View source for TG4

{{short description|Irish-language television network}}
{{about|the Irish-language television channel|the R&B quartet|Tom Gurl Four|the Italian television news program|TG4 (TV program)}}
{{redirect|Teilifís na Gaeilge|the channel's parent company|Teilifís na Gaeilge (corporation)|other channels with "4" in their name|Channel 4 (disambiguation)}}
{{Update|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = TG4
| logo = TG4 logo.svg
| logo_size = 180px
| logo_alt = TG4 logo
| image = 
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1996|10|31|df=y}}<ref name="ire96">{{cite web|url=https://ireland.mom-gmr.org/en/media/detail/outlet/tg4-3/|title=Launch of TG4}}</ref>
| timeshift_service = {{ubl|TG4 +1|TG4 +2 (online only)}}
| owner = {{lang|ga|[[Teilifís na Gaeilge (corporation)|Teilifís na Gaeilge]]}}
| country = [[Republic of Ireland]]
| language = [[Irish language|Irish]], English
| area = {{ubl|[[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]|[[Northern Ireland]]|Worldwide {{small|(online with both live streaming and some of its programming)}}}}
| picture_format = [[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]]) [[16:9]]
| former_names = {{lang|ga|Teilifís na Gaeilge}} (TnaG)<br />(1996–1999)
| website = [http://www.tg4.ie/ www.tg4.ie]
| key_people = {{ubl|Deirdre Ní Choistín<br />(Director General)}}
| terr_serv_1 = [[Saorview]]
| terr_chan_1 = Channel 4 (HD)
| terr_serv_2 = [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] (Northern Ireland only)
| terr_chan_2 = Channel 53 (SD)
| online_serv_1 = TG4.ie
| online_chan_1 = [https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/watch-live/home Watch live]
| online_serv_2 = Virgin TV Anywhere
| online_chan_2 = [https://www.virginmediatv.ie/en/tv/channel-asset.html/954956327318/location/6651943228.html Watch live] <small>(Ireland only)</small>
}}

'''TG4''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|t|i:|_|dʒ|i:|_|ˈ|k|æ|h|ər}}; {{langx|ga|TG Ceathair}}, {{IPA|ga|ˌtʲeːɟeː ˈcahəɾʲ|pron}}) is an Irish [[free-to-air]] public service television channel. It launched on 31 October 1996 and is available online and through its on-demand service [[TG4 Player]] in Ireland and beyond.

TG4 was initially known as '''{{lang|ga|Teilifís na Gaeilge|italics=no}} (TnaG)''', before being renamed in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0804/2798-tnag/|title=TnaG Announce Name Change}}</ref> It was the third national station to be launched in Ireland, after [[RTÉ One]] in 1961 (as {{lang|ga|Teilifís Éireann}}) and [[RTÉ Two]] in 1978. It was followed by a fourth channel, TV3 (now called [[Virgin Media One]]), in 1998.

On average 1.2m people watch TG4 in the Republic of Ireland every week.<ref>{{cite web |title=About TG4 {{!}} Irish Language Television, Online Streaming Player |url=https://www.tg4.ie/en/corporate/background/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=TG4 |language=en-IE}}</ref> 650,000 viewers tune into the channel each day. It has a 2% share of the national television market in the Republic of Ireland and 3% of the national television market in Northern Ireland. The daily Irish-language programme schedule is its core service: seven hours of programming in Irish supported by a wide range of material in other languages, mostly English and French.<ref>[https://www.tg4.ie/ga/sceideal/sceideal-an-lae/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201000632/https://www.tg4.ie/ga/sceideal/sceideal-an-lae/|date=1 December 2022}}, TG4 airs France 24 overnight.</ref>

==Channels==
*TG4 (launched 31 October 1996; upscaled to HD in 2012)
*TG4 +1 (launched 3 February 2021, online only and [[Saorview]] from September 8, 2023)
*TG4 +2 (launched 3 February 2021, online only)
*Cúla4 (Children's channel, launched 8 September 2023)<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCaughren |first=Samantha |date=14 August 2022 |title=Virgin Media and TG4 both set to launch new TV channels |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/virgin-media-and-tg4-both-set-to-launch-new-tv-channels/41908691.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=Irish Independent}}</ref>

