Irish TV has officially become Ireland’s first international channel with the signing of a contract with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). The new local and international channel targeting the global Irish diaspora began broadcasting in May and now become an official broadcaster in Ireland under a Section 71 content contract. A poll of 1,019 adults by Red C in July showed that one in five Irish people have watched Irish TV.
The channel’s County Matters sees each of the 32 counties with a half-hour programme every week. The autumn schedule launched over 1,000 hours of home-produced programmes. Homes in Ireland, UK and Europe have access to Irish TV on Sky TV 191, Freesat 400, Eircom’s eVision 191 and online at irishtv.com. Irish TV is in negotiations with UPC, while the channel is due to be available throughout the US, Asia and Australia.
Irish TV boss Pierce O’Reilly is pictured at the signing of the contract with BAI chief executive Michael O’Keeffe and head of BAI’s contract awards, Ciaran Kissane
