TV3 Group

This article is about the television network. For information on the channel, see TV3 Ireland.
TV3 Television Network Ltd T/A TV3 Group
Public/Limited
Industry Broadcasting
Founded 20 September 1998
Founder Ossie Kilkenny, Paul McGuinness, James Morris and John Kelleher
Headquarters Ballymount, Dublin, Ireland
Area served
 Throughout the entire island of Ireland; Ireland and the constituent country/autonomous province of Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom
also rest of the world (via internet, satellite, digital and analogue services)
Key people
 Pat Kiely MD of TV3 Group; (former CEO David McRedmond)
Products Television services
transmission e-publishing (teletext & web)
commercial telecoms services
Revenue €57.4 million (2009)[1][2][3]
Owner Virgin Media Ireland
(Liberty Global)
Number of employees
 250 (2015[4])
Website tv3.ie

The TV3 Group is a commercial TV network in the Republic of Ireland. Launched in 1998 (as TV3 Television Network), the TV3 Group was formed in January 2009.

The network operates TV3 and its sister channel 3e and the online service tv3.ie. The network's studios are located at Ballymount, Dublin. TV3, the first channel from the network, launched in 1998. The network expanded in 2008 with the launch of 3e. In November 2008, the tv3.ie website was rebranded, with the intention of developing it into an entertainment portal. Catch-up facilities, as well as exclusive content, are available for TV3 programming as are news, weather, sport and entertainment updates. In October 2011, 3Player a video-on-demand service was launched.

Channels

Proposed

History

TV3 was intended to be Ireland's third terrestrial channel. In October 1988 the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) was created to regulate new independent stations. The original TV3 licence to broadcast was granted in 1990 to the consortium Tullamore Beta Ltd (some of this consortium made up of Windmill Lane Productions and Paul McGuinness [manager of U2]). It was envisaged that the channel would broadcast on cable and MMDS, but it was later decided that the channel should broadcast on terrestrial television similar to other Irish channels.

IRTC revoked the broadcasting licence due to delays in broadcasting the channel. After a court battle the licence was eventually restored in 1993. By 1993 an agreement was made to sell 49 per cent of the company to UTV, to raise much-needed cash for investment in facilities. UTV pulled out of negotiations in 1995, after TV3 tried to convince existing MMDS and cable television providers to drop UTV and replace it with TV3. Due to the success of UTV with audiences within the Republic of Ireland many cable television carriers declined.

In 1997, Canadian communications company Canwest bought a major stake in the new company.

Canwest: 1998–2001

TV3 began broadcasting on 20 September 1998 at 17:30 (previews of the channel were made available during its initial testing period in the weeks leading up to its official broadcast). The channel would open and close each day with the Schoolhouse Rock! song, "Three Is A Magic Number" (also used by BBC Three for its launch campaign). This was dropped in 2006. The first 30 minutes of the channels launch was a preview of the channel, this was followed by the first live TV3 News bulletin at 18:00. TV3's initial on-air branding referred to the station as TVthree' although this was part of the corporate logo up to 2009 it was dropped from their on-screen brand in 2001.

Canwest & ITV: 2001–2006

In September 2000, Granada Media plc (a predecessor company of ITV plc which then owned six ITV franchises) agreed to acquire 45% of the company from the original TV3 consortium. This was part of deal which gave TV3 the right to simulcast with ITV certain Granada programming. The Granada plc shareholding was taken over by ITV plc upon the merger of Granada with Carlton on 2 February 2004. In early 2001, the station officially launched threetext, the teletext service, much of the content from Thomas Crosbie Media. Test transmissions of this service commenced in late 2000, but as early as 1999 limited programming content was provided. However, in 2004, the news and sports were dropped as part of a rebranding to an 'entertainment portal'.

On 16 January 2006, Canwest announced to TV3 staff, that it was selling its stake in the channel,[8] in an effort to reduce its debt. Following this announcement on 19 May 2006 it was confirmed that Doughty Hanson & Co, a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg had purchased the stakes of Canwest (for €103 million) and ITV Plc's stake (for €103 million),[9] and the remaining 10% (for €59 million).