===TG4 HD===
'''TG4 HD''' launched on 2 October 2012,<ref name="TG4 HD to Launch in October">{{cite web|url=http://support.upc.ie/app/answers/detail/a_id/463/|title=New Channels Announced|publisher=UPC Ireland|access-date=26 September 2012|archive-date=20 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220182359/https://www.virginmedia.ie/customer-support/|url-status=live}}</ref> exclusively on UPC Ireland (since rebranded as [[Virgin Media Ireland]]),<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Hugh |date=2 October 2012 |title=RTÉ News Now and TG4 HD now available on UPC |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/rte-news-now-tg4-upc-619405-Oct2012/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=The Journal}}</ref> and later on [[Sky Ireland|Sky]] in August 2016<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://assets.gov.ie/83899/1c845fd0-349b-4753-b71e-62113cdceda6.pdf |title=Public Funding Review of Public Service Broadcasters |date=6 December 2017 |publisher=Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |page=42}}</ref> and Saorview on 1 December 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 December 2022 |title=TG4 HD available for Saorview customers in Ireland |url=https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2022-2/tg4-hd-available-for-saorview-customers-in-ireland/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |website=TG4}}</ref> The first [[High-definition television|HD]] broadcast featured the 2012 TG4 Ladies Gaelic Football Championship final. TG4 HD, similar to [[RTÉ Two HD]], broadcasts mainly sporting programming from national to international events, documentaries, movies and US programming in high-definition where available. It is anticipated that TG4 will itself start broadcasting its own programming produced in high-definition in the future.<ref name="TG4 HD to Launch in September">{{cite web |title=TG4 HD to Launch in September |url=http://cce.gno.ie/ent/2012/07July/10TG4HD.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006050245/http://cce.gno.ie/ent/2012/07July/10TG4HD.php |archive-date=6 October 2015 |access-date=19 July 2012 |publisher=CCÉ}}</ref>

'''Format'''
* The channel [[simulcast]]s content from TG4 SD and [[Video scaler|upscales]] SD content into HD. All other content on the channel will be made available entirely in HD.

==History==
[[File:TG4, Baile na hAbhann, Conamara, Co. na Gaillimhe (2014).jpg|250px|thumb|TG4 headquarters in [[Baile na hAbhann, County Galway]] (2014)]]
In 1969, [[Lelia Doolan]], Jack Dowling and [[Bob Quinn (Irish filmmaker)|Bob Quinn]] published ''Sit down and Be Counted'', a book describing their campaign for a separate Irish-language television service. Bob Quinn is a film director who produced many documentaries and fiction films in the Irish language on limited budgets, including the first Irish-language feature film ''[[Poitín (film)|Poitín]]'' starring [[Niall Tóibín]], [[Cyril Cusack]] and [[Donal McCann]].<ref name="ReferenceA">O'Connor, Margaret. ''A Separate Irish language Television Channel?'', Dublin City University</ref>

The three writers proposed small temporary buildings for [[Gaeltacht]] regional television services broadcasting a limited number of hours each night, with programming coming from each of the Gaeltacht regions around the country.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

[[RTÉ]] and the Irish government had sought to improve the availability of Irish-language programming on RTÉ services. In 1972, [[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta]] (RnaG) was set up to provide Irish-language radio services across the country. All radio and television services provided by RTÉ provided some Irish-language programming.

