- Shane Wallace of Wallace Media with presenter Andrea Gilligan.
The MHz Networks in the United States has confirmed that the first of its three television programmes on Donegal will be aired on Saturday 28th June at 5pm EST (10pm Irish time).
The programme will have features on the World Affairs HONORS – Gala in Washington, NI Bureau – DC breakfast event and MHz Networks Founder and CEO Fred Thomas gives an exclusive interview where he talks of his delight at having professional Donegal programmes featured on his national TV network.
The programme will also include features on Sliabh Liag, Fanad Head, Inch Levels, Malin Head with additional pieces on the Grianan Festival, Donegal Marathon and the Diaspora Conferences recently held in the Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
The programmes will be screened on Todays IRELAND – TV which is part of MHz’s national Worldview Channel which is available in 38 million American households across the USA.
“It took 40 years for Ireland to establish professional daily television programming in the United States. The steadily growing success of Today’s Ireland provides important lessons to EU nations and other countries who are seeking to harness the power of television to cost efficiently access the US TV market place.
“It provides a great platform for Donegal to connect with government and business influencers, internationally minded Americans and the Irish diaspora across America” said Mr. Tony Culley Foster UK and Ireland Representative of MHz Networks.
And the former Donegal resident added “Today’s IRELAND is now an established global content provider of MHz Networks, an independent, non-commercial and public service television broadcaster delivering international educational programming and providing diverse cultural perspectives for a globally minded audience. Today’s IRELAND TV – USA is anchored by RTE, TV3, TG4,Irish Film Board, NvTv, Belfast Community Television, NI Screen & Donegal TV and connects American viewers with contemporary Ireland through a blend of news, current affairs, politics, economy, business, education, tourism, culture, drama, sports and entertainment.”
Shane Wallace Founder and Director of Donegal TV & Wallace Media International who produced the 3 programmes on Donegal said it was very encouraging to receive international recognition.
“Mhz only air programmes of the highest quality so it is pleasing that they have accepted our features and indeed have been very complementary about our shows on Donegal. When I filmed recently in the States many of the show participants had already visited Ireland and our county and are enthusiastic ambassadors for tourism in Donegal. Our programmes will promote the county and NW of Ireland to a very wide audience throughout the USA”.
Paul McLoone, who assisted in the production of the features said that from a tourism perspective it was great news for Donegal.
“I was working in tourism for many years and was only too well aware of the difficulties of getting the proper international platform to promote Donegal as we always felt we were fighting an uphill battle with the distribution stakeholders.
“We were aware that if we made interesting programmes of the highest quality that an opportunity for US broadcast would arise so we are delighted that MHz will showcase Donegal to such a huge American audience”.
The second show will be screened on July 5th at 5pm EDT and will include highlights from former President Bill Clinton’s recent visit to Derry and will have interviews with two very successful Donegal people in the States; NYPD Chief Kevin Ward and jazz singer Tara O’Grady. In addition there is a special report on the ‘Donegal is Happy’ video which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show throughout the US and a short feature from the British – Irish Assembly meeting in Dublin.
American viewers who also watch Donegal TVs content online via www.donegaltv.ie & www.facebook.com/DonegalTV were fascinated by Donegal TVs recent local elections coverage and as a consequence Show # 3 will be a Donegal Election Special from all of Donegals local constituencies and the European Constituency of Midlands North West. This show will also be aired on MHz’s Today’s IRELAND on July 5th at 5.30pm for information in how to receive MHz Todays Ireland in America visit www.todaysireland.tv the Programmes is also available on visit www.donegaltv.ie & www.facebook.com/donegaltv
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