RTE2 have had an identity crisis lads, it's no joke. They just didn't know who they were anymore, but rest assured, as of today they do. Phew! Right? The channel have launched their brand new Autumn schedule and have also got a new look and in their words 'a brand new channel identity'.

From what we can see so far, this has basically just involved switching the word 'two' with the number 2.....maybe this has some higher significant meaning that we just can't quite grasp, but probably not.

Glen Killane, MD RTÉ Television said today; "This season we will be delivering a refocused confident, fresh channel that very much looks to our future."

RTÉ2 Channel Controller Bill Malone said: “The ambition for RTE2 is to create a highly distinctive, relevant, youthful public service channel we can all be proud of – to position RTE2 as the channel for the under 35s and those who think young."

So if you're over 35, feck off over to RTE One!

Their new schedule, which kicks off September 22nd, does look pretty good though, with the return of Damo and Ivor, Other Voices, Second Captains and a whole host of other new shows and documentaries.

Highlights include a show where Eoghan McDermot watches people get drunk, Vogue McFadden will legitimately have a show where she explores concepts of the afterlife (yep), Bressie's going to be saving the youth from themselves through the power of music, in Clubland we will get to go behind the scenes at Dublin's Wright venue which we're pretty sure nobody wants to see, and there's also some Eoghan McDermott type of panel show - that fella is pretty much the face of RTE2 at this stage. The force is strong in that one. Must be the hair.

Have a look at it all below or if you're not arsed reading through it all, you can just watch the trailer below that.

Documentary/Reality Series on RTÉ2

Connected -  A first of it’s kind commission, a 20 episode reality soap, real people, real lives, real drama.6 women, 6 cameras, with the cast in control of what and where they shoot. Fans of the show can get even deeper into the six women’s lives with additional web exclusive content on RTÉ Player for each of the 20 episodes.

Full Frontal In this provocative four-part series Angela Scanlon examines the many and varied paths that promise to lead to happiness or perfection.

Bressie’s Teenage Kicks - A new series which explores real life in some of Limerick’s toughest estates with music being the common bond. Bressie works with teenagers from different communities across the city to help them express themselves through music.

Drunk - Two-part science-based series presented by Eoghan McDermott. In a controlled environment volunteers are invited to drink to excess and then take on a range of challenges which will help explore the effects of drinking on the body and mind. This series may not stop you from sending embarrassing drunken texts but it will help you understand why you did it!

Meet the McDonaghs - Following on from the success of What Kelly Did Next, this three-part series follows Kelly McDonagh and her family and provides a window into the world of a family who are proud to be traveller and an insight into their unique culture and attitudes to love, religion, morality, education and family.

What Women Want - Maia Dunphy is back for another entertaining look at the issues, concerns and lifestyles of Irish women. In series two, Maia explores Food, Shopping, Fame and Attraction with her trademark mix of interviews, opinion, facts and humour.

Norah’s Traveller Academy - In this new series Norah Casey mentors four young Traveller women in the world of business, developing their skills and hopefully helping them succeed in their new business ventures in a country where they still experience prejudice and exclusion.

The Notorious – The Series Following the critical acclaim and ratings success of Reality Bites: The Notorious documentary, Conor McGregor returns to the small screen. In this six part series audiences are invited to spend six months with Conor McGregor, Ireland’s most talked about sports person, as he continues his quest for MMA and world domination.

Don’t Tell The Bride - Six new brides to be and six new grooms doing it their way. This season our grooms are getting a little outrageous and creating incredible days their brides will never forget, and not always in a good way! Brides beware! The lads are in control...

 

COMEDY on RTÉ2

Damo & Ivor - The much-anticipated new series returns with a bang as Ivor must face up to possibly being a dad and Damo is also forced togrow up. Starring Andy Quirke, Eimear Morrissey, Ruth McCabe and Hannah Crowley this is a hilarious collision of class and culture.

Holding Out For A Hero - From the legendary warrior Cúchulainn to the pirate queen Gráinne Mhaol, in this four part series, Neil wants to get inside their skin and see if he has what it takes to be a modern day Irish Hero. Spoiler alert: He doesn’t.

The Savage Eye: - The Final Solution Over the last five years and 25 episodes The Savage Eye has been a satirical and often surreal examination of subjects close to the hearts of Irish people. This show will be an overview of findings to draw a damning but hilarious conclusion.

