Virgin Media Three: Difference between revisions
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#REDIRECT [[be3]] |
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{{Use Irish English|date=August 2018}} |
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{{Infobox TV channel |
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| name = Virgin Media Three |
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| logofile = |
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| logosize = 200px |
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| logocaption = |
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| launch = January 1, 2015 as UTV Ireland<br> August 30, 2018 as Virgin Media Three |
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| closed = |
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| share = 2.5% {{profit}} |
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| share as of = December 2017 |
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| share source = |
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| network = [[Virgin Media Television]] |
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| owner = [[Virgin Media Ireland]] |
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| slogan = |
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| country = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] |
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| broadcast area = |
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| former names = UTV Ireland <small>(2015–2016)</small> <br> be3<small>(2017-2018)</small> |
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| replaced names = 3e |
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| sister names = [[Virgin Media One]] <br> [[Virgin Media Two]] <br> [[Virgin Media Sport]] |
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| picture format = [[576i]] ([[16:9]] [[Standard-definition television|SDTV]])<br>[[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]]) |
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| terr serv 1 = [[Saorview]] |
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| terr chan 1 = Channel 6 |
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| sat serv 1 = [[Sky Ireland|Sky]]<br><small>(Ireland)</small> |
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| sat chan 1 = Channel 116 |
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| cable serv 1 = [[Virgin Media Ireland|Virgin Media]]<br><small>(Ireland)</small> |
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| cable chan 1 = Channel 106<br />Channel 148 (HD) |
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| sat radio serv 1 = |
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| sat radio chan 1 = |
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| adsl serv 1 = [[Eir (telecommunications)|eir Vision]] |
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| adsl chan 1 = Channel 108 |
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| online serv 1 = Virgin Media Player |
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| online chan 1 = [https://www.virginmediatv.ie/en/live-channels/live-channel.html/770396711194/location/6651943228 Watch live]<br><small>(Ireland only)</small> |
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| online serv 2 = |
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| online chan 2 = [https://www.virginmediatv.ie Watch live]<br><small>(Ireland only)</small> |
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| web = |
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}} |
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'''Virgin Media Three''' is a free-to-air digital television channel in the [[Republic of Ireland]] operated by [[Virgin Media Television]], a subsidiary of [[Virgin Media Ireland]]<ref>http://www.tv3.ie/xpose/article/news/274482/Virgin-Media-Television-announces-NEW-season-schedule</ref>. The channel has a broad mix of general entertainment programming. The channel replaced '''Be3''' (formally UTV Ireland) on August 30, 2018<ref>http://www.tv3.ie/xpose/article/news/274482/Virgin-Media-Television-announces-NEW-season-schedule</ref>. |
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==History== |
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Pior to the rebrand to Virgin Media Three; the channel was previously UTV Ireland (then owned by UTV Television) and for a short period Be3 (TV3 Group). |
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On 6 November 2013, UTV Ireland's then owner, UTV Media, announced its subsidiary, UTV Ireland Ltd, would launch a new television channel targeting audiences within the Republic of Ireland and obtained a licence for a 'Content Provision Contract' from the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland]]. UTV launched the channel following their acquisition of Republic of Ireland broadcasting rights to key programming from ITV Studios Global Entertainment, including ''[[Emmerdale]]'', ''[[Coronation Street]]'' and ''[[The Jeremy Kyle Show]]''. [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]] previously held the rights until December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/business/blow-to-tv3-as-utv-plans-to-enter-television-market-29731761.html |title=Blow to 3 as UTV plans to launch TV station here |publisher=Independent.ie |date=6 November 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref> |
