AB
'TV3' was almost 10 years in the works, it didn't start until 1998 due to delays, court cases etc.
I always wondered since TG4 launched before TV3 (as T na G) why TV3 were allowed to call themselves Tv3?
'TV3' was almost 10 years in the works, it didn't start until 1998 due to delays, court cases etc.
RD
rdd
Founding member
They were were awarded their contract as far back as 1989. They had major trouble finding finance. They had their contract revoked in 1993 because they hadn't yet gone on air and had to take a JR to get it back.
At one stage they entered into an alliance with UTV but it was subject to a condition that UTV be removed from cable systems which the cable operators wouldn't play ball with. They only finally found funding in 1997 when Canwest Global came on board. (Granada joined the party later, in late 2000, and for its first three years TV3 relied very heavily on US imports and Channel 5 shows).
The reason TnaG became TG4 is directly related to a feeling by the latter that it had been "gazumped" for the third channel position, but if TV3 had its house in order it would have been on air first.
At one stage they entered into an alliance with UTV but it was subject to a condition that UTV be removed from cable systems which the cable operators wouldn't play ball with. They only finally found funding in 1997 when Canwest Global came on board. (Granada joined the party later, in late 2000, and for its first three years TV3 relied very heavily on US imports and Channel 5 shows).
The reason TnaG became TG4 is directly related to a feeling by the latter that it had been "gazumped" for the third channel position, but if TV3 had its house in order it would have been on air first.
RD
rdd
Founding member
Irish TV, the satellite channel aimed at Irish expats in the UK (but also confusingly trying to get on various ROI platforms) has today been put into examinership, the Irish version of administration (though unlike the latter the directors continue to exercise their powers). Far from getting onto Saorview it looks like the future is bleak unless new funding emerges, its existing backer appears to have decided not to commit any further funding.
CR
I don't think anyone thought it would be a runaway success - I think UTV Ireland is the perfect example of a what was essentially a vanity project that cost UTV its television business.
The only good thing about the news service was the female anchor who hopefully TV3 will or have snapped up
All this proves that 18 months is a lifetime in broadcast media. When UTV Ireland launched there were many who predicted their news service would resonate with the Irish population and that, coupled with Emmerdale and Corrie, would ultimately spell the end of TV3.
I don't think anyone thought it would be a runaway success - I think UTV Ireland is the perfect example of a what was essentially a vanity project that cost UTV its television business.
The only good thing about the news service was the female anchor who hopefully TV3 will or have snapped up
RD
rdd
Founding member
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2016/1116/832115-virgin-media-acquisition-of-utv-ireland-approved/
With the approvals in hand, Virgin Media's acquisition of UTV Ireland should close very shortly. Upon completion UTV Ireland will become part of TV3.
With the approvals in hand, Virgin Media's acquisition of UTV Ireland should close very shortly. Upon completion UTV Ireland will become part of TV3.
DV
2016 continues to depress
(if correct)
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Broadcaster Gay Byrne fears prostate cancer https://t.co/tPwEsv5oMH
— Virgin Media Three (@VirginMedia_3) November 21, 2016