New TV station plans programme for gay community

A new television station for the greater Dublin area will broadcast the country’s first and only programme aimed at the gay community, it emerged today.

City Channel, due to start up in September, revealed plans for the show ‘Free to Express’ covering issues from men’s health to the capital’s gay pride parade.

Eddie McGuinness, presenter of the show, said it would take a look at issues affecting the gay and lesbian community and also offer ongoing information on venues and forthcoming events.

“I’m delighted to be involved in this initiative. It is exciting to be so closely involved with the first ever TV programme produced and presented by and for the gay and lesbian community in Ireland,” he said.

“It is also an insight for the wider audience to understand the make up and the diversity of Dublin’s gay and lesbian scene.”

While City Channel’s core audience will be in the greater Dublin area it is hoped viewers as far north as Dundalk, Co Louth and south to Greystones, Co Wicklow will be able to pick up the station.

The channel will broadcast 24 hours, seven days a week, providing dedicated information and entertainment specifically of interest to the Dublin area.

City Channel will be carried on the NTL digital platform as part of the standard package. Broadcasting to 100,000 homes initially, City Channel will have a potential audience of 400,000 along the east coast.