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TV3 IS SET to relaunch UTV Ireland as a “female orientated” channel called Be3.
The announcement was made today at a media briefing in Dublin for the TV3 group’s plans for 2017.
In tandem with the launch of the new channel, the existing TV3 channels – the eponymous station and 3e – are to be given rebrands to position the channel as reaching to three specific demographics.
TV3 will be seen as the “grown ups channel” according to new Director of Programming Bill Malone (ex-RTÉ).
The rebrand will see all three channels likewise sporting new logos.
The formerly “unloved, underserved” 3e will become the “fun” channel, while Be3 will be “female focused” and incorporate family programming.
“TV3 will become the premium channel, the grown up channel, and 3e will become, well, what TV3 is now,” said Malone.
TV3 thus will show the group’s ‘flagship’ content, including Red Rock, Gogglebox Ireland, Celebrity Masterchef, and soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Current affairs programmes such as Tonight With Vincent Browne and Pat Kenny Tonight will likewise remain on the main channel.
3e’s rebrand as the group’s entertainment channel will see it play host to “ratings winners” like Big Brother, I’m a Celebrity, Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross.
Be3 meanwhile, as part of its “female focus” will be showing second viewings of the soaps, together with shows such as Midsomer Murders, Loose Women, and Benidorm.
The group’s daily three hours of children’s programming will also move to the new station.
News output across all three channels will be delivered by a new centralised “news hub” called, not surprisingly, 3News Ireland.
A third studio is also set to be opened on the station’s Ballymount campus in January.
The rebrands announced today were widely flagged in advance.
TV3 Group officially acquired the troubled UTV Ireland last week. Malone could not be drawn on the details of the redundancies that are expected to hit the station.
Employees of the station have been briefed as to what their future holds and what opportunities may be available, Malone said.
As a “consultation process” with those employees is under way it would not be appropriate to discuss the issue further, he said.
“Staff have been briefed and press releases have put everything on public record, but I’m very mindful and respectful of the situation of those UTV Ireland employees,” Malone added.
Malone could not be drawn on whether or not a number of new roles available at TV3 are likely to be filled by UTV Ireland employees.
UTV Ireland will cease broadcasting on 8 January, with Be3 launching the following day.
If only the kitchen was slightly bigger.
Yeah, I was considering buying it till I saw that. I mean, what’s the point in buying a house where me, Mr Shalakalananaka, my 15 kids, my 36 kids, my great-grandkids and my cats can’t all spin around like helicopters in the kitchen without touching each other and knocking over dishes?
wifi is awful in these places. walls are too thick for a decent signal. does my head in. ill never live in a castle again
I don’t get the red thumbs, I was being genuine.
Mrs Shalakalananaka, if you want us to believe you’re genuine telling us you have 51 kids isn’t the way to go about it!
15 kids
You backwards reading twit …. And that’s no way to speak to a lady.
“my 15 kids, my 36 kids” add em together you’ve got 51
Nice save hardly !! Nice save indeed.
thank’s nelg !!
Oh feckballs, I meant 36 grandkids. 51 kids, Jesus, I couldn’t think of anything worse. xD The 15 I have are bad enough (only messing, I love my little angels!).
Thank you for looking out for me, Glen. You are a true gentleman, rare in this day and age, but no less adored. <3
Glen, every single story you post. Go get a pint or something, jeez…
So what, he can post if he wants Chinaski. No need to be a biznatch about it.
i’m buying it on wednesday after i win the euromillions on tuesday…
Id buy to let it out only the law now says ive to accept rent allowance
The broadband is dial up though, or eircom as it’s known
If I won the Euro lotto I would by it.
Yeah very nice but how many bedrooms? I’ve a family to consider.
Dunno why you’d bother when for just a million more you could have a 4 bed semi-d with on street parking in south county Dublin
nice place for someone deserving
Not even one topic,not even one !!!!!!.
you appear to be upset about something mike?
Yeah Mike what’s upsetting you Mike ;)
they mustnt take rent allowance…
Oh look,the other cheek of the arse.
The circle is complete.
you must have the mother of all hangovers mike your like a briar :D
That’s how harry price likes him
I actually hope Mr Price takes my advice and reports you to twitter with a view to suing you for bullying and slander.
You really are a clown aren’t you.
I hope he does too :)
who exactly am i supposed to be bullying and slandering? why do you have to persistently insult people. you don’t agree with me, i get it, that is your choice, but disagreeing isn’t enough for you you have embarked on some personal vendetta and are now ranting about slander and other such nonsense.
I’m not talking about you , you overestimate your importance on the planet.
You gillwhoever are nothing but a mild irritation.
Cool, I was just asking
have your say