Doughty Hanson & Co: 2006–2015

In 2006, now the new owner Doughty Hanson & Co. arranged a loan through Anglo Irish Bank to take control of the company through Tullamore Beta Ltd. As the Irish economy crashed due largely to bad lending practices by Irish Banks TV3's loan book was under pressure to perform. Initially the government avoided placing the loans in the National Asset Management Agency as this might create the impress that all Irish Broadcasters were state owned. The loans remained with the newly formed government own IBRC bank.

Radio: TV3 previously sought interest in radio broadcasting. TV3 Group sought a radio licence from BAI for a multi-city service under the More FM branding, the station was aimed at age demographic of 45+, TV3 lost the licence to 4FM.

In May 2008, Kish Media made the announcement they would sell rival broadcaster, Channel 6. The following July, TV3 Group confirmed the purchase of the remainer of shares in Channel 6 from other stake holders. Channel 6 ceased broadcasting on 4 January 2009 with 3e (a different station) launching on 5 January 2009.[10] From January 2009, TV3 became the TV3 Group comprising TV3, 3e, and tv3.ie and later encompassing the 3Player.

One vision: TV3 were part of the consortium Onevision who tendered for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's commercial digital terrestrial television (DTT) subscription service. Under the proposal Onevision would offer existing Irish channels and additional channels on DTT. TV3 Group confirmed if successful they would launch two other channels as part of the service. The first channel proposed was a news and current affairs channel called 3TODAY and a channel skewed towards women called 3XPOSÉ.[11] Onevision withdrew from offering the pay television element to Ireland's DTT after negotiations with the BAI failed due to difficulties with the terms of RTÉ NL apparently regarding multiplexing, marketing for DTT and other issues.

HD Studio: TV3 confirmed plans to build a new HD studio in 2011. TV3 Sony HD Studio was completed in spring 2013 at a cost of €5 million.[12] The new studio is used by TV3 for new HD programming and is also being utilised by other broadcasters including rival RTÉ among other companies.

In July 2012, the TV3 Group confirmed a restructuring initiative, where its sales and sponsorship department moved to Setanta Sports.[13]

tv3.ie was revamped in 2013. The company also launched its on-demand player in the US on Roku . TV3 Group launched a female skewed website based on the Xposé brand (www.xpose.ie). They also launched a second screen mobile application called ShowPal.

TV3 Group announced on 16 October 2012 Director of Programming Ben Frow was set to leave the TV3 Group at the end of the year.[14] He was responsible for programming on TV3 for the last five years, where viewership increased and he is also responsible for bringing Irish versions of hit shows such as Come Dine With Me, and The Apprentice. He also helped to increase Irish produced programming by 40 per cent of the schedule. In 2013 he was replaced by Jeff Ford.

As part of the liquidation of IBRC by the Irish Government TV3's loan book was put up for sale. It was part of a tranche of loans known as "Project Evergreen". In December 2013 it was announce that TV3's owners Doughty Hanson & Co had successfully bought back the loan book at a discount. The new arrangement was re-financed through Ulster Bank[15]

Virgin Media: 2015 - Present

In mid-2015 it was announced that Virgin Media was to buy TV3 from Doughty Hanson & Co for just €80 million and €7 million should the "group" meet certain targets. The acquisition of TV3 was approved by the CPCC in November 2015 and it was past to the Minister for Communications, Alex White, for approval which he gave in December 2015. CEO David McRedmond announced that he was to leave the company by the end of 2015.[16]

Liberty Global's Irish subsidiary Virgin Media Ireland confirmed ITV plc are willing to sell UTV Ireland to them for €10 million ($11 million). Regulatory approval will be sought before the company is handed over to Liberty Global. [17]

As of November 17, 2016 UTV Ireland is now owned by the TV3 Groups parent company Liberty Global through its Irish subsidiary Virgin Media Ireland.

