A chara, - Your correspondent G. Tracy (March 27th) is concerned that TnaG carries English-language programming. It is not clear if this is prompted by a desire for more Irish language programming on the channel or by a concern that funding intended for Irish-language programming is being used for other purposes.
Let me allay the writer's concerns. TnaG has been given Exchequer monies to fund two hours of Irish-language programming a day. However, we manage to broadcast five hours of Irish-language programmes a day. These Irish-language programmes are of the highest standard and regularly win international awards, most recently at last week's International Celtic TV and Film Festival in Scotland.
There is, of course, a wider context. All of Ireland's TV stations are now in direct competition with dozens of other channels. To compete successfully a channel must provide a full day's programming. TnaG broadcasts for nine hours a day; a shorter daily schedule would mean we could not establish or maintain audience loyalty. Our nearest neighbour and closest model, the Welsh language S4C channel, has since coming on air offered a schedule combining Welsh language programming in peak time with a selection of English language Channel 4 programming. S4C is in receipt of annual UK government funding approximately seven times higher than that of TnaG.
TnaG funds its non-Irish-language schedule from non-Exchequer resources: advertising, sponsorship and programming sales. We have developed a truly original and alternative schedule to complement our Irish language programmes, including live daily coverage of Dail Eireann.
The TnaG programming mix works. Our policy of inclusion means that whenever possible our programmes are subtitled to make them accessible to all. Our sports coverage is unique, providing a national TV showcase for schools rugby, GAA club, colleges and county football and hurling. Most recently we have added both Irish and American basketball to our attractively different sports schedule which includes exclusive coverage of Spanish soccer.
Our audience has continued to grow rapidly and our daily audience reach is now 500,000 people. TnaG audience figures are now higher than many of the satellite channels available in Ireland. Our signal availability is continually being improved.
If G. Tracy is truly concerned about TnaG's continued success we would ask for help in getting increased Government funding for our programmes that support half of the jobs in the independent TV sector in Ireland.
The writer might also like to have a word with the small number of cable operators who insist on allocating TnaG, an indigenous tv channel, an inferior position outside Nos 1 to 9 on the "zapper", or TV remote control, thereby making it difficult for ordinary Irish viewers to find programmes relevant to themselves.
Finally, the third national station's quality programming would be all the more accessible and appreciated if other newspapers gave TnaG the same prominence in their listings pages as The Irish Times does. - Is mise, Padhraic O Ciardha,
Leascheannasai, TnaG, Baile na hAbhann, Co. na Gaillimhe.