UPC have confirmed they have purchased broadcaster TV3 for €80 million.
“We’re pleased to welcome TV3 to the Liberty Global family,” Magnus Ternsjo, CEO of UPC Ireland said.
“The investment we are making today secures the long-term future of TV3,
Deal: TV3 has been bought by UPC Ireland | BRIAN MCEVOY
“With it’s wide range of home-grown programming, TV3 holds a unique place in the heart of Irish viewers,” he added.
“This is a terrific addition to the TV service we offer – which is already the best in Ireland.”
The news comes after a tough year in TV3 when in January they lost their contract with ITV to air top soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
New station UTV Ireland launched in the same month taking the deal as popular shows such as The Cube and The Graham Norton Show.
Red Rock: The stations soap Red Rock has an average of 206,000 viewers | TV3
In response to losing big shows TV3 developed their own soap Red Rock which has an average of 206,000 viewers but some episodes dropped closer to 100,000.
Just last month TV3 failed to bring in large numbers for their broadcast of the IFTAs.
The award ceremony lost over 274,000 viewers when it switched from RTE to TV3 with only 108,900 people tuning in.
The station lost the ratings battle that night to UTV Ireland with Pat Kenny’s in The Round.
IFTAs: The IFTA’s failed to bring in numbers to the station | KYRAN O’BRIEN
The special starring Shane Filan brought in 143,000 viewers.
But new formats are now expected in TV3 to boost ratings.
Already this year Lucy Kennedy’s version of Blind Date was scrapped as well as Jason Byrne’s Snaptastic Show.
With UPC’s investment industry insiders are hoping for bigger and better shows.
Scrapped: Lucy Kennedy’s Blind date reboot was scrapped earlier this year | VIPIRELAND.COM
“UPC coming on board is a huge deal,” a TV insider told Goss.ie.
“Tv3 are entering a new era now and they will be focusing on getting strong shows on air, pushing ahead with red rock and putting more emphasis on home made content.
“A shake up within TV3 is expected in the coming months so there will be some changes all around,” the source added.