Analogue terrestrial television

Upon its launch in 1998, TV3 utilised the existing RTÉNL main transmitter masts around the country. It also utilises three relay services located in Cork City and Limerick. Availability of TV3 in some rural areas has been limited as TV3 have failed to invest in relay stations for most notably in County Donegal, County Kerry and County Cork. Many rural areas are reliant on satellite reception to receive TV3 via Sky Ireland, this option requires a subscription service. Effectively, TV3 is now available to 98% of homes through Saorview and Saorsat.[18] TV3 ceased broadcasting on the analogue transmission system at 10.00am on 24 October 2012, along with RTÉ One, RTÉ Two and TG4.

Present services

Television

On 29 October 2010, as Ireland moved towards full integration of digital terrestrial television through Saorview. Both TV3 and its sister channel 3e have been available on test trials of Saorview since 29 October 2010.[19] As of May 2011, both channels are now available to 98% of the population. TV3 +1 was added to UPC on 2 December 2014 and then to Sky on 8 April 2015.

Online

TV3 launched a basic and standardized website in 2000 at tv3.ie,[20] this website only provided basic information such as a programme guide, TV listings and corporate information. This website was revamped in 2006[21] and again in 2008.[22]

In 2009, tv3.ie started investing in its online brand. The website relaunched featuring an on-demand service 3Player, TV listings, programme information, news, showbiz, sport, weather, dating, fashion, competitions and other features. On 13 May 2013 the channel overhauled its entire tv3.ie website which now includes a new hourly online video news service that will run alongside its on-air output. The revamped website provides viewers with up-to-date current affairs, entertainment news, sport, fashion, dating, specialized content and more. The new website is more user friendly and also hosts a specialized website for mobile phones and tablets.

3Player

TV3's Video on Demand (VOD) relaunched on Saturday, 8 October 2011.[23] 3Player[24] replaces the original TV3 Catch-Up service previously available at tv3.ie and through its iPhone/iPad app. The new service was revealed at a press call on Friday, 7 October 2011. It is estimated by the TV3 Group that the service will be worth about €7.5 million by 2015. 3Player is in HTML5 format which makes it available on the majority of operating systems. In May 2013, TV3 confirmed [25] that it now seeks its users to register with the company. Registered 3player users will be able to create playlists of their favourite shows and use their logins to pick up where they left off across all devices.

Mobile Applications

On Friday, 24 September 2010 TV3 launched its iPhone application.[26] The service is free to download and offers TV3 viewers the opportunity to watch TV3 content including news, showbiz and sport. It also supplies audiences with an on-demand catch-up service which allows its viewers to watch streamed content.[27]

Publishing

TV3 publish Xposé Magazine every month, based on their daily entertainment show of the same name.

TV3-Virgin Media HD Studio Dublin

On 14 September 2012 TV3 Group confirmed a new HD studios in Ballymount, Dublin. The studio officially opened in March 2013.[28] TV3 Group confirmed it signed a partnership deal with Sony International.[29] As part of a multi-year deal, the studio will be named Sony HD Studio Dublin. TV3 also reinstated its commitment to launching a HD channel. The new HD studios will be used for current programming with TV3 News and other shows permanently moving to the new studios. TV3 Group will also offer independent production companies and international production companies the opportunity to use its facilities for future productions. TV3 Sony HD Studio Dublin is the largest TV studio in Ireland.

From 2016 Virgin Media Ireland took over sponsorship of the HD Studios - they are now known as the TV3-Virgin Media HD Studios.[30]

Proposals

On 16 September 2012, it was reported by the Sunday Independent that TV3 is to launch two channels on Saorview.[31] As of 2014 these channel have not launched. According to a report into commercial DTT by Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates (O&O) for the BAI "TV3 appears not to have an appetite for distributing additional channels on the platform so we assume no new offerings from the group on DTT (Saorview)".[32]

In 2011 TV3 Group revealed it has plans to launch further channels.[33] These channels included TV3 HD, TV3 +1 (a one-hour delayed channel) and TV3 Kids-TV3 Classics (a time-shared channel featuring a children's programming and classic Irish and international television shows). According to BAI documentation the channels where scheduled to launch by September 2013.[34] As of 2014, the BAI have confirmed TV3 have no interest in launching these channels in the near future and have not applied for a licence to broadcast such channels.

