Virgin Media Television Ltd (formerly known as TV3 Television Network Ltd; previously
traded as the TV3 Group until August 2018) is a commercial television company in Ireland, based in
Dublin
Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...
. Launched in 1998 as TV3 Television Network, the TV3 Group was formed in January 2009. The company was acquired by
Liberty Global
Liberty Global plc is a British-Dutch-American multinational telecommunications company with headquarters in London, Amsterdam and Denver. Its respective legal names are Liberty Global Plc, Liberty Global B.V. and Liberty Global, Inc., with ...
in 2015, and the channels were rebranded to Virgin Media Television in 2018.
The network was reportedly put up for sale by its owner Liberty Global in June 2021. By November 2021, the then chief executive had reportedly "ruled this out".
History
Virgin Media Television (previously TV3 Television Network Ltd and later TV3 Group) is operated by
Virgin Media Ireland
Virgin Media Ireland is Liberty Global's telecommunications operation in Ireland. It is the largest digital cable television provider within the country. As of 31 December 2014, the company offers broadband internet, digital television and ...
and owned by
Liberty Global
Liberty Global plc is a British-Dutch-American multinational telecommunications company with headquarters in London, Amsterdam and Denver. Its respective legal names are Liberty Global Plc, Liberty Global B.V. and Liberty Global, Inc., with ...
. Under its previous operations TV3 Television Network Ltd and later the TV3 Group; the company was owned by different companies including Canwest, Granada and Doughty Hanson & Co.
The initial company TV3 Television Network Ltd was established in the early 1990s as a response to the development of the IRTC in October 1998. The former broadcasting regular Independent Radio & Television Commission (now the
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) ( ga, Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann) was established on 1 October 2009 effectively replacing the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) ( ga, Coimisiún Craolacháin na hÉireann).
The BAI is ...
) was created to regulate broadcasting in Ireland. In 1990 following an invitation by the IRTC to seek interests from independent broadcasters, a consortium (Tullamore Beta Ltd) came together to launch the Republic of Ireland's first independent channel and third terrestrial channel. The launch of TV3 was delayed and the licence was revoked due to this delay. Following a court case, the license was eventually restored in 1993. It was agreed that 49% of the company would be sold to
UTV, to raise much-needed cash for investment in facilities. By 1995, UTV decided not to partner up with Tullamore Beta and instead focused on its own channels being made available through digital television providers in Ireland. In 1997, Canadian communications company
Canwest
Canwest Global Communications Corporation, which operated under the corporate name Canwest, was a major Canadian media conglomerate based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with its head offices at Canwest Place. It held radio, television broadcasting an ...
bought a major stake in the new company in order to help launch the independent network.
Canwest: 1998–2001
By 1998,
Canwest
Canwest Global Communications Corporation, which operated under the corporate name Canwest, was a major Canadian media conglomerate based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with its head offices at Canwest Place. It held radio, television broadcasting an ...
was already a major owner of television and radio stations across a number of territories including Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
The consortium Tullamore Beta and Canwest launched TV3 on 20 September 1998. However, in 2001 Canwest confirmed it would sell a stake to
ITV plc
ITV plc is a British media company that holds 13 of the 15 regional television licences that make up the ITV network (Channel 3), the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom.
ITV plc is listed on the ...
.
Canwest & ITV: 2001–2006
In September 2000,
Granada Media plc (a predecessor company of
ITV plc
ITV plc is a British media company that holds 13 of the 15 regional television licences that make up the ITV network (Channel 3), the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom.
ITV plc is listed on the ...
which then owned six
ITV
ITV or iTV may refer to:
ITV
*Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of:
** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...
franchises) agreed to acquire 45% of the company from the original TV3 consortium. This was part of a 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
Carlton may refer to:
People
* Carlton (name), a list of those with the given name or surname
* Carlton (singer), English soul singer Carlton McCarthy
* Carlton, a pen name used by Joseph Caldwell (1773–1835), American educator, Presbyterian ...
on 2 February 2004. In early 2001, the station officially launched threetext, the
teletext
A British Ceefax football index page from October 2009, showing the three-digit page numbers for a variety of football news stories
Teletext, or broadcast teletext, is a standard for displaying text and rudimentary graphics on suitably equipp ...
