TV3’s Big Christmas

For further information:

Sharon McHugh
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+3531 419 3430 / 087 922 4143
sharon.mchugh@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie

Ciara Byrne
+353 1 419 3329 / 087 3199732
ciara.byrne@tv3.ie

TV3 GROUP RELEASE
IMMEDIATE: Tuesday 8th December 2009

TV3’s Big Christmas
• The biggest finals: The X Factor and The Apprentice
• The biggest Irish drama of 2009: the World Premiere of David Collin’s Belonging to Laura
• The biggest Irish Movie Premiere: TV3’s co-funded Kisses
• The biggest new Show: Keith Barry’s Deal or No Deal Celebrity Christmas Special
• The biggest schedule of celebrity and entertainment shows

TV3 Group today launched “TV3’s Big Christmas”, a Christmas big on new programmes, entertainment and celebrity. The season kicks off with the finals of two of the biggest ever shows on Irish TV, The X Factor after a record-breaking run of ratings, and the phenomenal Irish TV success The Apprentice hosted by Bill Cullen.

The centrepiece of TV3’s Christmas is the world premiere of Belonging to Laura from David Collins (producer of Once). A co-funded TV3/BAI production, this feature-length drama is a contemporary interpretation of Wilde’s Lady Windemere’s Fan, reset around a South Dublin society wedding. David Collins follow-on to Once has been the most eagerly-awaited drama of this year. The biggest Irish TV movie premiere of the year is TV3’s co-funded, IFTA Award winning Kisses, the story of two children, living on the fringes of Dublin in a drab housing estate. Macdara Kelliher’s love story has been acclaimed as a recent Irish masterpiece which continues TV3’s proud tradition of Irish film investments (such as The Wind that Shakes the Barley and Halo).

Leading a huge slate of Irish entertainment programmes is a celebrity Christmas special of Keith Barry’s Deal or No Deal (in association with The National Lottery). Irish Television is celebrated in two TV3 specials: That’s Entertainment, The Story of Irish TV which looks at great moments since the launch of Telifis Eireann in 1961 through the arrival of competition with TV3 in 1998; and The Top TV Moments of the Year which covers every big event from Obama’s inauguration, to Pat Kenny’s farewell Late Late Show, and the Hudson River plane crash.

Celebrities get the red carpet treatment on The Xposé Awards 2009 with gongs for the nicest, the rudest, the best and worst dressed, amongst others; while Ireland’s Richest Celebrities: The Biggest Losers makes a timely return. The biggest celebrity of 2009 is dedicated a day of programmes with exclusive showings of the Oprah Winfrey Special: Michael Jackson; Living with Michael Jackson; and The Wiz. Piers Morgan hosts the musical special Susan Boyle: I dreamed a Dream, and a big return is made in The Nolans: I’m in the Mood for Dancing.

Big traditional family entertainment is delivered by Ant & Dec’s Christmas Special, Vernon Kay’s All-Star Family Fortune’s Christmas Special, and an All Star Mr & Mrs Christmas Special with Joan Collins and Emma Bunton plus their other halves, and Dancing on Ice at Christmas. Ireland’s top broadcast export Graham Norton sees in the New Year with Joan Rivers and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Big movies are featured throughout TV3’s Christmas including Miracle on 34th St, Bad Santa, Ocean’s 13, Evan Almighty, The Mask, Moulin Rouge and Gladiator.

TV3 Director of Programming Ben Frow said: “TV3’s Big Christmas is all about feel-good family entertainment. We have real jewels in Belonging to Laura and Kisses and huge standouts with the X Factor and Apprentice finals, but every day across the season we are bringing big entertainment with a mix of new shows and old favourites.”

Ends.

Brian McEvoy has sent the images to your picture desks.

For further information:
Maureen Catterson
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+353 1 419 3430/ +353 87 780 0737
Maureen.catterson@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie