TV3 BOSSES HAVE confirmed a new, nightly, 8pm bulletin will start from next Monday.

According to a press release from the Ballymount broadcaster:

The new 30 minute comprehensive news programme, hosted by Senior TV3 News anchor Colette Fitzpatrick, brings viewers the day’s main national and international news stories, in a fast-paced programme which will also incorporate a comprehensive business and sports news section, followed by the national weather.

It’s the latest move by the station to compete with UTV Ireland. The arrival of the Docklands-based station to the scene at the start of the year meant TV3 lost the rights to evening staples like Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

A new, home-produced, soap opera ‘Red Rock’ is being shown twice a week by the station.

Martin King and Lucy Kennedy have also been moved from daytime to present magazine programme “The Seven O’Clock Show”.

Currently the 8pm slot on TV3 is filled with gameshows like ‘Celebrity Chase’ and repeats of lifestyle and documentary programming.

From the station’s press release, again:

With commuting times becoming longer, and a greater availability of audience in the early peak viewing time, TV3 has chosen the 8pm broadcast slot to provide its viewers with an alternative news time which is the norm throughout continental Europe including: Spain (Cuatro) France (TF1) Portugal (SIC) Italy (RAI).

TV3 News presenter Colette Fitzpatrick

A quote from news director Andrew Hanlon said the move had been planned for “some time” and was part of “the evolution of TV3’s overall new schedule of programmes and the introduction of landmark shows such as ‘Red Rock’ and ‘The Seven O’ Clock Show’”.

“For many people, catching the early evening news just isn’t an option as they are still travelling home from work. Now, ‘TV3 News at 8’ follows a long established European tradition, giving viewers the news at a time that suits them.”

The weekday 12.30pm and 5.30pm bulletins will continue as normal – as, of course, will Vincent Browne at 11pm.

So… Would you be more likely to tune in for news on the station, at 8pm?

Read: The Irish Film Board gives backing to the revived IFTAs 

Read: The IFTAs are going to TV3, and they’re being split into TWO

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