Telefis na Gaeilge, the country's first Irish language channel, is to be re-named TG4 from next month. The station is also to increase its broadcasting hours, adding more home produced programmes, children's programmes and reports broadcasts to its autumn schedule. TnaG, as the station is currently known, claims to have an average daily reach of 400,000 viewers. It operates on a budget of £14 million a year; has a permanent staff of 40 and provides freelance and contract work for up to 400 film-makers and production companies. Its programmes have already been sold to 13 countries.
TnaG says that the name change is part of a process of establishing itself as "an evolving Irish television channel with an alternative view". A spokesman said today that the station's "core values and its comitment to the Irish language will remain" but that TG4 would also provide more choice and quality in the station’s non Irish language schedule.
