UTV To Create New Irish Television Channel

UTV has announced that they are planning to create a new television channel in the Republic of Ireland. According to reports this morning an application will be made to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland later today. The broadcaster is hoping to include an hour-long news and current affairs show as part of the schedule for the channel which is due to launch in early 2015 and will be based in Dublin. The news follows an agreement which will give UTV the exclusive broadcasting rights for soaps, including Coronation Street and Emmerdale, in the country. Speaking about it John McCann, Group Chief Executive of UTV Media plc, said: “The audience has known the UTV brand for more than 50 years through our station in Northern Ireland... We look forward to building on that success with the launch of a new Irish TV channel.” It is thought the new channel will create 100 jobs throughout the country with offices also in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick.