The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland today, Thursday, 27th February, signed a television content provision contract with UTV Ireland Limited, under Section 71 of the Broadcasting Act.
The contract was signed by Bob Collins, Chairperson and Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive, on behalf of the BAI and by John McCann, Group Chief Executive, UTV Media Plc and Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV Television, on behalf of UTV Ireland Limited, at the Authority’s offices in Dublin.
Today’s signing of the contract is a culmination of the process that started on November 6th last when UTV Ireland announced that it was applying for a licence under Section 71 of the 2009 Act. Then on February 6th, the BAI announced that it was entering into contract negotiations with UTV Ireland.
Based in Dublin, ‘UTV Ireland’ will be a general entertainment channel. Its schedule will initially include a nightly news and current affairs programme (Monday to Thursday), together with a range of acquired documentary, drama and film content. It is envisaged that the new service will commence broadcasting 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 BAI also launched their new Strategy Statement 2014 – 2016 on Monday which sets out a number of objectives for the next three years and include seven strategy goals.
