Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The UTV Ireland crew UTV Ireland

Poll: Have you been tuning into UTV Ireland?

Have you caught up with Pat since his return to Irish TV? Are you getting your nightly news fix from Alison and Chris?

AFTER ALMOST A year of drip-drip announcements, UTV Ireland finally took the the air on 1 January — causing almost instant consternation among some viewers, who had been hoping to watch a Batman film on the ‘old’ Julian Simmons-fronted channel, rather than a Pat Kenny-presented New Year documentary.

The latest addition to our broadcasting landscape has been steadily winning viewers since then, however.

Over its first week, it had an average audience share of 4.6 per cent — well above the 2.9 per cent UTV had south of the border in the same week last year (station bosses, of course, have their sights set much higher than that).

So. Have you been watching?


Poll Results:

No. (6548)
I miss the old station. Bring back Julian. (1917)
Just to catch the soaps. (1799)
Yes. Great channel. (952)
I've tuned into some home-produced shows. (873)

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
78 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Stapleton
    Favourite Martin Stapleton
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 8:27 AM

    Great to hear that small to medium firms could deliver 20,000 jobs however these small companies need to be paid on time for the services they provide and until legislation is in place to protect them the 20,000 jobs will be lost instead of created.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roy Scott
    Favourite Roy Scott
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 9:20 AM

    Spin the year out……could , should, would………

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john fox
    Favourite john fox
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 9:54 AM

    3 point plan . Every bit as good as the Famous 5 point plan .

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Mac
    Favourite Martin Mac
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 11:22 AM

    Yet you let the council increase rates by 100% which is closing down loads of business and creating mass losses in jobs then Kenny the coward ignores his promise to remove upwardly only rents. Why do people put up with these liars. Pure s.c.u.m

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ISBA
    Favourite ISBA
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 12:09 PM

    Best not to hold one’s breath on job creation. This government is already the worst in living memory -YES- and that includes the last one. They have broken every commitment, displayed unseemly incompetence and cowardice and are devoid of any leadership qualities. They are now pussyfooting with the next €3billion promissory note payment due in February. Taoiseach Kenny is a laughing stock all over Europe. Does anyone really believe the economy will grow and create jobs under this government. The SFA is just a lapdog for IBEC. It should break away from its powerful masters and begin to see the wood from the trees. It’s very masters in IBEC have driven Ireland’s cost base into the stratosphere not to mention its role in the banking collapse – the two principle impediments to job creation. Get a life SFA.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damien Flinter
    Favourite Damien Flinter
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 10:58 AM

    20,000 jobs possibly(these people seldom do pessimistic forecasting).

    80-100k emigrating, no figures for increasing disemployment due to austerity, and half a million already wasting away on breadlines to soupkitchens.

    This is the ‘government’s’ economic plan?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Byrne
    Favourite Declan Byrne
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 11:47 AM

    They could but will they very very unlikely with austerity at the heart of irish policy. Just more BS from government.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Byrne
    Favourite Declan Byrne
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 2:50 PM

    The domestic economy is in ruins. If you disagree you are either a blue shirt or in denial. I want this country to escape the gloom but lets be honest so far we are not doing a good job of it.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emmet
    Favourite Emmet
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 1:42 PM

    Well I think these guys should take a walk down any street in the country and see the state of retail Ireland not to mention the business parks etc. it’s not a pretty sight, I genuinely fear for the future of Ireland as one of our every growing population of ex pats…

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chino Moreno
    Favourite Chino Moreno
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 7:19 AM

    Would it not be quicker to get DPD to deliver the jobs rather than waiting for these small businesses to get set up .. Surely DPD know the best routes by now …. Eh oh right

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chino Moreno
    Favourite Chino Moreno
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 11:19 AM

    I do apologise for my apparent lack of humour … Or do 21 people work for fastway maybe …

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.