Miriam O'Callaghan's husband 'excited' to be joining RTÉ as part of new leadership team

Miriam O'Callaghan's husband is among two newly announced senior hires at RTÉ 

Steve Carson - who has been married to RTÉ star O'Callaghan for the past 24 years - will join RTÉ's Leadership Team as Director of Video following a public competition. 

Carson, who was formerly the Director of Programmes for RTÉ and Head of Productions at BBC Northern Ireland, currently leads all the BBC's TV, radio and online teams across Scotland as Director of BBC Scotland. 

He joins Patricia Monahan (Director of Audio) as one of the new faces hired by Director-General of RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst. 

Speaking today (July 1), Bakhurst said, "The Director of Video, along with the Director of Audio, will be two pivotal positions in the reshaping and transformation of RTÉ."

Bakhurst praised Carson's "exceptional experience" and "track record of creativity", stating, "Steve’s proven skills will help us to craft and execute a comprehensive editorial strategy across all of RTÉ’s television stations and RTÉ Player. 

"Compelling content, sustainably produced, is at the heart of RTÉ’s new strategy, and Steve’s shrewd editorial judgment, honed through his many senior leadership roles in editorial, production and content delivery, will position Public Service principles at the heart of everything we make in RTÉ and with our partners in the independent production sector."

Speaking about his new role, Carson said, "I’m excited to be joining Kevin’s new leadership team in RTÉ this autumn. I have been blessed to work with a brilliant team in BBC Scotland, helping to support programme-makers to make great work for our audiences.

"I’m looking forward to doing the same with the world class creative talent that we have in Ireland as we focus on delivering the ambitious New Direction strategy." 

Monahan will take responsibility for the development and editorial management of RTÉ’s audio and digital-audio services, including the programming of our four FM radio stations– RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and RTÉ lyric fm, alongside digital, online, and podcasting services.

Bakhurst described her as "an invaluable addition" to the team thanks to her "unique ability to interpret audience insights".