The Late Late Show's dominance of the Friday night light entertainment market is set to be challenged by UTV's Kelly show - which is aiming to double its viewing figures in the South over the next five years.
The show's producers and star travelled to Cork yesterday to discuss the first Kelly to be broadcast from the city.
Speaking at the Cork Opera House, presenter, Gerry Kelly, said the programme can make significant inroads in to the Late Late Show audience.
"Pat Kenny has inherited a 30-year institution but we are constantly building our audience in the south of Ireland. I think our content is lighter than the Late Late. We don't go in for long debates."
Kelly said the show in Cork on October 26th is not just a PR exercise, designed solely to boost the show's appeal in the Republic.
"It is a natural progression for us to do a show in Cork. Cork is like a home away from home for UTV since we acquired 60 per cent of the city's leading radio stations, 96FM and 103FM last year."
He also denied quotes attributed to him in recent newspaper reports where he was said to have questioned Pat Kenny's talent as a television presenter.
"Pat has his strengths and is great at some issues. The article was blown all out of proportion. The rivalry with the Late Late is not personal."
Close to half a million viewers watch Gerry Kelly's show every Friday night. Of these, 100,000 are in the Republic where the show is broadcast to 70 per cent of homes.
The show in Cork will coincide with the jazz festival in the city and marks the programme's second visit to the Republic.
The Kelly show travelled to Dublin last year and has also broadcast from South Africa, Hong Kong, and New York.
The programme is in its 13th year and has hosted guests such as footballer George Best and country singer Garth Brooks.