TWO of RTE'S most highly rated shows are beginning the new year with big holes in their pockets.

Flagship television programme The Late Late Show and Gerry Ryan's 2FM radio show are still without sponsors after months of trying to attract deals that would land more than €1m for the cash-strapped station.

But one presenter who will be celebrating the New Year safe in the knowledge that her show has strong financial backing is Marian Finucane.

The veteran radio host has secured a lucrative 12-month deal with Flora for her weekend radio programme.

The State broadcaster is facing a potential loss of more than €20m over the next year as overall advertising sales take a major hit.

The fact that two of its most popular shows cannot secure sponsors is said to be a serious concern for the broadcaster's accountants.

According to sources in the station, top brass do not want to drastically reduce the prices charged for the influential advertising slots but may be left with no choice unless somebody signs up soon.

Ryan's three-hour morning show on 2FM is the fifth most-listened to radio programme with 316,000 tuning in everyday.

He was rarely out of the media spotlight during the past year following the break-up of his marriage to Morah and the release of his autobiography.

Fall

However, efforts to attract a sponsor for a reputed €110,000 won't have been helped by the latest JNLR figures released in November, which showed he lost 11,000 listeners.

The Operation Transformation star is in good company though, as RTE stalwart Pat Kenny is also operating without big budget backing from an outside source.

Halifax ended its two-year €1.3m contract with The Late Late Show at the beginning of the summer and marketing people at Montrose have not yet been able to bring anyone new on board.

The Late Late Show attracts an audience of up to one million viewers every Friday night, but has been without a title sponsor for the entire season to date.

A station spokesperson has confirmed to the Herald that neither show has a sponsor but said that they "are currently considering expressions of interest".

Chat show rival Tubridy Tonight also found itself without a sponsor over the summer, after car brand Chevrolet bowed out following just one season.

However, The Sunday Times now has an advertising slot before the show and during each of the breaks.

The new Marian Finucane deal is thought to be worth in the region of €165,000, for which the low-fat spread brand will get 572 promotional slots on the show.

The spokesperson also noted that Fair City has recently signed a new sponsorship deal with Kellogg's, while popular shows Conversations with Eamon Dunphy, Weekend Sport and the Tubridy Radio Show all have sponsors.

- Kevin Doyle