Irish music shows on web and TV

The cancellation of Channel 6's music video programme Night Shiftlast December triggered outrage from music fans across Ireland.

Now some new ventures, both on the small screen and online, are filling the gap.

Broadband supplier Magnet launched MiTV in November 2008. It’s an online media channel with short music and movie shows presented by DJ/actress (but not air hostess, as far as we know) Hilary Rose.

Their indie-oriented programme The Studio Roomfeatures video exclusives and sessions from Irish and international bands, and intends to "offer the public an indie/rock show with a different flavour," according to Rose.

Dublin-based DJ Arveene Juthan also hosts a dance-focused show called The Studio Pulse.

All programmes can be watched for free online at www.mitv.ie.

UTV also get in on the act with Live at The Limelight, a series of four one-hour programmes dedicated to unearthing new talent. The first show, which features The Vals, Jackson Cage, Joe Echo and Soundstone playing at the Belfast venue, will be aired at 10.30pm on Wednesday, February 18th.

Among the bands playing over the subsequent weeks in the same timeslot are The Coronas, Dirty Epics, A Plastic Rose and Jennifer Clarke.

“Live music has been missing from UTV’s output for some time and we wanted to change that,” said the channel’s managing director Michael Wilson.