UTV Media has announced plans to launch a new Irish TV channel that will create more than 100 jobs. The company, which holds the ITV franchise in Northern Ireland, has submitted an application to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).
Key to the channel is an agreement with ITV Studios Global Entertainment, which will give UTV the exclusive broadcasting rights for ITV Studios programmes for the Republic of Ireland audience, including popular soaps Coronation Street (pictured) and Emmerdale from early 2015, once appropriate statutory broadcasting licences are in place.
The loss of the shows will be a blow to the national Irish broadcaster TV3, which currently holds the rights to the UK content.
John McCann, Group Chief Executive, UTV Media plc said: “The audience in Ireland has known the UTV brand for more than 50 years through our station for Northern Ireland and we’re delighted to announce our plans for a new dedicated channel for viewers in the Republic of Ireland. Today’s announcement represents a strong vote of confidence in Irish broadcasting and our investment in the Irish economy.”
The new channel will be based in Dublin with additional newsgathering and reporting presence in
Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick.
The channel will be on air in early 2015.
