TV3 to make Irish version of 'Gogglebox'
TV3 have bought the rights to make an Irish version of hit Channel 4 TV show 'Gogglebox', it was announced today.
The UK show - described as an 'observational documentary' which films the reactions of couples and families as they watch the weeks' TV highlights - has been a runaway hit with viewers.
Narrated by Craig Cash and Caroline Aherne, it has also made unlikely celebrities of some of its stars, including 'boozy posho' B&B owners Steph and Dom.
Outlining details of its 2015 schedule today, the Dublin-based independent station also revealed that its much-anticipated in-house soap opera is to be called 'Red Rock', which will be broadcast twice a week from January next.
Comedian Jason Byrne will host a new chat show/stand up series in 2015 while Donal McIntyre will present a new investigative series called 'Donal MacIntyre Investigates'.
Author and broadcaster David McWilliams will also be joining the TV3 talent roster, while the station has also secured rights to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, 'The X-Factor', 'Britain’s Got Talent' and 'Downton Abbey'.
New factual series will be 'Paramedics', 'Islanders' (filmed on the west coast of Ireland), '24 Hour Shelter' and 'Lazy Chef', hosted by Simon Lamont.
'The Great Irish Bake Off' returns alongside co-productions such as 'Ireland’s Oyster Empire' based in Co Louth. Also returning to TV3’s schedule from 2015 will be Keith Barry’s 'Brain Hacker'.
"2015 will be a landmark year for TV3 that will see the group invest the most it has ever done on home produced originated programming and a number of major entertainment co-productions," said the station's head of content Jeff Ford.
"These are exciting times for TV3 and I look forward to fulfilling our strategic goals."
More details of the 2014/2015 schedule will be presented at TV3 Group’s autumn launch in September 2014.