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, in an effort to reduce its debt. Following this announcement on 19 May 2006 it was confirmed that
Doughty Hanson & Co
Doughty Hanson & Co is a British private equity fund manager focused on leveraged buyout and recapitalization transactions primarily of upper middle-market companies in Europe. The firm also invests opportunistically in European real estate and p ...
, a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg had purchased the stakes of Canwest (for €103 million) and ITV Plc's stake (for €103 million), and the remaining 10% (for €59 million).
Doughty Hanson & Co: 2006–2015
In 2006, the company's new owner Doughty Hanson & Co. arranged a loan through
Anglo Irish Bank
Anglo Irish Bank was an Republic of Ireland, Irish bank headquartered in Dublin from 1964 to 2011. It began to wind down after nationalisation in 2009. In July 2011 Anglo Irish merged with the Irish Nationwide Building Society, forming a new co ...
to take control of the company through Tullamore Beta Ltd. Under this ownership Doughty Hanson tried to move beyond television broadcasting and showed interest in acquiring a radio broadcasting license under the branding ''More FM'', however the licence was granted to
Classic Hits 4FM
Ireland's Classic Hits Radio is an Irish independent multi-region radio station based in Dublin, and broadcasting to that city as well as Cork, Limerick, Galway, County Clare, County Wicklow, County Kildare, County Meath. It can also be picked ...
. By 2008, the company expanded its channel portfolio with the acquisition of Kish Media then owners of
Channel 6.
Channel 6 was later refocused under the TV3 Group branding and was renamed 3e.
By January 2008, the TV3 Group composed of TV3, 3e, tv3.ie and
3Player.
Doughty Hanson & Co came together with
Eircom
Eircom Limited, trading as Eir ( ; stylised eir), is a large fixed, mobile and broadband telecommunications company in Ireland. The now privatised company, which is currently incorporated in Jersey, traces its origins to the Ireland's former ...
to produce a consortium to establish Ireland's commercial
digital terrestrial television
Digital terrestrial television (DTTV or DTT, or DTTB with "broadcasting") is a technology for terrestrial television in which land-based (terrestrial) television stations broadcast television content by radio waves to televisions in consumers' ...
subscription service then titled ''Onevision''. Following a tender process the BAI deemed the consortium unsuccessful despite Onevision planning to launch additional TV3 branded channels (3Today and 3XPOSÉ).
By 2011, the broadcaster planned its commitment to high definition broadcasting technologies and the company laid down plans to establish a HD studio, which was eventually launched in Spring 2013 at cost of €5 million. The studio was developed to produce key programming in HD and offering independent companies and public broadcasters the opportunity to make use of the new studios.
By 2015, Doughty Hanson & Co confirmed it planned on selling the TV3 Group; as the holding company decided to abandon television broadcasting.
Virgin Media Ireland: 2015–present
Despite speculation from different companies seeking interest in the TV3 Group, by mid-2015 it was confirmed
Liberty Global
Liberty Global plc is a British-Dutch-American multinational telecommunications company with headquarters in London, Amsterdam and Denver. Its respective legal names are Liberty Global Plc, Liberty Global B.V. and Liberty Global, Inc., with ...
would purchase the company through its Irish subsidiary
Virgin Media Ireland
Virgin Media Ireland is Liberty Global's telecommunications operation in Ireland. It is the largest digital cable television provider within the country. As of 31 December 2014, the company offers broadband internet, digital television and ...
. Doughty Hanson & Co sold the company for €80 million and an additional €7 million should the "group" meet certain targets. The acquisition of TV3 was approved by the CPCC in November 2015 and it was passed to then 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.
Expanding its channel portfolio, Liberty Global went onto purchase
UTV Ireland
Virgin Media Three, also called Virgin Three, is an Republic of Ireland, Irish free-to-air television channel owned by Virgin Media Ireland, Virgin Media Television.
