TV3 have come roaring out of the gates for their Autumn/Winter line up, announcing a barrage of new projects and acquisitions.

The one show getting a lot of press after the announcement this morning is the Irish version of Gogglebox, that the Ballymount station will produce. The Channel 4 series is somewhat of a social media talking point whenever it broadcasts and is narrated by Craig Cash and Caroline Aherne in the UK. Smart buy by the station. 

They also announced their new soap, which will be called Red Rock. What seems to set this one apart from other soaps is that Element Pictures Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe will be involved - two men who have had a huge hand in some of the best Irish films ever made (The Guard, What Richard Did). We’re looking forward to seeing how that one evolves. While there's no word on plot, it will broadcast twice weekly from this coming January. 

They’ll also continue to broadcast both The X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Downton Abbey - all of which are big hitters in the ratings for the Irish station.

As are The Champion’s League and UEFA Cup in sports - while they also have the rights for the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Group Director of Content Jeff Forde spewed, "2015 will be a landmark year for TV3 that will see the group invest the most it has ever done on home produced originated programming and a number of major entertainment co-productions. Our strategy benefits both the advertiser and viewers in a way that bought-in acquired programming cannot. Wholly owned programming gives advertisers greater control and flexibility and much deeper engagement with their audience than acquired content and a foreign schedule. The viewer also benefits as the content is relevant to them, engaging and compelling. As Ireland’s leading commercial broadcaster, these are exciting times for TV3 and I look forward to fulfilling our strategic goals across our six programming genres that will define us against our competitors in 2015 and beyond; ‘Soap’, ‘Entertainment co-pro’s’, ‘Key Acquisitions’, ‘Sport and Events’, ‘Originated Factual’ and last but not least ‘Talent’."

Jason Byrne, Donal MacIntyre and David McWilliams will front shows; while Keith Barry’s Brainhacker and game show The Lie will also return.

 Pic credit: Brian McEvoy