TV3 unveils autumn schedule

Red Rock will now air on Monday nights

Irish commercial broadcaster TV3 has launched an autumn schedule that includes a local version of hit UK format Gogglebox and a string of new dramas and documentaries.

The Virgin Media-owned broadcaster announced its revamped line-up at the National Concert Hall in Dublin yesterday as it looks to position itself as a direct competitor to pubcaster RTÉ, which unveiled its own autumn schedule last month.

TV3’s offering will include the Irish version of Gogglebox, which will be narrated by Deirdre O’Kane and Mrs Brown’s Boys star Rory Cowan, and another series of culinary format MasterChef.

Joining those will be six new original scripted productions: Mammal, Emily, Cardboard Gangsters, A Date For Mad Mary, It’s Not Yet Dark and Fourth Act.

Soap opera Red Rock has been given a new home on Monday nights and will now air once a week in an hour-long slot at 21.30. The series will return on September 12.

TV3 also said it would concentrate heavily on current affairs after Irish journalist Pat Kenny was announced as the new host of a primetime programme that debates the issues of the day.

In July, TV3 appointed RTÉ exec Bill Malone as its new director of programming.