TG4 will launch a new children’s Irish language television channel with €3.3 million worth of funding it received in Tuesday’s budget allocation.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, has given statutory clearance to the children’s TV channel for TG4.
The €3.3m provision for the channel was included as part of the Budget 2023 allocation for TG4 which received a record increase of €7.3m in funding, the largest ever annual increase to the broadcaster.
The new service, which will cover children’s news, entertainment, and drama, and provide opportunities for independent producers, is predicted to create up to 200 jobs.
Speaking today, Minister Martin said: “I am delighted to announce my consent to TG4’s proposal to establish a new dedicated Irish language children’s channel, Cúla4.
“While full details of the new channel will be announced by TG4 in due course, it will include a children’s news service, edutainment content, drama, Irish animation, and will reflect the diverse backgrounds of children living in all parts of Ireland, but particularly in Gaeltacht and Irish speaking communities.”
This consent follows the completion of sectoral impact and public value assessments as required under the Broadcasting Act, 2009. The outcome of these assessments was very positive in terms of the additional value that such a channel will bring to Irish broadcasting, content provision for young people, and language development.
Commenting on the overall increase in TG4, Minister Martin added: “This increase is hugely significant, not only in terms of Irish language programming, but in the role played by TG4 in the delivery of the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, and will enable TG4 to better serve Irish-speaking communities, and provide increased support to our regional creative companies.”