Irish terrestrial channels join Sky's line-up in Ireland

The four Irish terrestrial channels have now become available to all Sky Digital customers in the Republic of Ireland.
RTE 1, Network 2, TV3 and TG4 will occupy positions 101,102, 103 and 104 respectively on the dedicated Irish electronic programming guide (EPG) on Tuesday, April 23.
Welcoming the stations, Mark Deering, Director of Sky Ireland, said: "We are delighted to welcome RTE1, Network 2, TV3 and TG4 on Sky digital. Having the Irish terrestrial channels at the top positions on the EPG will further strengthen Sky's digital offering in Ireland. Sky now offers the strongest line-up of channels and provides the best value in multichannel television".
RTÉ's Director-General, Bob Collins, said: "As Ireland's public service broadcaster, RTÉ is committed to maximising choice for our viewers and listeners. We put our audience first and by joining the Sky platform we have increased the choice of access to all our channels - RTÉ 1 and Network 2 on television and Radio 1, 2fm, Raidio na Gaeltachta and Lyric FM on radio."
The success of Sky Digital with 220,000 subscribers (up to 31 December 2001) has made Ireland a leader in European digital television with the third highest (approx 20%) digital penetration rate in Europe. Only the UK and Spain exceed this figure (source – Informa Media, November 2001 and Sky estimates).
Sky's digital television offering in Ireland will soon be enhanced by the introduction of interactive services such as email, SMS messaging and other services.
More than 14 million viewers in 5.7 million households in the UK and Ireland subscribe to Sky Digital's service that includes movies, news, entertainment and sport, as well as interactive services.
Sky's own channels, such as Sky News and Sky One, are available in a further 600,000 homes in Ireland, via cable, and the company is also delivering sports, entertainment and breaking news online, as well as through mobile phones and personal digital assistants.
Radio stations 2FM, Raidio na Gaeltachta and Lyric FM have also joined RTE Radio 1 on Sky Digital and will be available across the UK & Ireland.
Sky Digital, www.sky.com
(KMcA)