1978 in Irish television
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- January – The controversial secondary school drama The Spike goes on air. It was pulled from the schedule following a nude scene in Episode 5 which sparked criticism from Irish conservatives, and has never been retransmitted.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
- March – George T. Waters is appointed as Director-General of RTÉ.[7]
- 2 November – Ireland's second television channel, RTÉ 2 goes on air.[7] The opening night features a variety gala performance from the Cork Opera House and the 1968 film Bullitt.[8]
- 6 November – The UK soap Coronation Street is aired for the first time on RTÉ 2. It had previously only been available to those who could receive UTV or HTV Wales.
Debuts
RTÉ 1
- January – The Spike (1978)
- 29 April –
Fables of the Green Forest (1973) - 11 September –
Hong Kong Phooey (1974–1975) - 25 October –
The Clifton House Mystery (1978) - 24 December – Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (1978)
RTÉ 2
- 2 November – RTÉ News on Two (1978–present)
- 3 November – The Upchat Line (1977)
- 3 November – Armchair Thriller (1978–1980)
- 3 November – The Voyage of Charles Darwin (1978)
- 4 November – Rumpole of the Bailey (1975, 1978–1992)
- 4 November – Mind Your Language (1977–1979)
- 4 November – Sha Na Na (1977–1981)
- 4 November – Bruce Forsyth's Big Night (1978, 1980)
- 6 November – Coronation Street (1960–present)
Changes of network affiliation
| Shows | Moved from | Moved to |
|---|---|---|
 The Great Grape Ape Show |
RTÉ 1 | RTÉ 2 |
Ongoing television programmes
- RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock (1961–present)
- RTÉ News: Six One (1962–present)
- The Late Late Show (1962–present)
- The Riordans (1965–1979)
- Quicksilver (1965–1981)
- Wanderly Wagon (1967–1982)
- Hall's Pictorial Weekly (1971–1980)
- Sports Stadium (1973–1997)
- Trom agus Éadrom (1975–1985)
- The Late Late Toy Show (1975–present)
Ending this year
- Undated – The Spike (1978)