rté one () is a television channel in ireland. it is the main tv channel of raidió teilifís éireann (rté). it is the most popular channel in ireland. it started in 31 december 1961 and was called "telefís éireann". it was the first tv channel in ireland. it was called "rté" from 1966, and "rté 1" from 1978 when rté 2 started. the channel was only in black and white between 1961 and 1968. from 1968, some programmes were broadcast in pal colour.