UTV’s new Dublin-based television channel is to begin broadcasting in January next year.

UTV Ireland, which is expected to create at least 100 jobs, will be a general entertainment channel carrying mainly syndicated content.

However, the channel does plan to broadcast an hour-long nightly news and current affairs programme.

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) announced today it had begun negotiations for a Content Provision Contract, under Section 71 of the Broadcasting Act, with UTV Ireland Limited.

Contracts granted by the BAI under Section 71 differ from the regulatory regime applied to broadcasters like RTÉ or TV3 in that they are for content only and do not carry an automatic right to carriage on digital television platforms.

However, the contract does enable the contractor to negotiate carriage with the relevant service provider.