TV3 and TG4 have welcomed the announcement by cable television company NTL that it is to reposition the two indigenous channels on its analogue spectrum space from September 1st.
NTL is to cluster all four national television stations closer together in prime cable positions. The new channel line-up will see TV3 swapping places on the spectrum with Sky News and TG4 swapping with the cartoon channel Nickelodeon.
The decision means TV3 and TG4 will have single-digit status on the spectrum, which the two stations hope will help increase their viewership figures.
The chief executive and managing director of TV3, Mr Rick Hetherington, said the move reflected the importance of the indigenous channels in an increasingly competitive environment.
"TV3 is pleased that NTL's commitment to Irish television channels will enable viewers to access TV3 in an easier manner and increase the number of viewers tuning in. This is an important step in the development of the fledging independent broadcasting industry," Mr Hetherington said.
Mr Padhraic O Ciardha, leascheannasai of TG4, said: "As Ireland prepares to enter the digital television era, it is vital that all necessary steps are taken to ensure that our national services are positioned in a prominent position." The decision follows long negotiations between the two channels and NTL since the cable company bought Cablelink from Eircom and RTE last August. TV3 also said that following the repositioning, it would discontinue its High Court proceedings against Cablelink which NTL inherited on taking over Cablelink. The managing director of NTL, Mr Ian Jeffers said: "Over a year ago when we entered the Irish marketplace, we made it clear that NTL would support Irish television stations. This repositioning is a very clear demonstration of that support."
TV3 and TG4 had expressed disappointment about being excluded from the recent deal between RTE and NTL that saw RTE1 and Network 2 made available to viewers in Northern Ireland along with BBC, UTV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 as part of NTL's basic cable package.
However, a spokeswoman for NTL said the RTE agreement took up to five years to complete and it would probably take some time to agree conditions with the other channels.
While formal negotiations have not yet begun between either with TV3 or TG4 on this issue, she believed yesterday's announcement would bring NTL "one step closer to bringing online the four indigenous channels to viewers in Northern Ireland".