Irish broadcaster TV3 today announced their upcoming Autumn 2013 schedule with a spectacular launch at their state-of-the-art Sony HD studio in Ballymount, as new Director of Content Jeff Ford promises to deliver over 2,252 hours of new home-grown programming across all genres, building on the 40% of programmes already produced.
Of the new schedule Ford said; “This autumn I want to give our audience a more uplifting experience and in the coming year, I will be commissioning even more home-produced programmes and relying less on acquired shows.”. These include a revamp of the station’s daytime schedule which sees the launch of new programme Late Lunch Live with Lucy Kennedy and Martin King, the axing of The Morning Show and Sybil Mulcahy moving onto the Midday team, now to be filmed infront of a live studio audience.
Other homegrown programming will include an increased emphasis on news, current affairs & documentaries such as GUBU, Challenging God with Vincent Browne, Prison Families, Sinn Féin, The Kennedy’s Irish Mafia, Ireland’s Tiger Raids, Black Widows and At Home with the Healy Raes, an insight into the life & family of former Irish politician Jackie Haley Rae.
"This autumn I want to give our audience a more uplifting experience and in the coming year, I will be commissioning even more home-produced programmes and relying less on acquired shows." Jeff Ford, Director of Content TV3
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Entertainment & Format programming also dominates the upcoming schedule, recognising the station’s “We Entertain!” mantra, with new additions to the airwaves including the first Irish Celebrity Apprentice; The Great Irish Bake Off presented by Anna Nolan; Midwives and Keith Barry: Brain Hacker.
Commenting on the launch today, David McRedmond CEO of TV3, said: “Our strength lies in our people and our passion for producing TV that not only entertains but also represents our audience. With our new Sony HD studio and plans to launch an innovative second screen app, we are Ireland’s TV broadcaster of the future.”
In addition, TV3 will also see the return of major Saturday night and Sunday night entertainment, with Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, X Factor, The Cube, Graham Norton, Dancing On Ice and Britain’s Got Talent. It will also continue its coverage of both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League culminating with the two finals in Lisbon and Turin respectively. Also featuring again this season will be live exclusive coverage of the All-Ireland Minor Football and Hurling Championship Finals.
TV3 will utilise its new HD studio with audience shows and continue to provide facilities to independent production companies from home and abroad. The HD studio has already been used by Tyrone Productions’ School Around The Corner for RTÉ and by 360 Productions’ Real Cool Stuff for BBC Worldwide.
View all the images from the TV3 Autumn Schedule launch here
