Taoiseach launches Ireland's first TV news channel

The first Irish 24-hour news channel will be launched by the Taoiseach this afternoon.

The channel, irelandlivetelevision.tv, aims to appeal to the estimated 70 million people who make up Irish diaspora and follows the standard TV news format of news, business, sport and weather in 15-minute segments.

The online service is the brainchild of Mr Andy Ruane, the managing director of Like It Love It Productions and owner of the Anner Media Group.

According to Mr Ruane, the channel - which hopes to make money from online advertising - will be the centerpiece of a network that will eventually include music, entertainment, sports, politics, business and finance, and Irish-language programming.

Despite the bad experiences of many online enterprises that built their business models on the premise they would make large amounts of money through advertising, Mr Ruane remains undaunted.

With irelandlivetelevision’s ability to stream traditional television advertising - as opposed to relying on static banner advertising found on most websites - he is confident his company will suceed where others have failed.

The news content on the channel is being bought in from INN (Independent Network News), which provides news bulletins to local radio stations around the country.

The online project has cost nearly €3.8 million. In addition, Mr Ruane paid nearly €1.27 million for the post-production company Anner International, which he later rebranded Anner Media Group.

Mr Ruane's Like It Love Itcompany produces a number of TV programmes for Irish television channels, including Céol Tireand Pop TVfor TG4; Perfect Match for TV3; and Dodge The Questionand Top 30 Hits,which it makes for RTÉ. .

Its show The Lyrics Boardis syndicated in 21 countries and is the most successful music game show in the world.