BAI Sign Content Contract With UTV

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) have signed a broadcasting content contract with "UTV Ireland". UTV announce in November that it was to seek a licence from the BAI to begin broadcasting in the Republic of Ireland, after it successfully bought the rights to key ITV shows, such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

The channel will be a general entertainment channel based in Dublin. Irish programming will included a news service and a current affairs shows, Monday to Thursday. It will also air a range of acquired programming. It is expected that the service will begin airing in January 2015.

Speaking about the contract signing, BAI Chairperson, Bob Collins said, “Today’s contract signing with UTV Ireland Limited is to be welcomed, particularly for the additional choice and increased diversity of content that it will offer to Irish viewers. The company is well known to the BAI as a contractor for several radio services operating in the State. The Authority wishes the company every success with its television venture in this jurisdiction”.

John McCann, Group Chief Executive, UTV Media plc said:

"We are delighted to sign today’s contract with the BAI and look forward to bringing Irish viewers a fantastic new TV channel in January 2015. UTV Ireland will follow UTV’s existing winning formula of combining high quality news, current affairs, entertainment and drama. Today’s announcement represents a strong vote of confidence by UTV in Irish broadcasting and our investment in the Irish economy."

Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV Television said:

"Our plans for UTV Ireland are now well under way and we look forward to announcing more exciting programming in the coming months. UTV Ireland will create more than 100 new jobs with its offices based in Dublin backed up by additional newsgathering and reporting presence in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick."