RTÉ is to provide five new digital television channels which will be available on the new Saorview Digital Terrestrial Television service.
The channels are; RTÉ Two High Definition (Select), RTÉ Aertel Digital, RTÉjr, RTE Plus (Phase one) and RTÉ News Now.
No advertising will be permitted on the RTÉjr or RTÉ News Now channels.
Minister for Communications Pat Carey said the five channels will give increased choice to TV viewers throughout Ireland on platforms including Saorview which is currently being rolled out by RTÉ.
The Saorview DTT network is due to be launched in May and will replace analogue television which is due to be switched off at the end of 2012.
Speaking today Mary Curtis, RTÉ’s Director of Digital Switchover said: 'The SAORVIEW channel and service line up announced today by Minister Carey represents great news for Irish television viewers.
'For the approximately 340,000 households who currently receive just the four main free-to-air TV channels this represents a significant increase in choice.
'The SAORVIEW service will be launched at the end of May this year. We will be beginning a comprehensive public information campaign in mid March to explain how people can easily make the switch to the new SAORVIEW service and enjoy the benefits of Irish free-to-air digital television long into the future.'