Republic of Telly  - Presenter Kevin McGahern, alongside Jennifer and Bernard, will be ripping telly to shreds for your entertainment. The award-winning series will also continue to support new Irish comedy throughout the series.

The Fear - The gang are back for a third season pranking the public and spreading fear and laughter throughout the nation. This season will features old favourites and also introduces an assortment of new characters.

DOCUMENTARIES on RTÉ2


The Proposal -
The documentary follows New Orlean’s Rose Molly Molloy and Kyle Catlett as they reflect back on that night in The Rose of Tralee, and how the world reacted to their proposal story and follows them as they prepare for their wedding day.

Guardians of the City - This one-hour documentary reveals the reality of policing in Dublin city centre with unprecedented access to Garda specialist units. From community policing projects and drug raids, to the work of the undercover street crime units, this is the story from behind the scenes with the men and women who guard our capital.

Vogue Does the Afterlife - In 2010 Vogue Williams lost her father and, at a relatively young age, she was forced to consider: is death really the end? Immersing herself in the emotive world of the ‘Afterlife Business’ Vogue sets out to investigate if contacting the dead is simply a false hope peddled to the vulnerable or are claims of psychic abilities actually genuine?

Smack em up - Fergal Devitt is an enigmatic Bray man who allows the cameras into his life showing us what it is like to be one of the biggest names in the bizarre and weird world of Japanese pro-wrestling. An exceptional story about a man following his boyhood dream.

Tongue Tied - Comedian PJ Gallagher has secretly battled with Stage Fright since he first erupted onto our screens with Naked Camera. He’s now reached a crossroads; either he finds a way to overcome his crippling fear of performing or gives up the one thing he can actually do! A wry look at one of the world's most common phobias.

Clubland - Behind the scenes at the Wright Venue, Ireland’s biggest nightclub.

One Ocean- No Limits - In early 2011 a group of six young rowers set off from Morocco with the aim of breaking the world record for transatlantic rowing. The documentary follows the highs and lows of life in a confined space and the challenges of 33 days non-stop rowing.

Silk Roads to Shanghai - Using bicycles, kayaks and running, two young Irish guys David Burns and Maghnus Collins take on the challenge of travelling from Istanbul along the old silk route of Marco Polo to the Yangtze River and down into Shanghai.

 

Entertainment/Music/Lifestyle on RTÉ2

#Trending - A six-part show presented by Darren Kennedy which will keep you plugged into fashion, pop culture, street style, celebrity trends and red carpet hits and misses. Every episode will feature insider tips on how to achieve the latest designer looks and celebrities will share their style secrets. RTÉ Player will have exclusive additional online content.

Second Captains Live - The hugely popular series presented by Eoin McDevitt, Ken Early and Ciaran Murphy returns for its third series just in time for the November rugby internationals and some crucial Euro qualifiers.

Other Voices - Returns for it’s 13th series of the show which showcases some of the most exciting music talent in an intimate live setting.

Ed Sheeran Special - A special programme which includes exclusive interview and live footage with one of the most popular singer songwriters of his generation.

The Best of Electric Picnic - A one-off documentary featuring highlights from this year’s festival.

 

New Pilots and Formats on RTÉ2

Exiles: Vancouver New series which follows six young Irish people as they emigrate from Ireland to Canada to start a new life and chase their dreams.

The Unemployables - A brand new transformation series devised and presented by Jennifer Maguire and Darren Kennedy, who set out to try and help struggling young people get off the dole and on to a career path.

You Choose You Lose? - Original comedy panel show hosted by Eoghan McDermott. Two teams, captained by Alison Spittle and Keith Farnan, battle it out over a series of rather silly ‘would you rather’ dilemmas.

Then Comes Marriage - Three couples get the opportunity to prepare for their future life together at the ultimate relationship skills crash course. The relationship counsellors will help couples ask the big questions they haven’t already asked - or don’t want to ask – questions around finances, sex and intimacy, conflict management, communication and compatibility.