The channel was first launched by Northern Irish broadcaster UTV Media on 1 ...
from
ITV plc
ITV plc is a British media company that holds 13 of the 15 regional television licences that make up the ITV network (Channel 3), the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom.
ITV plc is listed on the ...
for €10 million. On 17 November 2016 UTV Ireland was taken over by the TV3 Group. The channel was rebranded in January 2017.
By late 2017; Virgin Media Ireland confirmed it would rebrand its channel portfolio, however, this was delayed until summer 2018. On 30 August 2018 Virgin Media Television completed its rebranding strategy.
In May 2020, Pat Kiely stepped down as managing director and was replaced by Paul Farrell.
Present services
Broadcasting
*
Virgin Media One
Virgin Media One, also called Virgin One, is an Irish free-to-air television channel owned by Virgin Media Ireland (part of Liberty Global), operated through its subsidiary Virgin Media Television. The channel was known until 30 August 201 ...
(formerly known as TV3): March 2006 (previously TV Three from 20 September 1998 to March 2006)
**Virgin Media One HD: 11 August 2015
***Virgin Media One +1: 2 December 2014
*
Virgin Media Two
Virgin Media Two, also called Virgin Two, is an Irish free-to-air television channel operated by Virgin Media Television (a subsidiary of Virgin Media Ireland).
History 2006–2009
Channel 6 was launched on 30 March 2006, then operated by Kis ...
(formerly known as 3e): 6 January 2009 (previously Channel 6 from March 2006 to January 2009)
**Virgin Media Two HD (only available on Sky and Virgin Media)
*
Virgin Media Three
Virgin Media Three, also called Virgin Three, is an Republic of Ireland, Irish free-to-air television channel owned by Virgin Media Ireland, Virgin Media Television.
The channel was first launched by Northern Irish broadcaster UTV Media on 1 ...
(formerly known as be3): January 2017 (previously UTV Ireland from January 2015 to January 2017)
**Virgin Media Three HD (only available on Virgin Media)
*
Virgin Media More
Virgin Media More is an Irish television channel from Virgin Media Television. The channel is exclusive to Virgin Media Ireland customers and is not available on other digital television platforms.
The channel focuses on broadcasting first see ...
: a new channel exclusive to Virgin Media customers featuring first look at Irish and international documentaries, films, dramas and sporting events. The channel launched on 12 April 2022.
*
Virgin Media Four
Virgin Media Four is an Irish television channel from Virgin Media Television.
The channel focuses on general entertainment programming from both Ireland and the UK as well as weekly coverage of the NFL.
The channel launched on 24 August 202 ...
: a new channel launching August 24, 2022.
Production units
*
Virgin Media Sport
Virgin Media Sport (formerly TV3 Sport) is a sports production unit at Virgin Media Television in Ireland which produces specialist sports content for its television channels Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two, and Virgin Media Three. The depa ...
*
Virgin Media News
Virgin Media News (formerly TV3 News and then 3News Ireland) is the news division of Virgin Media Television in Ireland, owned by Liberty Global. The news division produces news and current affairs programming for free-to-air channels Virgin ...
Virgin Media Player
The
Virgin Media Player
Virgin Media Player (formerly 3Player) is a live streaming and on demand video service available in Ireland, provided by Virgin Media Television (formerly TV3 Group), a subsidiary of Virgin Media Ireland, for programmes broadcast on the compa ...
, Virgin Media Television's Video on Demand (VOD) service, is available online (at virginmediatelevision.ie), and on several app platforms (
App Store
An App Store (or app marketplace) is a type of digital distribution platform for computer software called applications, often in a mobile context. Apps provide a specific set of functions which, by definition, do not include the running of the co ...
,
Google Play
Google Play, also known as the Google Play Store and formerly the Android Market, is a digital distribution service operated and developed by Google. It serves as the official app store for certified devices running on the Android (operating sys ...
,
Android TV
Android TV is a smart TV operating system based on Android (operating system), Android and developed by Google for television sets, digital media players, set-top boxes, and soundbars. A successor to Google TV (operating system), Google TV, it fe ...
