Liberty Global’s Virgin Media has agreed to buy the FTA broadcaster UTV Ireland from ITV for €10 million.
The purchase price is expected to be funded through existing liquidity and the agreement also includes a comprehensive 10-year output deal for Ireland for ITV produced programming.
The proposed transaction follows the successful acquisition of TV3 Group last year.
On completion of the acquisition, UTV Ireland, which is a general entertainment free-to-air channel available on Virgin Media, eir Vision, Vodafone, Sky and Saorview, will become part of Virgin Media.
Commenting on the deal, Tony Hanway, CEO of Virgin Media, said: “We are delighted to welcome UTV Ireland to the Virgin Media family. This investment demonstrates our commitment to provide great entertainment for Irish viewers and adds Ireland’s newest TV channel to our existing portfolio which includes TV3 and 3e. This is a very positive development for Irish broadcasting and ensures Virgin Media’s continued investment in top quality programming and local production.”
Pat Kiely, MD of TV3, added: “Today’s announcement represents an exciting new chapter for the Irish television industry. Virgin Media’s investment in TV3 has already supported the expansion of our studio facilities and increased production of originated content. The proposed acquisition of UTV Ireland will ensure further investment in the independent Irish television sector as we continue to compete head on against significant local and international competition.”
This acquisition will be subject to competition and regulatory approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as well as a separate media plurality test by the Irish Government.
It is expected to be cleared in the coming months.
UTV Ireland was launched on January 1, 2015. It was, along with UTV in Northern Ireland, officially transferred to ITV ownership on February 29 this year.