According to an article printed in the Irish edition of The Sunday Times on 24 August 2014; TV3 Group will launch TV3 HD on both UPC and Sky in 2015. The article also states that 3e will go HD in 2016. TV3 Group also hope to launch an additional channel in 2016 with a pay TV element to it.[35] The article also suggests that the TV3 Group may work more closely with Communicorp in terms of utilizing presenters.

On January 17, 2016 Sunday Business Post reported Virgin Media Ireland have plans to launch additional TV3 channels including a 24-hour rolling news channel.[36] The TV3 Group later denied such reports.

Ownership

2012–2013

In 2012, TV3 Group's owners Doughty Hanson indicated their wishes to sell off the company in due course. Speculation as to who would purchase the group continued into 2013 with UTV Media considered a major contender.[37] However, in 2013 UTV confirmed plans it would launch its own Republic of Ireland service in early 2014 – branded as UTV Ireland.

April 2015 – present

In early April 2015, a number of media groups were reporting TV3's owners Doughty Hanson were definitely interested in selling the TV3 Group.[38][39][40][41] These reports were strengthened when Doughty Hanson confirmed it has scrapped plans for a sixth investment fund.[42] A number of international broadcasters were reportedly interested in purchasing the Irish-based broadcaster including Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) and Liberty Global.[43] It was later reported VIMN has shown disinterest in purchasing the network but on 16 April 2015 both the Irish Independent and Sky News claimed Carlyle have shown interest in the broadcaster and negotiations were due to begin. Carlyle have begun investing in the Irish market. TV3 Group has declined requests from media organisations to comment on the rumours.[44]

It was further reported on 3 May 2015 by The Sunday Business Post that Liberty Global are in negotiations to take over the broadcaster.[38] They report that Liberty Global are to take over the Irish broadcaster after completing due diligence.

In June 2015, INM confirmed they would consider purchasing the TV3 Group.[45] However, following criticism from individuals within media and political circles, INM claimed it was "highly unlikely" they would purchase the broadcaster,[45] as there would be concern over how much control INM has over print and broadcasting media in Ireland.

On 12 June 2015 Irish media began reporting on the possible buyout by Liberty Global.[46][47][48] Both companies refused to comment on the reports. Approval from the BAI will have to granted if the deal is to go through and may also involve approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. It will take a number of months before the acquisition is finalized. It is reported the TV3 Group will be sold to Liberty Global for €100 million.

On 3 July 2015 it was announced that Doughty Hanson had sold TV3 to a Liberty Global company who operate UPC Ireland for €80 million. The deal may also deliver a further €7 million should TV3 meet certain performance targets. The deal will need regulatory approval by Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as well as a media plurality test by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.[49] On 5 July 2015 The Sunday Business Post confirmed following an interview with TV3's CEO McRedmon that Liberty Global had shown interest in purchasing the TV3 Group since last year.[50]

Approval for Liberty Global to take over TV3 is expected within the next few months.

