A chara, Your correspondent, Eoghan O Riagain, complains that he is being deprived of his favourite classical radio station by the arrival on his television set of the TnaG channel via Cablelink. His perceived grievance is more imagined that real. Mr O Riagain can tune in to our new and exciting television service without being deprived of any classical music radio station.
RTE's FM3 and the UK based Classic FM and BBC Radio 3 continue to be available on stereo FM to Dublin Cablelink subscribers who tune their radio receivers to them. This arrangement ensures the best quality reception, which many music lovers prefer and is one which I have used for many years.
Mr O Ri again's stated neutrality towards TnaG may change if he takes the opportunity to watch our programmes. We offer a comprehensive programme schedule which has something to suit most tastes, including classical music lovers (Siansa, Mondays, 6.30 pm, Saturdays 9.02 pm).
His cursory description of TnaG programming will not ring true to our viewers. TnaG has not transmitted any oldie films, nor does it intend to do so. (The only film we have transmitted to date was the world premiere of Draiocht, a newly produced film starring Gabriel Byrne.) Neither have we broadcast any poor Gaelic football matches, nor do we intend to do so. (It is difficult to understand how any of the fiercely competitive sports events we have carried could be described as corny.)
The TnaG test card, like that of most other television stations, is broadcast outside programme transmission hours, both to identify the channel for new subscribers and to provide basic signal and other technical specifications for the television trade. I trust that this information will allow Mr O Riagan to avail of Ireland's new quality television channel, while receiving high quality stereo FM reception of his classical music favourites. - Is mise le meas,
Eagarthoir,
Forbairt agus Faisneis,
Teilifis na Gaeilge, Baile na hAbhann, Co na Gaillimhe.