RTÉ One hosting nine seasons as Late Late host he stepped down to host a new political programme. In September 2009, Ryan Tubridy took over as host. In its early years the show was known for its controversies. Most Irish chat shows continue to use a similar formula to The Late Late Show, most shows are live and contain a mix of serious and entertaining interviews. In the late 1970s and early 1980s the biggest rival to The Late Late Show was The Live Mike, hosted by Mike Murphy. The show was a mix of comedy sketches and interviews. Mike Murphy decided
Irish TV broadcasts a wide range of music, entertainment, sports, special interest and live documentaries and in 2015 founded the first ever Irish County Music Awards on television. To coincide with its launch on Saorview in Autumn 2016 the channel is launching a live weekend chat show to be hosted by popular presenter and musician Malachi Cush. The channel has also entered into a media partnership with the global Tata Communications network to deliver Irish TV across the USA while delivery links are also being established to cover the UK, Canada and Australia. Sports events covered by Irish TV include: Athletics Soccer