Logos

References

  1. ↑ "Doughty Hanson Annual Review" (PDF). London: Doughty Hanson. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  2. ↑ "Doughty Hanson Annual Review 2008". Doughty Hanson & Co. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  3. ↑ "Doughty Hanson Annual Review 2009" (PDF). Doughty Hanson & Co. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "TV3 Acquired by UPC, a Subsidiary of Liberty Global plc". Dublin: tv3.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  5. ↑ http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/virgin-media-granted-approval-to-complete-utv-ireland-takeover-35220004.html
  6. ↑ Molumby, Deirdre (25 August 2014). "TV3 to collaborate with Communicorp". The Irish Film & Television Network. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  7. ↑ http://www.98fm.com/TV3-are-planning-to-launch-a-new-24hour-news-channel
  8. ↑ "Canwest to sell share in TV3". RTÉ News. 16 January 2006. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  9. ↑ Welsh, James (23 August 2006). "ITV agrees to sell TV3 stake". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  10. ↑ Welsh, James (5 January 2009). "Ireland's Channel 6 becomes 3e". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  11. ↑ "Application: DTT Multiplex Contract" (PDF). BCI. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  12. ↑ McGreevy, Ronan (18 August 2011). "TV3 to build EUR 4m studio for live audience shows". The Irish Times.
  13. ↑ "TV3 scripts host of money-spinning proposals to boost profits". Irish Independent. 15 July 2012.
  14. ↑ Cummins, Steve (16 October 2012). "Ben Frow To Leave TV3 After Five Years". IFTN. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Doughty Hanson selected to buy TV3 loans". RTÉ News. 12 December 2013.
  16. ↑ http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2015/1207/751915-virgin-completes-acquisition-of-tv3/
  17. ↑ http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/tv3-owner-virgin-media-buys-utv-ireland-for-10m-1.2718283
  18. ↑ "RTÉ must have DTT operational by October". The Sunday Business Post. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  19. ↑ Saorview. "Television Channels and Services". Saorview. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  20. ↑ "Welcome to TV3 Ireland". TV3. Archived from the original on 5 February 2001. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  21. ↑ "Welcome". TV3. Archived from the original on 7 February 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  22. ↑ "Welcome". TV3. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  23. ↑ "TV3 unveils new player". Marketing.ie. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  24. ↑ "3player". TV3. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  25. ↑ Slattery, Laura (14 May 2013). "TV3 seeks registrations on 3player". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  26. ↑ Archived 19 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  27. ↑ "TV3 App". iTunes. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  28. ↑ Kennedy, John (14 September 2012). "Major development for Irish broadcasting sector as TV3 and Sony to deploy new HD Studio". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  29. ↑ "TV3 Secures Studio Partnership Deal with Sony". Adworld. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  30. ↑ https://www.tv3.ie/studios/
  31. ↑ Webb, Nick (16 September 2012). "Rabbitte gives ok to Irish movie channel". Independent.ie. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  32. ↑ "Prospects for commercial digital terrestrial television in the Republic of Ireland" (PDF). Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "Report and Recommendations by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on the exercise of its functions under Statutory Instrument No.67 of 2011" (PDF). Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. pp. 5, 14. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  34. ↑ "Report and Recommendations by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on the exercise of its functions under Statutory Instrument No.67 of 2011" (PDF). Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  35. ↑ "The TV3 & 3e Thread [Merged] - Page 35". boards.ie. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  36. ↑ http://www.businesspost.ie/tv3-plans-24-hour-news-channel/
  37. ↑ Lyons, Tom (21 April 2013). "UTV eyes up bid to take over 'debt laden' TV3". Independent.ie. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  38. 1 2 http://www.businesspost.ie/#!search/tv3
  39. ↑ ".TV: Could Viacom or Liberty Global Purchase TV3?". Irish Music Feed. Tumblr. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  40. ↑ O'Donovan, Donal; McLoughlin, Gavin (17 April 2015). "US-based Carlyle has broadcaster TV3 in frame for takeover". Independent.ie. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  41. ↑ "Buyout Firms Broadcast Bids For Ireland's TV3". Sky News. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  42. ↑ Hancock, Ciarán (15 April 2015). "TV3's owner scraps plan for sixth investment fund". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  43. ↑ "Buyout firms reportedly hold preliminary talks for possible TV3 takeover". Newstalk. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  44. ↑ Slattery, Laura (17 April 2015). "TV3 tight-lipped over reports Carlyle in takeover talks". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  45. 1 2 "Talk of an INM move for TV3 dismissed as "highly unlikely" by the company". TheJournal.ie. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  46. ↑ "TV3 sale: UPC Ireland owners Liberty Global conducting due diligence". Independent.ie. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  47. ↑ Clover, Julian (12 June 2015). "Liberty Global in TV3 Ireland talks". Broadband TV News. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  48. ↑ Quinn, Eamon (13 June 2015). "TV3 'worth €100m' as Liberty Global tunes in". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  49. ↑ "UPC Ireland to acquire broadcaster TV3". RTÉ News. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  50. ↑ http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/UTV%E2%80%99s+slow+start+encouraged+TV3+sale/id/f5b55ab1-ae79-4c42-97c3-ce45c7250c75

Coordinates: 53°18′34″N 6°21′20″W / 53.309565°N 6.35564°W / 53.309565; -6.35564

External links

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