ITV’s recent decision to introduce a paywall for its online content has prompted TV3 to consider a similar move.

“We’re going to take a look,” TV3 chief executive David McRedmond told me this week.

“We’re going to experiment with micro payments. Obviously, there’s a value to online content; it’s just a question of where that value lies.” McRedmond said the Ballymount-based broadcaster would probably begin testing early in the new year using Pay Wizard, which Film4 uses in the UK.

He said it was likely to focus on previews of shows – that is before they air on TV3 – and special editions. It’s unlikely that the whole of 3Player or TV3.ie will be put behind a paywall.

ITV’s model is quite simple. Catch-up programming is made available for free for up to seven days after being aired. Thereafter, programmes can cost from 49 pence a pop to rent. Programmes remain available for 30 days after being aired.

The TV3 boss said the search for a successor to programming chief Ben Frow, who leaves at the end of next month, is at the “mid-point” of the process.

Rosemary Collins, a specialist media executive search consultant, is handling the process.

According to McRedmond, a number of “good internal and good external” candidates are in the mix.

“I would like to make an appointment by the end of the year but, if we have to wait three months for someone to be able to join us, that’s okay,” he said.

“We have our programming for the first six months of next year already worked out so we don’t need to rush this.”