Job cuts may be unavoidable at UTV Ireland

TV3 has confirmed redundancies may be unavoidable following the completion of its acquisition of UTV Ireland.
The company, which is owned by Virgin Media, has announced a restructuring programme to consolidate the two businesses into one.

In a statement, TV3 said it is looking to fill 40 vacancies, “many of which it is hoped will be filled by current UTV Ireland staff”.
However, UTV Ireland employs 61 permanent staff and TV3 have said the move “may result in unavoidable redundancies in UTV Ireland”.
The company will enter into a 30-day consultation period from 5 December and it is expected the final steps of this process will be completed next month.
UTV Ireland’s existing operation in Macken House in Dublin city centre will relocate to TV3’s headquarters in Ballymount.

Last week TV3 announced Coronation Street and Emmerdale, two of the country’s most popular primetime soaps, will be returning to the station from UTV Ireland from the beginning of December.
UTV Ireland will rebrand in the coming weeks and will join TV3’s existing group of channels; TV3 and 3e.

TV3 MD Pat Kiely said the announcement “strengthens independent television broadcasting in Ireland by bringing together great channels and great content under the one roof”.
The acquisition of UTV Ireland was granted regulatory approval last month – four months after the €10m deal was first announced.