WLG.L Regulatory News (WLG)

UTV IRELAND WELCOMES MINISTER'S DECISION TO AWARD `PUBLIC SERVICE CHARACTER' STATUS TO IRELAND'S NEWEST TV CHANNEL * UTV Ireland reaches agreement for carriage on Saorview, Sky, UPC and eVision * UTV Ireland channel positions announced - Sky channel 116, UPC channel 110 and eVision channel 108 UTV Ireland is delighted to announce that it has been designated as `having thecharacter of a public service' under Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Mr Alex White,TD. Agreements have been reached with leading platform providers Saorview, Sky, UPCand eVision for carriage of UTV Ireland. Ireland's newest television channelwill be available on Sky channel 116, UPC channel 110 and eVision channel 108.The Saorview channel number for UTV Ireland will be allocated shortly. John McCann, Group Chief Executive, UTV Media plc said: "We welcome today's announcement by Minster White, which reflects ourcommitment to providing Irish viewers with high quality public serviceprogramming. "Today's decision represents a major milestone in UTV Ireland's short history,as this designation was important for the purposes of ensuring appropriateprominence for UTV Ireland, on the various platforms, allowing us to offerIrish viewers an increased choice of high quality content. I am delighted thatwe have now reached agreements with all platform providers and UTV Ireland willbe universally available across the country. "UTV has had a strong broadcasting presence in Ireland for over 55 years. Wenow look forward to further strengthening our presence in Irish public life,through UTV Ireland, in the years ahead." UTV Ireland will launch on 1 January 2015. For further information, please contact: Orla McKibbin, Director of Communications, UTV on +44 (0) 28 90 262188 or +44 (0) 7879 666427

1 December 2014