,
Google TV Google TV may refer to:
* Google TV (interface), an updated interface of Android TV launched in 2020
* Google TV (service), a video-on-demand service formerly known as Google Play Movies & TV
* Google TV (operating system), a discontinued operating ...
,
Virgin Media Ireland
Virgin Media Ireland is Liberty Global's telecommunications operation in Ireland. It is the largest digital cable television provider within the country. As of 31 December 2014, the company offers broadband internet, digital television and ...
,
Sky
The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from outer space.
In the field of astronomy, ...
and
Now
Now most commonly refers
to the present time.
Now, NOW, or The Now may also refer to:
Organizations
* Natal Organisation of Women, a South African women's organization
* National Organization for Women, an American feminist organization
* Now ...
).
Website
With the rebranding of the entire TV3 Group in August 2018, the website address changed to "virginmediatelevision.ie",
As well as this website hosting the online player service, it also hosts
News
News is information about current events. This may be provided through many different Media (communication), media: word of mouth, printing, Mail, postal systems, broadcasting, Telecommunications, electronic communication, or through the tes ...
and TV Listings for its channels.
Defunct services
* ''
Xposé
''Xposé'' is an entertainment, fashion and beauty programme that aired on Irish television from 2007 to 2019.
It was broadcast every Friday at 18:00 on Virgin Media One. It ran for a 3-day week at 20:00 on Virgin Media Two (previously known ...
'' Magazine: Ceased publishing 5 April 2017
*
Virgin Media Kids (formerly known as "3Kids"): launched 27 June 2016 as 3 hour block and previously aired on Virgin Media Three until being quietly discontinued in September 2021
*
Virgin Media Sport
Virgin Media Sport (formerly TV3 Sport) is a sports production unit at Virgin Media Television in Ireland which produces specialist sports content for its television channels Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two, and Virgin Media Three. The depa ...
: 30 August 2018; closed April 11, 2022
Virgin Media Television HD Studio
On 14 September 2012, the TV3 Group confirmed a new HD studios in Ballymount, Dublin. The studio officially opened in March 2013. TV3 Group confirmed it signed a partnership deal with
Sony International
Sony Music Entertainment (SME), also known as simply Sony Music, is an American multinational music company. Being owned by the parent conglomerate Sony Group Corporation, it is part of the Sony Music Group, which is owned by Sony Entertainment ...
.
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.
In August 2018, the facility became known as the "Virgin Media Television HD Studio".
The studio in 2019 is now known as "Studio 2" at the Virgin Media Television complex in Dublin. It measures 5,000 Sq Ft and can accommodate live studio audiences of up to 250 if required. "Studio 1" is the name of the original television studio in the complex which opened in 1998 when TV3 launched. Studio 1 was renovated and refurbished in 2017 and is now the main home to all Virgin Media News bulletins.
Proposals
On 16 September 2012, it was reported by the
Sunday Independent that TV3 was to launch two channels on Saorview. As of 2018, these channel had 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)".
In 2011, TV3 Group revealed it had plans to launch further channels.
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 were scheduled to launch by September 2013. , the BAI confirmed TV3 had no interest in launching these channels in the immediate future and had not applied for a licence to broadcast such channels.
According to an article printed in the Irish edition of ''The Sunday Times'' in August 2014, TV3 Group intended to launch TV3 HD on both
UPC and
Sky
The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from outer space.
In the field of astronomy, ...
in 2015. The article also stated that 3e would go HD in 2016. TV3 Group also hoped to launch an additional channel in 2016 with a pay TV element to it. The article also suggested that the TV3 Group might work more closely with
Communicorp
Bauer Media Audio Ireland (formerly Communicorp Group) is a media holding company based in Ireland, owned by Bauer Media Group.
History
Communicorp Group Ltd was formed by Denis O'Brien in 1989. It launched its radio operations in Ireland that ...
in terms of utilizing presenters.
On 17 January 2016, ''Sunday Business Post'' reported Virgin Media Ireland had plans to launch additional TV3 channels including a 24-hour rolling news channel. The TV3 Group later denied such reports.
