Ireland’s TG4 launches first Irish-language children’s channel Cúla4
Cúla4 has been a programming block on TG4 since 1996
Irish pubcaster TG4 has launched the first ever Irish-language children’s channel, Cúla4.
Cúla4 has been present as a programming block on TG4 since its formation in 1996. The new standalone channel will air for 14 hours daily from 06.00 until 20.00 and will be available for streaming at cula4.com and via a dedicated app.
The free-to-air channel is aimed at kids up to the age of 12 and will include entertainment, drama, educational programming and news, through a mix of locally produced content from Irish indies and acquired international shows that will be re-voiced into the Irish language.
Cúla4 will have a six-minute news service from Tuesday to Friday, produced by Fíbín Media. The channel will be anchored by presenters from different parts of Ireland, who will host different slots. Educational content will air from 09.00, with entertainment for older kids scheduled from 15.00.
Programmes on Cúla4 include weather-themed gameshow Anfa from Fíbín Media, water-based gameshow Uiscenauts from Abú Media, and Ronin Films’ M’Ainm Mo Scéal – about the meaning and stories associated with given names.
From Paper Owl Films is Uisce Uisce, a series for children who love water activities, while Teach Spraoi comes from Macalla and follows groups of children who have two days to design and build a playhouse.
Karina Feirtéar, channel manager at Cúla4, said: “It’s an historic day for TG4 and the Irish language. The new Cúla4 channel ensures Irish-language content is more accessible for our younger audiences and will hopefully strengthen their engagement with it, as they are the future generation.
“We developed a space for our audience to enjoy entertaining content when they like and will continue to make sure we represent our diverse audience as best we can by showcasing lives in Ireland today, through a fun and colourful experience, while immersing them in a living language, in the hope they learn new things about the world around them through a medium they are used to.”
