The management of Irish television station Channel 6 is expected to abandon plans to screen pornography after objections from some board members and investors.
The controversial move was the main topic of discussion at a board meeting of the company in Dublin yesterday. It is understood that it was agreed the soft pornography programming should not now be aired by the entertainment channel, which is aimed at 15- to 34-year-olds.
Channel 6 is backed by a number of prominent local investors, including the Barry's Tea family in Cork and Senator Feargal Quinn. Reports that the channel planned to show such movies are understood to have embarrassed both Mr Quinn and Deirdre Clune, Peter Barry's daughter. Ms Clune is a Fine Gael councillor and is contesting the general election in the Cork South Central constituency.
The company's other investors are the Gowan Group, which is owned by the Maughan family and holds a number of car franchises, venture capital groups ACT and Delta, and Claret Capital, a local private equity group.
Chairman Pat Donnelly and chief executive Michael Murphy, whose brainchild the station was, are also investors in the project. The station launched in March 2006 with backing of €14 million.
A spokesman for Channel 6 confirmed that the plan to show the films was discussed at the board meeting but said no final decision had been taken. He said "subsequent discussions" would take place.
To date the station has failed to gain its expected audience, securing just 2 per cent of 15- to 34-year-olds in Dublin. It runs a mix of US comedies and dramas and locally-produced music and film-review shows.
Channel 6 had planned to screen a series of erotic programmes after midnight from May 4th. The programming was bought from a French distributor and the deal was announced in Cannes last week.
At the time, Mr Murphy said the programmes would be aimed at male viewers. He said an initial 10-week run was planned but the station would consider extending that if they were "received well".
While the board meeting was held in Dublin, Mr Donnelly took part via phone from his US base.
It is understood that representatives for ACT, Delta and Claret Capital argued that the programmes should not be aired.
The Barry family and the Gowan Group, who are not members of the board, are also thought to have objected.
The decision not to show the films will increase pressure on Mr Murphy and Mr Donnelly.
In recent weeks, Mr Donnelly has accused Sky of dumping cheap advertisements in the market, a claim rejected by the satellite broadcaster.
The channel has also criticised the ratings system operated by Nielsen, arguing that it does not accurately capture its audience figures.
Channel 6 initially launched on the NTL cable television platform. It shunned Sky in a row over its position on the electronic programming guide, but reversed this decision earlier this year in a bid to boost its ratings. The move means that the channel is now available in the two-thirds of Irish homes that have pay TV.
