RTÉ has its sights on the export market

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has launched a new scheme to fund comedy shows that it might be able to sell abroad.

It has set up a scheme with the Irish Film Board to help finance scripted shows to follow the likes of  Bridget & Eamon (pictured), which was sold to UKTV, and the film The Young Offenders, which is being adapted into a BBC comedy.

But the shows already have to have producers on board, who must match RTÉ’s funding with investment from international distributors or broadcasters

RTÉ head of comedy Eddie Doyle said: 'We want to help bring the next generation of Irish comedy talent to the world. There are so many, extraordinarily talented writers, performers, producers and directors, coming out of Ireland at the moment, and at the same time, the appetite for Irish comedy, at home and abroad, has never been greater.’

And Dermot Horan, the broadcaster’s director of acquisitions and co-productions said: ‘We know comedy is a tough nut to crack, but when you do you can strike gold. This initiative will allow projects to develop and then go to fully broadcast pilots, where we can test their popular appeal.’

Initially ten shows will be selected for development,  then four will proceed to broadcast pilot – for which they will need to secure the additional funding  – from international sources); and finally, one of these pilots will proceed to a full series.

Proposals can be submitted via the RTÉ  webstite before the closing date of November 29.

Published: 27 Sep 2017