UTV said it remains committed to its decision to enter the Irish television market despite a “slow start” to the year for the new station.

Ireland's newest television channel will begin broadcasting later this evening.

Veteran broadcaster Pat Kenny has taken another leap of faith in hopping aboard UTV Ireland to make a return to television early next year.

UTV has appointed Mary Curtis as the head of its new Irish TV channel.

TELEVISION viewers who rely on aerials to receive their TV signal will face blank screens from the end of 2012 unless they access a new, free-to-air digital TV service.