As for the TV3 group, or whatever they're becoming, Irish language programming just isn't commercially viable. They have 3 channels and not one second of programming is or has ever been in the Irish language.
To give an example of TV3 commitment to the Irish Language, there was an episode of Moone Boy on SKY 1 in 2014 where about 3 to 4 minutes of it was in Irish. This almost certainly meant that SKY 1 had more Irish Language programming that year than TV3.
They did have a minute in Irish once a week while Gráinne Seoige worked there. It was literally a minute in Irish. As soon as she left in 2004 that was the end of that.
From my recent experience of watching the TV3 Group channels, there are token home commissions which are wrapped around ITV and C5 shows from the UK.
Ireland AM isn't too bad, at least it doesn't try and pretend to be newsy like GMB, leaving the news to a 3 News branded bulletin. There are inane fashion segments in at least every other edition, although I find the combo of three middle aged men and a younger woman a bit odd for what is obviously a female skewed show.
The weekend editions of AM seem more targeted, where the lifestyle format works a lot better. The presenters also seem at least under 50! 3 News bulletins also feature.
The 6 O'Clock Show appears to be The One Show stripped bare without the VT's to pad it out, so lots of dull chat with the guests. Same format night after night with a cookery slot at the end of the running order. However, co-presenter Muireann has the potential to cross over to British tv.
Xpose. Really basic set with two presenters who are largely out speaking to celebs or showbiz news. Liquid News was a lot better than this nonsense!
However I can't fault 3 News (aired on TV3 during daytime and Be3 evenings), really focused and not stuck in a time warp like RTÉ.
Do they still have many American imports in the schedule? I’m assuming they’re just shown as is and there aren’t any Irish subtitles on screen during them or anything like that? Presumably imports bring in larger audiences than many of their original shows and are used as a money spinner.
From memory, only some Irish programmes have on screen English subtitles, if they don't, English subtitles are sometimes available on 888. Vice versa for English programmes and Irish subtitles.
To provide an Irish language TV service with limited funds in a creative way. The general agreement in media circles that it has succeeded in doing this. They also have managed to give the Irish language greater exposure by showing sports with Irish language commentary. There's not too much it can do about it's generally low ratings for the simple reason most people in Ireland don't speak Irish. For those that do and those that are interested in Irish Culture, it fulfils its remit.
On top of that, it's been very inventive when it comes to Programming. Any funds spent on Foreign purchases would have hit the mark more often that RTE who just buy as much as possible and then show it at 2am in the morning.
As for sports, TG4 gave coverage to sports that RTE and TV3 wouldn't look at. Some of these (such as club GAA games/Womens football) are very popular. Because of this, there has been the rare Sunday when TG4 has the top-rated show on Irish TV for the day.
I take your point however TG4 has no other option but to do this to survive.
If RTE or TV3 showed any of these or undertook more Irish language programming... TG4 could be toast.
My worry would be that if the rumour is true this could happen...... especially on Virgin Media Cable....
RTE1
RTE2
VM1
VM2
VM3
TG4
Somebody obviously doesn't understand the system in Ireland, a little explanation.
TG4 is very much supported by RTE, they provide the news service of TG4, at no cost to TG4. In many ways, TG4 took RTE's own Irish language programming which had aired on RTE's channels prior to TG4's launch, and massively increased it. It wouldn't be in RTE's interests to destroy TG4.
As for the TV3 group, or whatever they're becoming, Irish language programming just isn't commercially viable. They have 3 channels and not one second of programming is or has ever been in the Irish language.
If somehow TG4 ended, it would be RTE and RTE alone that would have to pick up the pieces and probably create a new version of the channel.
I know all of this. I was thinking up a worst case scenario in this instance.
I take your point however TG4 has no other option but to do this to survive.
If RTE or TV3 showed any of these or undertook more Irish language programming... TG4 could be toast.
My worry would be that if the rumour is true this could happen...... especially on Virgin Media Cable....
RTE1
RTE2
VM1
VM2
VM3
TG4
Somebody obviously doesn't understand the system in Ireland, a little explanation.
TG4 is very much supported by RTE, they provide the news service of TG4, at no cost to TG4. In many ways, TG4 took RTE's own Irish language programming which had aired on RTE's channels prior to TG4's launch, and massively increased it. It wouldn't be in RTE's interests to destroy TG4.
As for the TV3 group, or whatever they're becoming, Irish language programming just isn't commercially viable. They have 3 channels and not one second of programming is or has ever been in the Irish language.
If somehow TG4 ended, it would be RTE and RTE alone that would have to pick up the pieces and probably create a new version of the channel.
I know all of this. I was thinking up a worst case scenario in this instance.
And you went way overboard. Your worst case scenario is never gonna happen. The Irish government will merge TG4 with RTE before TG4 would ever actually close.
3News at Ten on be3 crashed out of a VT about the Grammy's to go live to the Irish PM's statement about the abortion referendum to then cut back to Claire Brock who signed off and then went into a trailer for Tipping Point and then Corrie!
Winning Streak, a game show which involves no skill or talent, where 5 "players" from across the country get the chance to win a fortune, but always seem to be the most ungrateful bunch of people you could ever get on a game show. They pocket thousands of euros in tax free cash, as well as luxury holidays and cars, and they act as if they won a fiver on a scratchcard. Just my opinion from what I have seen of Winning Streak over the years.
The other way around, I would have thought; Winning Streak has been running since 1990, long before the U.K. Lottery even began (though there was an attempt to relegate it to a summer show a few years back that didn’t work out). The reason it is a game of pure chance is precisely because of its Lottery association. Their license does not allow them to run anything that might be categorised as a game of skill.
Yes. All games on Winning Streak are based purely on luck and chance - whereas our Big Ticket show ran aground, because Ofcom wanted some part of skill involved.
With Winning Streak, You buy a scratchcard and if you get three TV symbols (IIRC) you send the adjudicated winning scratchcard into a pre paid envelope at the lottery retailer, and winning envelopes are pulled out at the end of the show to get next week's contestants.
I remember Marty Wheelan saying once, that the winning scratchcard holder, if drawn out, does not have to play any of the games and can nominate a friend/relative to play for them.