TG4 is now showing its Irish-language programmes in the United States on Today's Ireland – a public service, educational and free to air channel that broadcasts on MHz Networks.
The first batch of TG4 programmes will highlight some of the station's more established content, such as chat show Comhrá with Máirtín Tom Sheáinín; singing show Sean Nós with Síle Denvir, Timpeall na Tíre, a selection of regional news stories and Féilte – Slí an Atlantaigh in which presenter Síle Ní Bhraonáin follows the Wild Atlantic Way. As well as that, US viewers will also be able to see TG4's coverage of the Ladies Football Championships from August.
Deputy head of TG4, Mr Pádhraic Ó Ciardha, said that “Irish has long been spoken in the United States but the many thousands of people in the USA who are fluent in Irish have not had access to a tv channel that has a regular and ongoing schedule of Irish-language content. We know that there is a significant demand for tv in Irish among the many users of Irish right across that country.”
He was delighted to be able to bring some of the stations’ programmes to a US audience and to complement the global access to TG4 on their own player, www.tg4.tv. He was hoping that the new television experience would result in a very “positive feedback”.
The founder and president MHz Networks – USA, Mr Fred Thomas, said that TG4's programmes would add to "the authenticity and uniqueness of Today's Ireland television. Native Irish speakers in the US, and Irish-Americans, will now have an added easy way to reinforce their cultural heritage and Irish-language skills by tuning in to Today's Ireland." In addition, English speakers would be able to follow TG4 programmes with sub-titles.