 

NEWS on RTÉ2

News Feed - A new nightly bulletin presented by Carla O’Brien, a multimedia journalist with RTÉ News and former presenter of News2day.
News2day - RTÉ’s television news service designed specifically for children and features Irish and international news of interest to a young audience. This September new presenter Nick Sheridan, 22, from Wexford, joins Orla Walsh on the team.

 

SPORT on RTÉ2

All Ireland Football Final - Donegal face Kerry in the All Ireland Football Final on September 21 as another fantastic year of Championship action reaches a thrilling climax. Plus the All Ireland Hurling Final Replay on September 27th,

European Qualifiers - The Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane era gets underway in earnest with the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifying campaign live on RTÉ Two with four qualifiers before Christmas.

Champions League Live - The Champions League returns to Wednesday nights on RTÉ Two beginning on September 17 as Man City travel to take on Bayern Munich.

Autumn Internationals - Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations champions Ireland face South Africa, Georgia and Australia in the Autumn International series.

Irish Champions Weekend - This brings two iconic Irish Racing fixtures and racecourses, the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the Irish St. Leger at the Curragh together on one weekend.

 

YOUNG PEOPLES on RTÉ2

Blue Zoo - 13-part observational documentary series that follows eight young Irish and Australian marine animal enthusiasts as they embark on an intense six-week training mission in New South Wales.

Una’s Dream Ticket - From having tea with the president to swimming with dolphins, from cooking with Neven Maguire to performing a duet with Shane Filan, Una Foden from The Saturdays is back, making the biggest, the best and the craziest dreams come true for children all over the country!

Elev8 - Diana and Sean have been busy moving back into the elev8 loft after a summer of fun adventures, and are now ready to bring your daily doses of entertainment, sport, science, nature, and weird n’ wacky news!

Music Inc. - Ten music mad, young Irish students take part in a new eight part series which sees them get a weekly backstage pass to meet and work with some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Two Tube - Celebrity interviews, exclusive music performances, and the latest gossip on movies, fashion, TV and breaking showbiz news. Blathnaid and Stephen will keep you up to date.

 

Film on RTÉ2

RTÉ2 are delighted to partner with the Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film board (IFB) aiming to screen a host of Irish feature films on Saturday nights. To mark this new partnership RTÉ2 will screen the first TV broadcast of the hit film The Hardy Bucks Movie, which was released in cinemas last year. This partnership underlines RTÉ2s and the IFB’s commitment to showcase the best of Irish talent. Irish movies are always a huge hit with viewers and RTÉ2 viewers can look forward to exciting new movies like The Guard, Adam and Paul, When Harvey Met Bob, The Boxer and What Richard Did.

 

DRAMA & COMEDY FROM THE US

Vikings – Second series of the popular family saga which is filmed in Ireland.

Outlander: Starring Irish actress Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall as a married combat nurse who is mysteriously swept from 1945 back to 1743 and thrown into the middle of the Scottish rebellion against the British army.

Scorpion: Inspired by a true story, this is a high-octane drama about eccentric Irish genius Walter O’Brien and his team of brilliant misfits who comprise the last line of defence against complex, high-tech threats of the modern age.

How to Get Away with Murder: On the surface, Criminal Law professor Annalise Keating (Academy-Award Nominee Viola Davis) seems like she has it all but her relationship with a local Philadelphia detective, Nate will force her to confront secrets about her life.

Homeland - Season 4 of Homeland returns as Carrie's career at the CIA takes off when she becomes an overseas station chief in a highly volatile region, but every drone strike and tactical raid comes at a cost and she quickly learns the true price of power. The series premiers just 2 days after the US transmission.

Resurrection - The people of Arcadia, Missouri are forever changed when their deceased loved ones suddenly start to reappear. Based on the book The Returned by Jason Mott, Resurrection stars Omar Epps (House), Frances Fisher (Titanic) and Matt Craven (Crimson Tide).

Mad Men - The seventh and final season of Mad Men airs on RTÉ Two this autumn. Opening in January 1969, Don visits the West Coast to salvage his marriage to Megan, while secretly feeding Freddy copy for a pitch in order to impress Peggy, who is at odds with her new boss, Lou Avery.
Returning: CSI 14, Big Bang Theory, Revenge, Grey’s Anatomy, Marvel Agents of SHIELD, New Girl, Big Bang Theory, Masters of Sex, Brooklyn 999, New Girl, Two Broke Girls,