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The announcement of the channel was welcomed by then [[Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources|Minister for Communications]], [[Pat Rabbitte|Pat Rabbitte TD]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/the-irish-times/pat-rabbitte-welcomes-utv-move |title=Pat Rabbitte welcomes UTV move by The Irish Times |publisher=SoundCloud |date=6 November 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref> and TV3's CEO David McRedmond welcomed the channels launch saying it is good news for the independent sector and all money that was spent on ITV programming by TV3 can be reinvested elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kelly |first=Louise |url=http://www.newstalk.ie/UTV-announces-plans-for-new-Irish-TV-channel |title=Newstalk - UTV hopes to use radio network to contribute to Irish TV channel |publisher=Newstalk |date=6 November 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref> In January 2014 ''The Sunday Times'' reported that 3 had launched a lobbying campaign against the establishment of UTV Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|last=McCaughren|first=Samantha |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/article1361699.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2014_01_11|title=TV3 will oppose UTV Irish licence |publisher=The Sunday Time|date=12 January 2014 |accessdate=12 January 2014}}</ref> |
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On {{start date|2014|2|27|df=y}} the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland]] signed a contract with UTV for the company to provide a general entertainment channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bai.ie/?p=4493|title=BAI Signs Content Contract with ‘UTV Ireland’|work=bai.ie}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4287107&tpl=archnews&force=1 |title=UTV Ireland Appoints Mary Curtis as Head of Channel |publisher=Irish Film and Television Network |date=29 April 2014 |accessdate=15 March 2015}}</ref> On {{start date|2014|4|29|df=y}} [[Mary Curtis (TV executive)|Mary Curtis]] became UTV Ireland's first chief.<ref name="auto"/> The channel employed around 100 people, with 30 of these jobs being based around the country.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Burke-Kennedy |first1=Eoin |last2=Carbery |first2=Genevieve |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/media-and-marketing/utv-to-launch-new-dublin-based-tv-channel-by-2015-1.1585517 |title=UTV to launch new Dublin-based TV channel by 2015 |publisher=The Irish Times |date=6 November 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref> |
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On 1 December 2014, UTV Ireland was granted Public Service Status by Minister for Communications, [[Alex White (politician)|Alex White]], TD, allowing it to appear on Saorview.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2014/Minister+designates+new+UTV+Ireland+channel+for+carriage+on+SAORVIEW.htm|archive-url = https://archive.is/20141206222159/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2014/Minister+designates+new+UTV+Ireland+channel+for+carriage+on+SAORVIEW.htm|dead-url = yes|archive-date = 6 December 2014|title = Minister designates new UTV Ireland channel for carriage on SAORVIEW|date = 1 December 2014|accessdate = 6 December 2014|website = DCENR|publisher = Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources|last = |first = }}</ref> |
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UTV Ireland went on air at 7.25pm on 1 January 2015. The opening night included an hour-long episode of ''[[Emmerdale]]'' and a New Year special presented by [[Pat Kenny]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.irishmirror.ie/whats-on/arts-culture-news/utv-ireland-launch-happened-updates-4904572|title= UTV Ireland launch as it happened|date=1 January 2015 |work=Irish Mirror|accessdate=16 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Stuart |last=Kemp |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/05/utv-ireland-becomes-republics-first-new-commercial-broadcaster-since-1998 |title=UTV Ireland becomes Republic's first new commercial broadcaster since 1998 |publisher=Guardian Media Group |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 January 2015 |accessdate=10 February 2015}}</ref> Five days later, the channel launched its national news service, ''[[Ireland Live]]''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Kim |last=Bielenberg |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/review-utvs-new-ireland-live-is-slick-but-prepackaged-30884895.html |title=REVIEW: UTV's new 'Ireland Live' is slick but pre-packaged |publisher=Independent News and Media |newspaper=The Irish Independent |date=6 January 2015 |accessdate=15 March 2015}}</ref> |
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In June 2015, UTV Group reported losses of €16.2 million on the network due to poor daytime and weekend ratings performance, and it was reported that the network was planning a revamp of its branding and lineup within the coming months. Managing Director Michael Wilson defended UTV Ireland's performance, noting that ''Coronation Street'' and ''Emmerdale'' were drawing larger audiences on UTV Ireland than on previous broadcasters, but admitted that the their staff had gone "under the bonnet" to find means of improving the network's overall performance.<ref>{{cite web|title=UTV Ireland plans channel revamp|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2015/0628/711174-utv-ireland/|website=RTÉ News|accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref> |
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On 19 October 2015, [[ITV plc]] announced its intent to acquire UTV Group's television business, including UTV Ireland, for £100 million, subject to regulatory approval.<ref name="bbc-utvsale">{{cite web|title=UTV Media agrees sale of TV stations to ITV for £100m|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-34508529|website=BBC News|accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref> In December 2015, the deal was approved by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.<ref name="bft-utvsale">{{cite web|title=UTV Ireland clears first hurdle in takeover deal|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/utv-ireland-clears-first-hurdle-in-takeover-deal-34306440.html|website=Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=5 March 2017}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The sale was completed on 29 February 2016, with the remainder of UTV Group operating as radio broadcaster [[Wireless Group]] (later sold to [[News UK]]).<ref>{{cite news|last1=McDonnell|first1=Francess|title=UTV rebrands as Wireless Group and shifts focus to radio|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/utv-rebrands-as-wireless-group-and-shifts-focus-to-radio-1.2554535|accessdate=5 March 2016|work=Irish Times|date=29 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="it-utvirelandvt"/> |
