TV3 new DOG/Idents and Channel 6 becomes 3e

According to upc.ie, Channel 6 will be renamed as 3e as and from Jan 5th. Bit of a strange name and really breaks the numbering we've had to date on Irish Channels:
RTE1, RTE2, TV3, TG4, CITY, Channel 6, CITY 7 (soon) and Setenta.

The channel lineup also shows a new logo for both 3e and TV3. The new TV3 logo if used reflects that which is currently in use for TV3 news.

http://www.upc.ie/images/content/television/logos/3e.jpg
http://www.upc.ie/images/content/television/logos/tv3.jpg

Channel 6 have been running a teaser trailer for this which I caught today featuring a dancing "e". The trailer did not mention what the new name would be (although we have known about the TV3e name since before Christmas thanks to media reports) but mentioned that old relaibles would be staying.

A TV3 rebrand however, is news to me... would fit with the TV3 News branding though. TV3's core logo is now ten years old so its about time for a change at this stage...

I don't think 3e sounds right, they would have been better with TV6, not to be confused with Viasat's TV3 and TV6 across the continent.

It's just iTV3e, going to be a shedload of Hollyoaks, ITV2 extra programmes and omnibuses.

Between both channels, emmerdale is shown a whopping 5 times, 4 catch up repeats. No need for that. All of Saturday afternoon is the emmerdale again. So every single ep is shown up to 6 times a week. I shall be turning off. We now know what the "e" in 3e stands for "3emmerdale"

Sunday Business Post today reporting that TV3 is indeed getting a new look as well as the launch of 3e. So I'd imagine they are changing their logo after all...

Their new website is http://3e.tv3.ie/

Yes, TV3 will be re-branded with new logo, look and feel during the 5:30 news later today. 3e comes on air just after 10am.

I'd argue the opposite. It's ten years old now and should not be disposed of lightly, especially for something as dull as what seems to be coming in today. Anyone could think up a right-aligned figure 3 in a box; at least the current logo has some originality. It's possible this new logo could be implemented well in idents but if the current news titles are anything to go by they'll be woeful.

As for 3e, wtf? They've clearly struggled not to rip off what Channel 4 does (e4, more4, film4) and settled on putting the letter e on the other side of the three. The ident (hopefully it's not one) on the 3e website is dire ("let's give the e a zany personality, that's never been done before") and looks incredibly cheap. I realise the branding of a sister channel is a tough one, but this is really not good. Hopefully what's on that website is not what will appear on screen.

I was afraid of that.

Well looking back at TV3's previous efforts, i think they were also built on a shoestring budget (especially the last one). Look at the cut and paste job on the website's header for example.

Also why did they ditch popscene? Even though the presenter was bloody annoying, it was the only music channel-ish we had during the day on Irish Cable. Must of been one of Channel 6's highest rating programmes I'd say.

Well here is the full press release about the rebrand and relaunch of both TV3 and 3e.

TV3 INTRODUCES NEW ON-AIR BRANDING AND A NEW IDENTITY FOR CHANNEL 6

• TV3 rebranded with a modern, contemporary look
• Channel 6 becomes 3e and is repositioned as a sibling channel to TV3
• Both channels supported by award-winning online service TV3.ie

On Monday January 5th 2009 both TV3 and Channel 6 unite with a new identity marking the expansion of the biggest commercial broadcaster in the country.

Following TV3’s acquisition of Channel 6 in late 2008, this move sees the two channels revamped and positioned as complementary in both programming and scheduling. The new brand identity has evolved to link the three channels that now make up the TV3 group – TV3, 3e and TV3.ie.

The new look for TV3 will appear for the first time during the first ad break of the News at 5.30 on January 5th 2009.

The new 3e channel will be on-air from early morning on January 5th.

TV3

The latest branding for TV3 is a strong, confident expression of what the channel stands for – a contemporary, indigenous channel which will stand out in an increasingly busy digital media environment. It reflects a channel that has come of age in the last 12 months, with strong home produced content and ground breaking documentary strands, including Dirty Money (302,000/22.1 share), Me and the Big C (175,000/11.9 share), The Apprentice (281,000/18.0 share), Nightly News with Vincent Browne (91,000/9.8 share), Xposé (78,000/7.8 share) and the GAA Championship when over 1.9 million viewers tuned in to the ten games. In 2008, TV3 remained the second most watched channel in Ireland, posting an 11.9% share for Adults15+ and registering an audience share 11% higher than its nearest rival. TV3 ended the year on a high with Saturday December 13th being the strongest performing day of 2008 with a 19.3% Adult15+ share, making TV3 the most watched station in Ireland. (*Figures based on series average for Individuals)

3e

3e is the new name for Channel 6 – the ‘e’ stands for entertainment. It is a sibling channel strongly aligned with TV3 through its programming and scheduling. The focus of 3e is on pure entertainment, reflected in the bright, jovial personality of the channel. It offers viewers a unique opportunity to see their favourite programmes on an Irish channel. The most popular programmes such as Sex and the City, Heroes, CSI and The Sopranos will remain but the schedule will be refreshed ensuring that TV3 and 3e are fully complementary combining unique and originated programming with a blend of popular drama, comedy and entertainment shows.

3e will also offer TV3 follow-on programming and extra entertainment programming such as The Apprentice: You’re Fired, The Xtra Factor and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here Now! Over the next twelve months the 3e schedule will develop in parallel with TV3’s to offer the best slate of commercial broadcasting across two channels.

Background

Over the past ten years TV3 has evolved from a single free to air channel to a successful suite of digital media services, beginning with the acquisition of Channel 6 last summer and followed by the launch of the award winning website, www.tv3.ie in October 2008. Since TV3 first went on air, both the television market and audience viewing habits have changed significantly with the arrival of numerous channels across the digital spectrum. While people are watching more television they are also watching more channels making it difficult to build loyalty. The combined proposition of TV3 and 3e creates the strongest offering for Irish television audiences and their entertainment needs.

Both will be supported by the award winning website, TV3.ie, which offers catch-up programming, up-to-date News and Sport and entertainment.

David McRedmond, Chief Executive of TV3 Group, said:

“The creation of a single brand across TV3, the new 3e and TV3.ie marks a coming-of-age as TV3 migrates from a single old terrestrial channel to become a broad-based indigenous digital broadcaster. The employees of TV3 and its shareholders have worked hard to deliver this strategy, and we now look forward to the support of the Government and the Regulator to deliver growth in a difficult market.”

Ben Frow, Director of Programming, TV3 Group, said:

“The TV3 group gives us a further opportunity to offer Irish viewers even more great programmes with its mix of familiar favourites, follow on shows, extra programming and unique, originated series. 3e promises to be a one stop shop for the best in entertainment and drama.”

Please find attached files of the new TV3 and 3e logos in various formats. Also attached is a video file of the animated TV3 and 3e logos as they will appear on screen from January 5th 2009.

Images of TV3 on-air personalities with the new logos are also available from MacInnes Photography at 01 661 0215 and info@mip.ie.

*Source: AGB Nielsen Media Research Ltd.

Ends.

For further information:

TV3 Press Office
+353 1 419 3426 / 36 / 30
Deirdre Walsh +353 86 836 1444
publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie

Both channels have now relaunched. New Idents, DOGs etc. The DOGS are exactly as posted above. So far the new TV3 looks good, but we're only 30mins into it.