RTÉ Chief Announces Career Change

RTÉ have announced that Noel Curran, Managing Director of Television, will move on from his position with effect from 26th May 2010.

Mr Curran is leaving the organisation to pursue other interests but will continue to work in an advisory capacity with RTÉ in the future.

During Mr Curran's time as Managing Director, RTÉ Television has successfully implemented a strategy of increased investment in home production."I have thoroughly enjoyed my seven years as Managing Director", Mr Curran said. "I've been fortunate enough to work with some incredibly talented people both in RTÉ and in the independent sector. I want to thank them for all their continued hard work and creativity. Their work has filled our schedules with the best in Irish programme-making."

Speaking of Noel Curran's decision, RTÉ Director General Cathal Goan said: "As MD TV, Noel Curran has played a pivotal role in maintaining RTÉ Television's creative and popular success: During his time as MDTV, RTÉ has maintained its pre-eminent position with Irish viewers, despite unprecedented growth in competition. It has also held on to almost all of its major sports rights on behalf of the Irish public.

"This has been done against a backdrop of significantly reduced costs over the last two years which will position Television strongly for the future. RTÉ is grateful to him for his enormous contribution. We wish him well and RTÉ looks forward to continued association with him in the future."

Noel Curran joined RTÉ as reporter in 1992. He subsequently worked as a Producer in Entertainment, Factual and Current Affairs programming and was Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest hosted by RTÉ in 1997.

In 2000, he left RTÉ to become Director of an independent production company. He returned to RTÉ as Editor of Current Affairs where he launched the Prime Time Investigates strand of documentaries.

In 2003 he was appointed Managing Director of Television.

(BMcN)