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On 11 July 2016, ITV plc announced that it had sold UTV Ireland to [[TV3 Group]], a division of [[Virgin Media Ireland]], for €10 million. As part of the deal, TV3 Group inherited UTV Ireland's ten-year program supply contract with ITV (effectively re-uniting these rights with its previous owner). ITV director of operations and strategy Christy Swords stated that "Launching UTV Ireland last year represented a significant achievement by the teams in Dublin and Belfast in challenging circumstances", but that when ITV plc took over the network, they "concluded that bringing TV3 and UTV Ireland together under common ownership offers the best prospect of delivering a strong and sustainable Irish commercial broadcaster, underpinned by a long-term programming agreement with ITV".<ref name="it-utvirelandvt">{{cite web|title=TV3 owner Virgin Media buys UTV Ireland for €10m|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/tv3-owner-virgin-media-buys-utv-ireland-for-10m-1.2718283|website=Irish Times|accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref> Virgin Media Ireland had acquired TV3 in 2015, and had begun to make major investments in the broadcaster.<ref name="it-utvirelandvt"/> |
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On 22 November 2016 it was announced that ''Coronation Street'' and ''Emmerdale'' would move back to TV3 beginning 5 December 2016.<ref name="thejournal-corriereturns">{{cite web|title=The rovers return: TV3 is getting Emmerdale and Corrie back|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/tv3-reclaim-soaps-3095795-Nov2016/|website=The Journal|accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref> The next day, it was announced that UTV Ireland would be re-launched as '''be3''' on 9 January 2017, as part of a wider re-branding of all three TV3 channels with new positioning and lineups. The re-branded channel would be primarily aimed towards women, and it was also announced that TV3's [[3Kids|children's strand]] would also be moved to the channel. In the lead-up to the re-branding, the channel's operations were consolidated at the TV3 Group's main studio in [[Ballymount]]. Many of UTV Ireland's employees were laid off, but 40 new positions were offered within the TV3 Group.<ref name="it-be3rebranding">{{cite web|title=UTV Ireland becomes be3 as TV3 group rebrands channels|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/utv-ireland-becomes-be3-as-tv3-group-rebrands-channels-1.2895242|website=Irish Times|accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url= https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/utv-ireland-broadcasts-for-the-last-time-amid-rebrand-438236.html|title=UTV Ireland broadcasts for the last time amid rebrand|date=9 January 2017|work=Irish Examiner|accessdate=10 January 2017}}</ref> |
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In June 2018, it was announced that be3 would re-brand as '''Virgin Media Three''' in late-2018, as part of a rebranding of all three TV3 channels under the Virgin Media brand.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/tv3-virgin-media-sports-channel-2-4096826-Jun2018/|title=TV3 is officially changing its name - to Virgin Media One|work=TheJournal.ie|access-date=2018-06-29|language=en}}</ref> |
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==Programming== |
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When branded as UTV Ireland the channel hosted both Irish produced programming however mainly relied on imports from [[ITV]], upon rebrand to be3 the channel was mainly targeted towards are more female demographic<ref name="examiner-be3">{{cite web|title=TV3 group to launch new-look 'be3' channel on January 9|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/entertainment/tv3-group-to-launch-new-look-be3-channel-on-january-9-767374.html|website=Irish Examiner|accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="it-be3rebranding"/>. |
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===News and current affairs=== |
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''[[Ireland Live]]'' was UTV Ireland's national news and current affairs service, airing two programmes at 5.30pm and 10pm on weeknights, with short updates on weekday mornings as part of a simulcast of ''[[Good Morning Britain (2014 TV programme)|Good Morning Britain]]''. However, the station did not broadcast any weekend news programming, apart from morning weather forecasts. |
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Following the re-launch as be3, ''Ireland Live'' was discontinued and replaced by the revamped ''[[3News Ireland]]'' service. Mick McCaffrey, who led the ''Ireland Live'' news operation, was retained and made head of the new division, which produces bulletins for all three TV3 channels.<ref>{{cite web|title=TV3 appoints Mick McCaffrey as head of news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/tv3-appoints-mick-mccaffrey-as-head-of-news-1.2915690|website=Irish Times|accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref> |
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=== Childrens === |
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3e's children's strand [[3Kids]] moved to be3 upon its launch.<ref name="it-be3rebranding"/><ref name="examiner-be3"/> |
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===Entertainment=== |
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[[Pat Kenny]], former host of ''[[The Late Late Show (Ireland)|The Late Late Show]]'', presented a chat show called ''Pat Kenny in the Round'', which was axed after one series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.utvireland.ie/Press/2014/12/09/coco-television-to-produce-pat-kenny-series-20701|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216022544/http://www.utvireland.ie/Press/2014/12/09/coco-television-to-produce-pat-kenny-series-20701|dead-url=yes|archive-date=16 December 2014|title=Coco Television to produce Pat Kenny series|date=9 December 2014|work=UTV Ireland}}</ref> Kenny also hosted the station's launch night special, ''Out with the Old – In with the U'', on New Year's Day 2015. |
