TV3 DELIVERS THE MOST DIVERSE SCHEDULE YET FOR SPRING 2010

TV3 GROUP RELEASE
IMMEDIATE: Wednesday 13th January 2010

Following the success of a fantastic autumn, TV3 presents a spring schedule packed with Irish entertainment, documentaries and drama, today at The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. The new schedule is dominated by Irish programming accounting for over a third of TV3’s airtime with 1900 hours output over a twelve month period.

Standouts in the schedule include:
· The Celebrity Apprentice followed by the new The Celebrity Apprentice: You’re Fired which will be hosted by a brand new presenter and in front of a live audience.
· The Cosmetic Surgery Show sees Caroline Morahan and Dr 90210 present a no-holds-barred magazine show which explores all aspects of cosmetic surgery in practice in Ireland today.
· Impact is a two-part documentary series made in association with the RSA. Intended to highlight the shocking statistics of road deaths in Ireland, the series focuses on human stories behind the headlines as experienced by the Gardaí and emergency services – the first people on the scene and those responsible for cutting free and cleaning up the victims of car accidents.
· The Zoo takes us behind the scenes of Dublin Zoo to experience the complex activities that normally go unseen and to experience the ongoing animal activity.
· Aftermath is a five-part series that will address the prevalence of murder and manslaughter in Ireland today and will examine the impact upon the victims’ families and the wider community.
· The Guards, a two-part fictional drama which follows three young Gardaí, Diarmuid, Donal and Aiden as they police the dark side of Dublin. Delving in to their personal lives as well as their dangerous workloads, this drama is full of action, heartache and unexpected twists.
· Banned is a two-part series that will look at censorship in Ireland. The programme will look at films that have been banned in Ireland, the ongoing abortion debate and the difficulty in regulating the Internet.
· The Secret Life of Teenagers is a candid and honest documentary series portraying the issues facing teenagers in Ireland today.
· Animal A&E is a new pet-based series which follows the medical dramas taking place in some of Ireland’s busiest veterinary clinics – from initial consultation through surgery – and goes on the road with the ISPCA.
· Facing Death is a TV3 special, profiling terminally ill patients as they come to terms with their illness and the reality of leaving loved ones behind.
· Disgraced retells the stories of the individuals whose once glittering careers were forever blemished by their fall from grace.
· Taoiseach continues to explore the role of Taoiseach and the individuals who have sat in the seat of power in Ireland.
· Dancing on Ice sees Mikey Graham representing Ireland in the hit show. · Glee, our biggest launching US drama in the last three years, continues to entertain both young and old alike.
· Pop Star to Opera Star takes well known stars from the world of pop, including Kim Ryder, Bernie Nolan, Jimmy Osmond and Blur’s Alex James and challenges them to transform their voices and master the art of opera.
· Totally Fashion – TV3’s new fashion focussed reality project - follows 10 fashionistas as they compete in a series of fashion based task to win a mentorship with a major fashion brand.

The returning favourites for this spring include the prime time current affairs show that made the headlines, Midweek, hosted by Colette Fitzpatrick; UEFA Champions League reaches the knockout stages as TV3 brings you all the live action first with anchor Matt Cooper; Ursula Halligan goes in-depth with Eamon Dunphy in This Is….; Ellen DeGeneres is the new judge on American Idol; Hit US remake V returns with all new episodes; The Tudors – the final season - premieres in early spring; Undercover investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre returns with three brand new regions to investigate in Ireland’s Crime Capitals 2; the Irish Deal or No Deal in association with The National Lottery continues it’s successful run presented by magician Keith Barry; Britain’s Got Talent. Can Simon & Co find another talent as big as last year’s worldwide phenomenon Susan Boyle?

The TV3 schedule is anchored by our own daily studio output , starting with Ireland AM – the show that was twice voted Favourite Irish TV show by viewers and has just celebrated its tenth birthday; The Morning Show with Sybil & Martin, TV3’s recently launched personal advice show; Midday which has hit an all time rating high with regular guests such as Amanda Brunker, Fiona Looney, Jules Fallon and Mary O’Rourke along with Colette Fitzpatrick; the News at 5.30 with anchor Alan Cantwell; Xposé and Tonight with Vincent Browne.

Commenting today, David McRedmond CEO of TV3 said, “In Autumn 2009, TV3 broke through to become the number 1 channel for young adults in Ireland. Our aim for 2010 is to broaden our appeal as a grown-up, modern alternative to RTE.”

TV3’s Director of Programming, Ben Frow said, “This is the most diverse and eclectic schedule that TV3 has ever produced. We have landmark, controversial and campaigning programmes and the best entertainment and sport around. It’s shaping up to be good spring on TV3”.

ENDS.

For further information:
Maureen Catterson/ Ciara Byrne
TV3 PRESS OFFICE +353 1 419 3430/ 329
+353 87 780 0737/ +353 87 319 9732
Maureen.catterson@tv3.ie
Ciara.byrne@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie