The following is a list of events relating to television in Ireland from 1988.
Events
30 April – Ireland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest from the RDS Simmonscourt Pavilion, Dublin, after winning it the previous year. Pat Kenny and Michelle Rocca host the 33rd annual contest, which is won by Switzerland, with the song "Ne partez pas sans moi" (Don't Leave Without Me), sung by a 20-year-old Celine Dion. The Irish entry, "Take Him Home", by the band Jump the Gun, ends in eighth place. 3 July – The Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Act, legislation concerning licensing for broadcasting, comes into law. September – RTÉ 2 is rebranded as Network 2 as part of a major overhaul of the channel. 3 October – Australian soap Home and Away receives its Irish television debut on Network 2. On the same day, a new-look RTÉ Weather is launched.
Debuts
RTÉ 1 4 March – / A Little Princess (1986) 7 April – Fireman Sam (1987–present) 8 April – The Gemini Factor (1987) 10 June – The Secret World of Polly Flint (1987) 11 June – / Ovide Video (1987–1988) 5 July – Chocky's Challenge (1986) 13 July – Kaboodle (1987–1990) 6 August – The Raccoons (1985–1991) 15 October – Kenny Live (1988–1999) Undated – DuckTales (1987–1990) Bibi (1988-1994)
Network 2 1 May – Jim Henson Presents the World of Puppetry (1985) September – Jo Maxi (1988–1993) 3 October – Home and Away (1988–present) 6 October – / The Care Bears Family (1986–1988) 6 October – /// Once Upon a Time... Life (1987) 6 October – The Floradora Folk (1988–1989) 11 October – Nighthawks (1988–1992) 28 October – T-Bag (1985–1992) 1 December – / The Mysterious Cities of Gold (1982–1983) Undated – The Tracey Ullman Show (1987–1990) Undated – The Storyteller (1987–1988) Undated - Full House (1987-1995)
Endings
RTÉ 1 29 April - Evening Extra (1986-1988)
Changes of network affiliation Shows Moved from Moved to SuperTed RTÉ One Network 2 / The Campbells RTÉ One Network 2 Alvin and the Chipmunks (Ruby Spears version) Network 2 RTÉ One Muppet Babies RTÉ One Network 2 Dempsey's Den RTÉ One Network 2 Bosco RTÉ One Network 2 The Wuzzles RTÉ One Network 2 / The Berenstain Bears RTÉ One Network 2 ALF RTÉ One Network 2
Ongoing television programmes
1960s RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock (1961–present) RTÉ News: Six One (1962–present) The Late Late Show (1962–present)
1970s Sports Stadium (1973–1997) The Late Late Toy Show (1975–present) RTÉ News on Two (1978–2014) Bosco (1979–1996) The Sunday Game (1979–present)
1980s Today Tonight (1982–1992) Mailbag (1982–1996) Glenroe (1983–2001) Rapid Roulette (1986–1990) Live at 3 (1986–1997) Saturday Live (1986–1999) Questions and Answers (1986–2009) Dempsey's Den (1986–2010) Marketplace (1987–1996) Where in the World? (1987–1996) Know Your Sport (1987–1998)
See also 1988 in Ireland
References