Irish TV and Celtic Media Group partner for exclusive live election TV broadcast

Ireland’s first international TV channel, Irish TV and one of the country’s leading newspaper groups, Celtic Media Group (CMG), parent company of The Anglo-Celt, have joined forces to bring exclusive live TV coverage and in-depth analysis and debate of the Local and European Elections to viewers across the globe.

The live broadcast from 7-9pm on Sunday, May 25, from Dublin will be aired on SKY TV channel 191, Freesat 400, Eircom’s eVision and across the globe on IrishTV.ie

The broadcast will also be available live on CMG’s seven local newspaper websites, which include The Anglo-Celt; the Offaly Independent; Westmeath Examiner, Meath Chronicle, Westmeath Independent, Forum and the newly-acquired Connaught Telegraph newspaper in Mayo.

Frank Mulrennan, CEO at CMG, said he was delighted to be partnering with Irish TV.

“We’re very excited and interested in developing our digital offering and Irish TV is the leader in this market. It is great to see an innovative TV platform like Irish TV that has its finger on the pulse of news, sports and events in every county in Ireland,” he said.

Commenting on the partnership Irish TV CEO, Pierce O’Reilly said the live broadcast on May 25 would give viewers a unique insight into how democracy is rolled out in Ireland. He also said it is the first time the global Irish diaspora at home and abroad would get a chance to engage with the electorate.

“We are very excited about this partnership as Celtic Media Group is one of the leading newspaper groups in Ireland. Their publications, both in-paper and on-line, are highly regarded and their political coverage and analysis is of the highest standard,” he said.

The live broadcast will have all the results from every corner of Ireland with interviews with all parties and candidates from across the country.

Meanwhile, CMG has been confirmed as the new owner of The Connaught Telegraph, the oldest local newspaper in the country.

The acquisition brings to an end a period of grave uncertainty at the Castlebar-based title and secures the future of 11 jobs and a proud heritage.

CMG bought the newspaper title and assets from the Liquidator, Mr Seán McNamara, for an undisclosed sum last week.

CMG has a high calibre printing plant in Navan, and a graphic design centre in Mullingar. Both have provided quality print and pre-press services to The Connaught Telegraph since 2011.

The group is acknowledged as one of the most progressive media companies in Ireland, with a turnover of €10m and employing 125 people.

The acquisition of The Connaught Telegraph represents the first new title purchased by CMG since the management buyout from its former Scottish directors in 2012.

“We are very proud as an Irish company, owned by its Irish management team, to be adding such a fine newspaper, with a tradition dating back to 1828, into our group of newspapers,” said Mr Mulrennan.