Online savings bank RaboDirect has signed on as the new sponsor of The Marian Finucane Show for a 12-month period from this weekend, while the Saturday edition of programme will begin a new feature called Ask the Specialist that will run for the duration of the sponsorship.

Hyundai's six-month association with the RTÉ Radio 1 programme recently expired, while An Post ended its two-year deal in March.

Brokered on behalf of RaboDirect by Initiative Media, the deal includes the usual stings and sponsor-credited promos, as well as podcast sponsorship and a brand presence on the show’s home page.

The availability of the sponsorship was offered by RTÉ Media Sales earlier this year at an advertised price of €165,000 for a 12-month package or €90,000 for six months.

The 11am to 1pm weekend programme attracts a listenership of 363,000 on Saturdays, when it typically features a high-profile interview followed by a review of the week, and 349,000 on Sundays, when its format includes a newspaper review and panel discussion.

For the duration of the RaboDirect sponsorship, there will be a new segment on the Saturday show in which listeners will be invited to contact the show with suggested topics and an expert will then appear on the show to discuss it.

The programme feature is designed to tie in with RaboDirect’s new Savings Specialists marketing campaign.