In 1980, a new group called {{lang|ga|Coiste ar son Teilifís Gaeltachta}} (The Committee for Gaeltacht Television) was set up. In 1987 they set up the pirate television station {{lang|ga|Teilifís na Gaeltachta}}, after years of delays, including the sudden death of their technician who was to build the transmitter. Eighteen hours of live and pre-recorded programming was broadcast between 2 and 5 November 1987. The transmitter was built at a cost of [[Irish pounds|IR£4,000]] through donations from local [[Gaeltacht]] communities. In December 1988, further broadcasts were transmitted from three different sites, broadcasting pre-recorded programming.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The movement for a national Irish-language television service continued to gain momentum afterwards. In 1989, Ciarán Ó Feinneadha, one of the members of Coiste ar son Teilifís Gaeltachta, moved to [[Dublin]] and set up a similar organisation in the capital called {{lang|ga|Feachtas Náisiúnta Teilifíse}} (FTN). FTN outlined their demands:

* A television station to be set up in the [[Gaeltacht]] regions serving the [[Gaeltacht]] and Irish speakers across the country.
* It should be linked to [[RTÉ]], but independent from both editorial and organisational points of view.
* A special authority set up to run it with representatives from RTÉ, the Department of Communications, and [[Údarás na Gaeltachta]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

It was also suggested that the cap on advertising on RTÉ be removed and the additional funds be designated for the new services. [[Ray Burke (Irish politician)|Ray Burke]] had limited the advertising minutes on RTÉ a few years previously. Hence, there would be no cost to the Exchequer, and funding would also come from the National Lottery and the television Licence.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

FTN suggested two hours of programming each day, with the rest of the broadcast hours used for [[Open University]]–type programming.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In the early 1990s, Irish-language programmes amounted to only 5% of total programming broadcast by RTÉ, and this was reduced significantly during the summer months.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Programmes included ''[[Echo Island]]'' for children, and current affairs programme {{lang|ga|Cursaí}}. Before the establishment of TG4, RTÉ had suggested the use of RTÉ Two's prime-time schedule for Irish-language programming.

The outgoing coalition parties of [[Fianna Fáil]] and the [[Progressive Democrats]] (PDs) called for the establishment of an Irish-language television station in their 1989 [[manifestos]]. Fianna Fáil stated that it would set up an Irish-language television service in the Galway Gaeltacht that would service the whole country. The PDs also looked to the setting-up of what they called "{{lang|ga|Teilifís na Gaeltacha}}" (TnaG). The [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]]'s manifesto from 1987 also called for the establishment of such a channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://michaelpidgeon.com/manifestos/docs/green/Green%20Party%20GE%201987.pdf|title=Irish Manifestos|work=michaelpidgeon.com|df=dmy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221164011/http://michaelpidgeon.com/manifestos/docs/green/Green%20Party%20GE%201987.pdf|archive-date=21 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fianna Fáil entered into coalition with the [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] in 1993, and as part of their programme for government, the parties included the setting-up of TnaG. Taoiseach [[Albert Reynolds]] appointed [[Michael D. Higgins]] as [[Minister for Children, Disability and Equality|Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht]] and responsibility for broadcasting was given to this department. Higgins and other Labour ministers resigned in November 1994. In December 1994, the government was succeeded by the [[24th government of Ireland|Rainbow Coalition]]. Higgins was re-appointed as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht under Taoiseach [[John Bruton]]. The new programme for government also sought to launch TnaG as the 3rd channel. TnaG launched in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://michaelpidgeon.com/manifestos/pfgs.htm|title=Irish Manifestos|work=michaelpidgeon.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140208202209/http://michaelpidgeon.com/manifestos/pfgs.htm|archive-date=2014-02-08}}</ref>

===On the air===
The total cost in establishing the transmission and links networks, and the construction of the station's headquarters in the [[Connemara]] [[Gaeltacht]], was IR£16.1 million (€20.4 million). Annual running costs increased from IR£10.2 million (€12.95 million) in 1996 to IR£16 million (€20.3 million) in 2001, and €30 million in 2006.

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Tnag425x250.jpg|thumb|left|TnaG Logo 1996 to 1999 at launch]] -->
In fewer than six months from the launch of Teilifís na Gaeilge, almost 65% of Ireland's television sets were able to receive the channel and the nightly audience had risen to 250,000 viewers. Three months later, in May 1997, independent research revealed that the station was able to attract audiences of 500,000, or 68% of television sets in Ireland, for at least one hour's viewing per week.

