Cúla4 (Irish: Cúla Ceathair) is an Irish language programming block and a stand-alone television channel for Irish-speaking children in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is operated by the Irish broadcaster TG4. The channel airs from 6am to 7:54pm, timesharing with TG4 +1 (which starts at 8pm).
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| Country | Ireland |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Ireland, Northern Ireland, Worldwide (Online) |
| Network | TG4 |
| Headquarters | Co. Galway |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Irish |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV) 16:9 1080i (HDTV) 16:9 |
| Timeshift service | Cúla 4 +1 (upcoming) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Teilifís na Gaeilge |
| Sister channels | TG4 |
| History | |
| Launched | 31 October 1996 (Programming block) 1 September 2009 (Simulcast channel) 8 September 2023 (Stand-alone channel) |
| Former names | Cúlabúla (1996–1999) |
| Links | |
| Website | Cúla4.com |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Saorview | Channel 18 |
| Freeview (UK) | Channel 51 (Northern Ireland only) |
| Streaming media | |
| TG4 | Watch live (TG4) |
| Virgin TV Anywhere | Watch live (Ireland only) |
| AerTV | Watch live (TG4, Ireland only) |
Development
editThe strand was first established in 1996 as Cúlabúla; with the rebrand of TnaG to TG4. In 1999, Cúlabúla was renamed "Cúla4". As of 1 September 2009, Cúla4 is available as a separate channel to Virgin Media Ireland customers on channel 602.[1] A new schedule coincided with the launch on UPC.
The majority of programming is a mixture of homegrown and international programmes which are either dubbed or subtitled in Irish. Cúla4 works with international broadcasters to produce Irish versions of hit TV series which are seen on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, PBS and Discovery Family. It also works with homegrown animation companies to produce localized series. Cúla4 offers something unique in an already saturated kids television market in Ireland with the existence of RTÉjr/TRTÉ, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Cúla4's programming is either in Irish or in Irish and English, unlike its competition where the majority of their programmes are entirely in English.
Cúla4 ar Scoil
editAn educational programme, Cúla4 Ar Scoil ("Cúla 4 at School"), was created in April 2020, in response to the closure of all schools during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland in 2020.[2] This followed RTÉ's launch of its Home School Hub in March 2020. It is recorded in Connemara, with teachers Caitríona Ní Chualáin and Fiachra Ó Dubhghaill presenting daily lessons for the 30-minute show.[2] A second series began in September with teachers Orla Ní Fhinneadha and Micheál Ó Dubhghaill.[3][4]
Cúla4 Channel
editIn November 2021, TG4 announced that it planned to make Cúla4 as a channel available for all Irish TV providers.[5][6] The channel launched on September 8, 2023 At 4pm. It replaced the simulcast on Virgin Media and the channel was added to Sky Ireland in Ireland. The first program that aired on the channel was an episode of Pat The Dog. An ad campaign for the channel was launched in early September of that year and advertisements were played on TV and in cinemas.
The channel broadcasts from 6:00 AM until 7:40 PM and is a free to air channel.
Programming
editStrands
edit- Cúla4 na nÓg: Aired between 07:30 - 09:00, it was a programming block targeting pre-school children ages 2 to 5, and aired series such as Elmo's World, Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer (in Irish, teaching Spanish), Ni Hao Kai Lan, Franny's Feet, Inui, Helen's Little School, Rev and Roll, Timmy Time, Olobob Top, Kid-e-Cats, Florrie's Dragons, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, Zou, Dive, Olly, Dive, Mouk, Blaze and the Monster Machines and The Mr. Men Show. All programmes were in the Irish language. The block was discontinued on 11 April 2022 following Culá4's rebrand.
- CÚLA4: Airs in the afternoon between 14:00-16:50, targeting 6 to 11 year olds. Programmes include Ben 10, Johnny Test, SpongeBob SquarePants, Scaredy Squirrel, Back at the Barnyard, Eliot Kid, The Mighty B!, Skunk Fu, Bog Stop, Fanboy & Chum Chum and Clarence.
- PONC: Aired between 16:50-19:00, targeting 12 to 18 year olds, PONC hosted a number of live action drama series such as Aifric (which is also shown in Scotland on BBC Alba), and international shows such as H2O, Life with Derek, 8 Simple Rules, Pimp My Ride, My Super Sweet 16, The Hills, The City, Gossip Girl, South Park, One Tree Hill, Dance Academy, Switched at Birth, Wipeout and What I Like About You. It also showed a number of extreme sports shows such as Planet X and Groms Tour. This programming block was hosted by Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill and Colmán Mac Séalaigh. It was discontinued sometime in the early 2010s.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "TG4 - Irish language television channel - Teilifis Gaeilge - Corporate - Press Releases". Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
- ^ a b Wall, Eva (10 April 2020). "TG4 to launch new school programme for children in Irish language schools". Extra.ie. Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- ^ Mongan, Martin (9 September 2020). "Limerick college teams up with TG4 for series two of Cúla4 ar Scoil". LimerickLeader.ie. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ Lynch, Richard (2 September 2020). "MIC Teams Up with TG4 for Series 2 of Cula4 ar Scoil". ILoveLimerick.ie. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ "Tús Áite: Cainéal nua Cúla 4" [Tús Áite: New Cúla 4 channel]. RTE Radio (in Irish). 19 November 2021.
- ^ Slattery, Laura. "TG4 to appoint kids' channel manager and boost current affairs content". The Irish Times.
