TV3 to re-brand and launch new premium sports service in August

It's all change out at Ballymount with TV3 announcing wholesale changes that will come into effect next month.
“The group’s three free-to-air channels TV3, 3e and be3 will be rebranded as Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Three," we’re told. "The rebrand will come into effect on August 30th 2018, when viewers will see the new channel identities on-air. In addition, a brand new sports channel, Virgin Media Sport, is being announced for Virgin Media customers. The channel will be the home of top class European football and the latest sports news.
"In all, Virgin Media Television will air over 450 top-level football matches in the coming season including UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League as well as Qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2020 together with a range of exciting fixtures from the inaugural UEFA Nations League that begins in September and from other top football tournaments. Graeme Souness will head up the panel of experts, bringing award-winning analysis and opinion to the most prestigious football competitions in the world.
"After a momentous year for Irish rugby and in addition to exclusive coverage of the NatWest 6 Nations, the Heineken Champions Cup Rugby will be live and free-to-air television for the first time since 2006. Broadcasting nine live Heineken Champions Cup rugby games, Virgin Media Television will show one live group stage match per week, followed by one Quarter-Final and one Semi-Final, culminating in the Champions Cup Final in May.”
A new, nightly 8pm news bulletin will be presented by Claire Brock, and Adrian Dunbar is to star in Blood, a psychological crime thriller series written by Sophie Petzal of Red Rock and Riviera renown. Ireland’s Got Talent and its spin-offs will return in early 2019 with submissions now being sought. Elsewhere, David McWilliams, Donncha O’Callaghan and Simon Delaney will all feature prominently in the new Virgin Media schedule.
“As part of Virgin Media, TV3 group channels have grown in scale and quality,” reflects Group MD, Pat Kiely. “It’s now time to build on this momentum and move to Virgin Media Television. This is a natural evolution as we bring our channels and platform closer together. Virgin Media One, the new name for TV3, will be the home of some of Ireland’s biggest and most popular shows with Virgin Media Two, Three and Sport giving our viewers and customers a diverse choice of great content. These are exciting times for media and we’re delighted to be at the forefront of the changing face of broadcasting in Ireland.”