We've come a long way from the days of only having RTE 1 and RTE 2 to flick through haven't we just? Unless of course, you were one of the lucky ones to have 'the channels' growing up. Nowadays, we have four of our own homegrown TV channels with another one on the way.
UTV Ireland is set to start broadcasting here as of next year - January 2015 to be specific - and will be based in Dublin, with an additional news gathering and reporting presence in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick. Jaysus, the rest of the channels our probably shaking in their boots. The news that UTV were coming this direction isn't new, but this is the first time we've be given an official date from the broadcasters. This deal also gives UTV the exclusive broadcasting rights for ITV Studios programmes for the Republic of Ireland audience, including Corrie and Emmerdale.
UTV Media's group chief executive John McCann said: "The audience in Ireland has known the UTV brand for more than 50 years through our station for Northern Ireland and our market leading Irish radio stations. We look forward to building on that success with the launch of UTV Ireland in January 2015".