There will be one more Irish TV channel to choose from in 2017, as TV3 have just announced they will launch a new channel to replace UTV Ireland, which only lasted about eighteen months before being bought by Virgin Media in July of this year.

Virgin Media also own TV3 so the broadcaster has decided to take this opportunity to launch a new look three-channel line-up.

TV3 will be the flagship channel, 3e will become the home of 'new exclusive content' while the new channel will be called 'be3, and will launch on the 9th of January.

It's set to be the "home to drama and chat and give viewers a second chance to see their favourite soaps.

"be3 will be home to popular programmes such as Midsomer Murders, Loose Women and Benidorm. be3’s programming schedule will complement and enhance the TV3 and 3e output and will keep its audience up to date with national and international news with two half-hour news bulletins every weekday evening. ‘

"3Kids’, TV3 Group’s daily three-hour children’s programming block also moves to be3 from Monday 9th January."

Starting this January, 3e will be the exclusive home to Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, and will continue to broadcast the Xtra Factor, 'Get Me Out of Here Now, Britain’s Got More Talent and all the biggest after-show party programmes, along with Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross and the home of UFC.

The launch of the new three-channel line-up also saw the introduction of former head of RTE2, Bill Malone, as the TV3 Group Director of Programming.

Malone said; "Today we give you a first look at the ambitious plans for the TV3 Group. Today’s story is not about a new channel or a new name for a channel. It represents a historic shift in Irish broadcasting. TV3 is now a three channel business and today we unveil three new-look and distinctive brands. Our commitment to Irish programming is clearly evident – we are now an Irish broadcaster of scale."

be3 will be available on channel 106 on Virgin Media, channel 116 on Sky, channel 106 on Saorview, channel 108 on Eir’s eVisionand channel 106 on Vodafone.