will step into the 7am–9am slot as the new solo presenter of Newstalk Breakfast, marking the first time in over 20 years that the programme will be fronted by a single host. In an era where personality led audio continues to outperform, this move shows clarity of voice, consistency of tone, and strong editorial ownership.
Familiar Voices, Strategic Continuity
Across the rest of the day, continuity meets confidence. Claire Byrne takes over the mid-morning slot (9am–12pm), Andrea Gilligan continues to lead Lunchtime Live, and Seán Moncrieff remains in place for afternoons, ensuring familiar touchpoints for loyal listeners.
Weekend Radio Gets a Reboot
And the changes don’t stop there. Pat Kenny is set to launch a brand new weekend programme in March 2026, airing Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 12pm, with Bauer Media Audio Ireland confirming further weekend schedule updates will follow. So what does this tell us? Radio isn’t standing still. It’s rebalancing talent, rethinking formats, and investing in voices that audiences trust exactly the kind of adaptability we talk about every day at Learning Waves Skillnet. For anyone working in audio, this reshuffle is more than just a schedule update. It’s a reminder that careers in radio are dynamic, skills must stay sharp, and being ready for change isn’t optional, it’s the job.
Sources include RTE and the Irish Radio Independent.