Very significant assistance in non-monetary terms comes from RTÉ which is required to provide over 360 hours of programming annually at no cost to TG4. TnaG did not come on air until 1996. The initial aim was to show one hour of Irish-language programming each night, increasing to two hours by 1999.

Initial criticisms of the planned station came from journalist [[Kevin Myers]] who derided TnaG as a [[white elephant]], calling it '{{lang|ga|Teilifís De Lorean}}', in a reference to the ill-fated [[DeLorean Motor Company]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/entertainment/tv-radio/the-cheers-27889128.html |title=The cheers |newspaper=[[Evening Herald]] |date=17 October 2008 |access-date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308140610/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/entertainment/tv-radio/the-cheers-27889128.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mac Coisdealbh |first=Michael |date=6 July 1996 |title=Letters: TRINITY OF ERRORS? |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/trinity-of-errors-1.64888 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201062952/https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/trinity-of-errors-1.64888 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |access-date=13 October 2024 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

TnaG was the third terrestrial television channel in Ireland. A fourth channel, [[Virgin Media Television (Ireland)|TV3]], was launched on 20 September 1998. Despite being the fourth channel in Ireland, TV3's naming secured it the "third place" listing in many television listings, which had previously been occupied by TnaG.<ref>{{cite news |title=Television |work=The Irish Times |date=20 September 1999 |pages=24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Television and Radio |work=The Irish Times |date=17 September 1998 |pages=30}}</ref> TnaG was renamed TG4 in September 1999, which reduced the likelihood of being further relegated in television listings and/or on television sets.<ref>{{cite news |title=TnaG announce name change |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0804/2798-tnag/ |access-date=5 August 2025 |work=RTÉ News |date=4 August 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ó Muirí |first1=Pól |title=Slán le TnaG |work=The Irish Times |date=1 September 1999 |pages=19}}</ref>

In 2006, the Irish postal service, [[An Post]], marked ten years of the Irish-language station with a commemorative stamp. The station published a book entitled {{lang|ga|TG4@10: Deich mBliana de TG4}} (Ten Years of TG4).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.galwayindependent.com/local-news/local-news/tg4-book-celebrates-milestone/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123225915/http://www.galwayindependent.com/local-news/local-news/tg4-book-celebrates-milestone/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 January 2013 |title=TG4 book celebrates milestone |date=22 October 2008 |newspaper=Galway Independent |access-date=7 June 2010 }}</ref>

On 1 April 2007, Teilifís na Gaeilge became an independent [[state-sponsored bodies of the Republic of Ireland|statutory corporation]].<ref>{{Cite ISB|title=Broadcasting Act|year=2001|number=4|section=44|stitle=Teilifís na Gaeilge.}}</ref> Former [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] president Peter Quinn became first chairman of the corporation. The other members appointed to the authority were Joe Connolly, Pádraig MacDonnacha, Eilís Ní Chonghaile, Méabh Mhic Ghairbheith, Méadhbh Nic an Airchinnigh, Bríd Ní Neachtáin, Feargal Ó Sé, and Regina Culliton.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 April 2007 |title=New board announced for independent TG4 |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0403/87471-tg4/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=RTÉ News}}</ref> Coinciding with TG4's independence from RTÉ, TG4 began broadcasting news from [[France 24]] instead of [[Euronews]]. RTÉ holds a share in [[Euronews]], meaning TG4 could no longer broadcast the service.

