TV3 have released details of their new ambitious schedule for 2015 and for the first time, the TV channel are spending more on original content rather than acquisitions for the station. The new programme has been rolled out under six key sections. In soap, the station has announced its first originated soap drama, Red Rock, which will be broadcast twice weekly from January 2015. Red Rock is under the direction of Element Pictures Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe, Company Pictures, soap guru, John Yorke and writer Peter McKenna. TV3 will launch two major entertainment co-productions; Sitting On A Fortune and Algorithm, both of which will be filmed in the TV3 Sony HD Studio. Returning to TV3 will be the hugely successful game show The Lie. Separately, it was today revealed that TV3 has bought the rights to create an Irish version of Channel 4’s hit show Gogglebox. Programmes which will return in 2015 exclusive to TV3 are X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent while TV3 has secured Downton Abbey for life of series. For sports and events, TV3 will air the largest ever sport’s event on Irish TV, the 2015 Rugby World Cup, for which TV3 has exclusive rights to the whole tournament. 2015 also sees the return of UEFA Champions’ League and Europa League football to TV3 and 3e. TV3’s Independent Production Unit will double its output from 50 to 100 hours in 2015. New factual series from the IPU will be Paramedics (following such successes as Children’s Hospital and Midwives), Islanders filmed on the West Coast of Ireland, 24 Hour Shelter and Lazy Chef, hosted by Simon Lamont. The Great Irish Bake Off returns alongside co-productions such as Ireland’s Oyster Empire based in Co. Louth and Paul Kelly’s Masterclass, presented by the Great Irish Bake Off judge. Also returning to TV3’s schedule from 2015 will be Keith Barry’s wildly successful Brain Hacker. New talent announced today included comedian Jason Byrne alongside crime reporter Donal MacIntyre and economist, author and broadcaster David McWilliams. Jason will host a new chat show/stand up series in 2015 while Donal will present a new investigative series called Donal MacIntyre Investigates. Full details of the 2014/2015 schedule will be presented at TV3 Group’s autumn launch in September 2014.