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In July 2015, UTV Ireland began airing a weekly entertainment news bulletin with the station's weather presenter, [[Jenny Buckley]], called ''The Pulse''. The programme was sponsored by [[Diet Coke]]. The feature was extended into a weekly 30-minute magazine show in January 2016.<ref>http://utv.ie/Entertainment/2016/01/18/The-Pulse-extends-to-half-hour-show-52380{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> As be3, ''[[Xposé]]'' moved over to the channel on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. |
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===Lifestyle=== |
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Two of UTV's feature local programmes in Northern Ireland were adapted for viewers in the Republic. The long running travelogue series ''Lesser Spotted Ulster'', presented by Joe Mahon, was rebranded to ''Lesser Spotted Journeys'' to focus on locations within the Republic of Ireland, additionally the agricultural programme ''Rare Breed'' was also adjusted to accommodate its audience in the Republic. |
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===Imported programming=== |
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==== As UTV Ireland ==== |
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UTV's decision to enter the Republic's market followed the sale of broadcast rights of ITV programmes such as ''[[Coronation Street]]'' and ''[[Emmerdale]]'' from rivals [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]]. UTV's Northern Ireland service had enjoyed a large following in the Republic up until the 2000s but its audience share had diminished following the arrival of Sky Digital, which does not carry UTV. The company had profited greatly from high audience ratings in the Republic due to spillover and cable connections in the 1980s and 1990s. |
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By and large, UTV Ireland replicated the Northern Ireland service, with some variations due to domestic program rights for programs not produced by [[ITV Studios]] (such as ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'', whose rights were held by TV3). ''[[The Graham Norton Show]]'' also aired on the channel on a delay from its UK broadcast on [[BBC One]]. Daytime programmes such as ''[[The Jeremy Kyle Show]]'', ''[[Lorraine (TV programme)|Lorraine]]'', ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]'' and ''[[Loose Women]]'' also aired. ''The Jeremy Kyle Show'' has previously aired on TV3, while ''Loose Women'' also aired on TV3 for a period during 2008. ITV's flagship breakfast show, ''[[Good Morning Britain (2014 TV programme)|Good Morning Britain]]'', was added to the station's lineup in February 2015. With Ireland Live updates being shown at 6:15, 7:15 and 8:10. Good Morning Britain simulcasts on the channel ended on Friday 6 January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/good-morning-britain-and-ireland-utv-ireland-to-broadcast-uk-breakfast-show-30950083.html|title='Good Morning Britain' (and Ireland) - UTV Ireland to broadcast UK breakfast show|work=The Independent|accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref> UTV Ireland also utilised ITV's back catalogue of programming, including drama series such as ''[[Vera (TV series)|Vera]]'', [[All3Media]]'s ''[[Midsomer Murders]]'' and ''[[Foyle's War]]''. When ITV announced they were buying UTV Ireland, ITV CEO Adam Crozier said he intended to strengthen the channel further with high-quality ITV programming at its core. |
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==== As be3 ==== |
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be3 airs many of ITV's drama programming and live studio shows, following a 10-year agreement between [[ITV plc]] and the [[TV3 Group]]. The channel also airs repeats of US court series ''[[Judge Judy]]'' and several ITV shows, such as ''[[Loose Women]]'' (live), ''[[Dickinson's Real Deal]]'', [[Surprise Surprise (TV series)|Surprise Surprise]], ''[[Who's Doing the Dishes?]]'', ''[[The Cube (game show)|The Cube]]'' and ''[[The Chase (UK game show)|The Chase]]''. |
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Imported drama series include ''[[Wentworth (TV series)|Wentworth]]'' and ''[[Bull (2016 TV series)|Bull]]''. It also airs ITV dramas and comedies such as ''[[Benidorm (TV series)|Benidorm]]'', ''[[Doc Martin]]'', ''[[Endeavour (TV series)|Endeavour]]'', ''[[Birds of a Feather]]'', ''[[Midsomer Murders]]'', ''[[Prime Suspect]]'', ''[[Grantchester (TV series)|Grantchester]]'' and ''[[Vera (TV series)|Vera]]''. |
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==On-air identity== |
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<gallery> |
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File:Be3_Ireland_2017.png| (2017-2018) |
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</gallery> |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
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==External links== |
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*{{Official website|http://www.be3.ie}} |
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{{Virgin Media Ireland}} |
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{{Liberty Global}} |
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{{Irish Television Channels}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Be3}} |
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[[Category:Television stations in Ireland]] |
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2015]] |
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Revision as of 18:37, 29 August 2018
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