The finale of popular TV series Lost is to be broadcast by RTÉ on Thursday, four days after it is shown on Sky1 and a number of other networks.
Sky today announced it would be airing the two and a half hour long episode at 5am on Monday in tandem with ABC’s world premiere broadcast of the programme on the US west coast.
It will also repeat the episode, entitled The End, at 9pm on Tuesday and in its regular slot at 9pm on Friday.
The unprecedented scheduling move appears to be a direct attempt to deter illegal internet streaming and downloads of the much anticipated finale of the show.
The move will also take pressure off fans to avoid news of how the cult series culminates for a number of days. The finale of the series, which began in 2004, will also be shown in tandem with the ABC broadcast by stations in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Turkey and Canada.
A spokeswoman for RTÉ television said the programme would be broadcast, as planned, at 10pm on RTÉ Two on Thursday May 27th.
She said being granted permission to air the show at an earlier time by its producer Disney was a factor in the decision.
She also said there was no earlier window available to broadcast the programme as it would clash with RTÉ's coverage of the qualifying rounds for the Eurovision song contest in Norway.
Producers have promised fans of Lost a resolution to the numerous confusing storylines of the series, which has run for 121 episodes.