Ownership
2012–2013
In 2012, TV3 Group's owners
Doughty Hanson
Doughty Hanson & Co is a British private equity fund manager focused on leveraged buyout and recapitalization transactions primarily of upper middle-market companies in Europe. The firm also invests opportunistically in European real estate and p ...
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
Wireless Group Limited is a radio and digital broadcasting network with headquarters in Belfast, Northern Ireland and with radio operations in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. It currently operates five stations in Ireland and ...
considered a major contender. However, in 2013 UTV confirmed plans it would launch its own Republic of Ireland service in early 2014 – branded as
UTV Ireland
Virgin Media Three, also called Virgin Three, is an Republic of Ireland, Irish free-to-air television channel owned by Virgin Media Ireland, Virgin Media Television.
The channel was first launched by Northern Irish broadcaster UTV Media on 1 ...
. It launched on 1 January 2015, and in mid-2016 was acquired by TV3 Group, rebranding it as be3 just 2 years after its launch. It is now known as Virgin Media Three. Meanwhile, UTV Media sold its TV broadcasting operations to
ITV plc
ITV plc is a British media company that holds 13 of the 15 regional television licences that make up the ITV network (Channel 3), the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom.
ITV plc is listed on the ...
in February 2016 and renamed itself Wireless Group, seven months before being acquired by
News UK
News Corp UK & Ireland Limited (trading as News UK, formerly News International and NI Group) is a British newspaper publisher, and a wholly owned subsidiary of the American mass media conglomerate News Corp. It is the current publisher of ...
.
2015–present
In early April 2015, a number of media groups were reporting TV3's owners
Doughty Hanson
Doughty Hanson & Co is a British private equity fund manager focused on leveraged buyout and recapitalization transactions primarily of upper middle-market companies in Europe. The firm also invests opportunistically in European real estate and p ...
were definitely interested in selling the TV3 Group.
These reports were strengthened when
Doughty Hanson
Doughty Hanson & Co is a British private equity fund manager focused on leveraged buyout and recapitalization transactions primarily of upper middle-market companies in Europe. The firm also invests opportunistically in European real estate and p ...
confirmed it has scrapped plans for a sixth investment fund. A number of international broadcasters were reportedly interested in purchasing the Irish-based broadcaster including
Viacom International Media Networks
Paramount International Networks (PIN) is the international division of Paramount Global. The division oversees the production, broadcasting and promotion of key Paramount's brands outside of the United States. These brands include Paramount Net ...
(VIMN) and
Liberty Global
Liberty Global plc is a British-Dutch-American multinational telecommunications company with headquarters in London, Amsterdam and Denver. Its respective legal names are Liberty Global Plc, Liberty Global B.V. and Liberty Global, Inc., with ...
. It was later reported VIMN has shown disinterest in purchasing the network but on 16 April 2015 both the ''
Irish Independent
The ''Irish Independent'' is an Irish daily newspaper and online publication which is owned by Independent News & Media (INM), a subsidiary of Mediahuis.
The newspaper version often includes glossy magazines.
Traditionally a broadsheet new ...
'' and
Sky News
Sky News is a British free-to-air television news channel and organisation. Sky News is distributed via an English-language radio news service, and through online channels. It is owned by Sky Group, a division of Comcast. John Ryley is the hea ...
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.
It was further reported on 3 May 2015 by ''The Sunday Business Post'' that Liberty Global are in negotiations to take over the broadcaster.
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.
However, following criticism from individuals within media and political circles, INM claimed it was "highly unlikely" they would purchase the broadcaster,
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. 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
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the Competition regulator in Ireland. It is an Irish state agency established in 2014, combining the previous functions of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency. ...
. 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
Virgin Media Ireland is Liberty Global's telecommunications operation in Ireland. It is the largest digital cable television provider within the country. As of 31 December 2014, the company offers broadband internet, digital television and d ...
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
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications ( ga, An Roinn Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide) is a department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors and regula ...
. 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 the previous year.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Virgin Media Television (Republic of Ireland)
Television channels and stations established in 1998