TV3 is to purchase Channel 6 from its founders and a consortium of investors for an undisclosed sum. The deal, expected to complete in Q3 this year, will first need approval from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.
Focussed on 15-34 year olds Channel 6 is the only non-subscription domestic digital channel in the Republic of Ireland. It already has distribution in 80% of multichannel homes over NTL-Chorus and Sky.
Launched in 2006 its programming slate includes a strong library of recent imports from the US including Heroes, My Name is Earl, Family Guy, CSI, The Sopranos, Sex and the City and Friends and some locally produced content.
With this week’s award of Ireland’s pay-TV multiplex to the Boxer-Communicorp consortium, TV3’s owners have purchased an instant digital sister channel that will be able to complement the schedule of the main channel.
TV3’s relationship with Doughty Hanson goes back to 2006 and the €264 million management buyout of Ireland’s national commercial network from CanWest and ITV.
