A new TG4 television channel has launched in Ireland

Its launch has been described as a "historic day" for TG4 and the Irish language.

A new TV channel from Irish language network TG4 has been launched in Ireland. Titled Cúla4, it is aimed at 0-12 year olds and has been described as being the "first ever dedicated Irish language children’s channel". According to TG4, it will air for 14 hours daily - between 6am and 8pm - seven days a week and will include entertainment and drama content, a children’s news service and a mix of home produced programming and acquired shows. Cúla4 also aims to be a "valuable source of educational Irish language content" and, on top of providing in-home viewing, will provide "interactive educational content" for school classrooms.

Cúla4

As well as this, the channel will be supported online via the player at Cula4.com player and the Cúla4 App "in recognition of the growing trend to non-linear viewing". Speaking at the launch of the service in Galway, Minister for the Gaeltacht and Media Catherine Martin said:

“The launch of a dedicated Irish language children’s channel gives TG4 the opportunity to better serve younger Irish audiences. I am very pleased to see the combination of child-focused news, educational and entertainment content in the schedule. "I welcome the strategy to provide the content digitally which ensures that the content can be accessed on a multi-platform basis and ensures Cula4 will be where children are. "For non-native speakers, this brings the language out of the school environment and into their homes.”

Martin also said she was delighted to secure €3.3 million of exchequer funding in Budget 2023 to support the development and launch of Cúla4. The channel's manager Karina Feirtéar called the launch a "historic day" for TG4 and the Irish language. "The new Cúla4 channel ensures that Irish language content is more accessible for our younger audiences, and will hopefully strengthen their engagement with it, as they are the future generation," she added. Meanwhile, TG4’s Director General Alan Esslemont said: "The English language is omnipresent in media globally and, if Irish is to continue as a community language, TG4’s services for children must be prominent, dynamic and attractive, strengthening children’s relationship with Irish language media and, through that, sustaining their relationship with the Irish language. Cúla4 is available on Saorview on channel 18, Virgin Media on channel 602 and Sky on channel 624. Here is some of the programming available on the service:

• Anfa - An action-oriented and high-energy game show based on the weather
• Uiscenauts - An all action water-based game show
• Nuacht Cúla4 - A news programme covering local, national and international stories
• M’Ainm Mo Scéal - A children’s series about the meaning and the stories associated with given names
• Teach Spraoi - Every week, a different group of children have two days to design and build their choice of playhouse
• Uisce Uisce - A series for children who love water activities

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