TG4 to become an independent broadcaster from next year

IRISH language television broadcaster, TG4, will become an independent station from next year.

Communications Minister Noel Dempsey said yesterday the station, which currently operates under the umbrella of state broadcaster RTÉ, will be transformed into an independent statutory body from the beginning of April 2007.

“It was the Government’s intention, from its inauguration, that Teilifís naGaeilge, as it was then known, would be a separate station,” he said.

“The Broadcasting Act of 2001 provided the statutory basis for the separation.

“The commitment was reiterated in the Programme for Government and establishing TG4 as an independent body is the vehicle most likely to result in the delivery of a channel that has the singular focus of providing a high-quality Irish language television service.”

Mr Dempsey said he would be establishing a Project Management Group (PMG) as soon as possible to oversee the establishment of TG4 as an independent body.

“The PMG will be chaired by officials from my department and will also comprise of representatives from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, RTÉ and TG4,” he said.

“This group will ensure that the station is ready to operate independently by April 2007.”

The minister said TG4 will continue to receive grant aid from the Exchequer to fund their operations in 2007, along with income they receive from advertising.

“The programme support from RTÉ in the form of an hour a day of programming is statutorily based and will continue,” he said.

“TG4 has made the case to me for a substantial increase in its level of funding to improve its Irish language schedule and to reduce its repeat ratio.

“In recognition of the importance of these objectives and the positive progress made by TG4, I will be seeking extra funding for the station through the estimates process for 2007.”

TG4 first aired on October 31, 1996 and according to the station, over 800,000viewers now tune into the channel each day.

The station broadcasts over seven hours of programming in Irish each day as well as a range of English language programmes, mostly American imports.

Mr Dempsey said TG4 is considered one of the great success stories of Irish broadcasting and has gone from strength to strength since its inception.

“I am delighted to be able to announce their impending independence as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of the birth of the station,” he said.