A few big changes are coming to TV3 this Spring.
The Virgin Media owned broadcaster, TV3 has shared some big news ahead of its Spring 2018 schedule, including that it will be rebranded as Virgin Media Television later this year.
The station has also announced that its upcoming schedule will include Ireland's Got Talent, the NatWest 6 Nations, the return of Red Rock, The Restaurant and the extension of The Tonight Show with Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates to four nights a week, from Monday to Thursday, starting on 5 February.
On Saturday, 3 February both the 6 Nations and Ireland’s Got Talent will debut as a double-header that will run right through Spring.
Hosted by Joe Molloy, 6 Nations coverage will include panellists Ronan O'Gara, Shane Horgan, Alan Quinlan, Shane Jennings and Matt Williams. Kicking off with Wales vs. Scotland, followed by Ireland against France in the Stade de France,
all 15 matches in the 6 Nations will be shown exclusively on TV3.
Ireland's Got Talent will be presented by Lucy Kennedy with judges Louis Walsh, Michelle Visage, Jason Byrne and Denise Van Outen featuring.
Also announced is a spin-off called Ireland’s Got Mór Talent, which will air following the main show on TV3 and will be presented by TV3's Glenda Gilson and social media personality James Kavanagh. The weekly show promises to give viewers an exclusive access behind the scenes, including exclusive interviews and unseen auditions.
On 22 January, Red Rock will make its return with 13 brand new episodes, while in other TV drama news, a new two-part series called The Bailout has been confirmed and Pat Shortt's Smalltown will come back for a second season.
Marco Pierre White’s The Restaurant returns for a brand new season and this year he is joined by guest food critic and writer, Rachel Allen.
The broadcaster has also confirmed the return of the True Lives documentary strand, starting 17 January, including Karen Koster's Mammy Guilt, Paul Williams' Ireland's Jihadis and Joanne McNally's Baby Hater.
Commenting on the Spring schedule, Director of Programming, Bill Malone, said:
"2017 was a year of records and firsts for TV3 Group as we delivered our best ever share of viewing. Now we aim to build on this great momentum with our most ambitious Spring schedule.
"2018 promises to be a landmark year of big events and quality Irish content on TV3. They don’t come much bigger than rugby’s greatest championship, the NatWest 6 Nations and the world’s biggest entertainment format, Ireland’s Got Talent. It will also be a year which will see us distribute our content in new and exciting ways as part of Ireland’s No. 1 connected entertainment business, Virgin Media."