On 1 July 2007, TG4 became a member of the [[European Broadcasting Union]].<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://tg4-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/tg4-redesign-2015/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/TG4-Tuarascail-07-B.pdf |title=Annual Report 2007 |date=2007 |publisher=TG4 |page=13 |quote=TG4’s application for membership of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) was accepted in July 2007 and we now play a full part in the operations and discussions of that body |access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref>

In 2008, TG4 became a founding member of [[World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network]] (WITBN).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.witbn.org/?page_id=129#linkmaoritv |title=WITBN |publisher=WITBN |access-date=9 April 2012 |archive-date=25 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325193911/http://www.witbn.org/?page_id=129#linkmaoritv |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 12 July 2009, the [[Broadcasting Act 2009]] was enacted.<ref>{{Cite ISB|title=Broadcasting Act|year=2009|number=18}}</ref> Many of the provisions of the Act relating to RTÉ also apply to TG4, with the station being subject to regulation from the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland]]. The Act also changed the English-language title of the Chief Executive of TG4 to "Director General" in line with that of the head of RTÉ, and in the Irish language from "{{lang|ga|Ceannasaí}}" to "{{lang|ga|Ardstiúrthóir}}".<ref>{{cite web |title=AISEOLAS |url=http://www.tg4.ie/corp/foir/foir.asp |publisher=TG4 |language=ga |access-date=1 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611234139/http://www.tg4.ie/corp/foir/foir.asp |archive-date=11 June 2010}}</ref> There have been two Chief Executives and three Director Generals of TG4: [[Cathal Goan]] (who later became [[Director General of RTÉ]] from 2003 to 2010),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/about/goanc.html |title=Director-General – Cathal Goan |publisher=RTÉ Press Office |access-date=1 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814005521/http://www.rte.ie/about/goanc.html |archive-date=14 August 2010}}</ref> [[Pól Ó Gallchóir]] (1999–2009 as Chief Executive, 2009–2016 as Director General), and [[Alan Esslemont]] (2016 to 2025).<ref name="TG4Board2016-">{{cite web |title=Board of TG4 |url=http://membership.stateboards.ie/en/board/TG4/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=State Boards (Ireland)}}</ref> Deirdre Ní Choistín was appointed Director General in April 2025.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/03/04/deirdre-ni-choistin-appointed-director-general-of-tg4/ |title=Deirdre Ní Choistín appointed director general of TG4 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

The Irish language enthusiast [[Seán Tadhg Ó Gairbhí]] wrote {{lang|ga|Súil eile}} (published by Cois Life in 2017).<ref name=cl>{{cite news|url=https://www.coislife.ie/udair/sean-tadhg-o-gairbhi/?lang=en|title=Seán Tadhg Ó Gairbhí|work=Cois Life|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206090438/https://www.coislife.ie/udair/sean-tadhg-o-gairbhi/?lang=EN|archive-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> ''[[The Irish Times]]'' selected it as one of its best Irish-language books of the year and described it as "the standard book for anyone wanting to take a ''súil eile'' at the history of the station for years to come".<ref>{{cite news|first=Pól|last=Ó Muirí|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-best-irish-language-books-of-2017-1.3318202|title=The best Irish-language books of 2017: Writers tackle subjects ranging from the history of TG4 to teenage bullying|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=16 December 2017|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118122722/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-best-irish-language-books-of-2017-1.3318202|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Operation==
{{main|Teilifís na Gaeilge (corporation)}}
The daily Irish-language programme schedule is its central service, broadcasting approximately 2.5 hours a day of new Irish-language programming, with an estimated 2.5 hours a day of repeated Irish-language programmes. Currently, RTÉ supplies TG4 with one hour a day of Irish-language programming. The remainder of the TG4 schedule is made up of acquisitions from other broadcasters particularly from US broadcasters.

Operating as a publisher and broadcaster, TG4 invests up to €20m annually in original indigenous programming from the independent production sector in Ireland. The Irish-language soap opera ''[[Ros na Rún]]'' is one of its most popular programmes, and it also commissions a relatively large number of documentaries.

===Scheduling===
During the first two years of TnaG, the service provided a "blocked" schedule. A distinct language schedule was created in line with their commitment to provide two hours of Irish-language television each day. Children's television ran from 17:00 to 18:00, while the prime time Irish-language block began at 20:00 and ended at 22:30 each night. In 1998, the channel began experimenting with their prime time schedule (due to low audience figures and pressure from independent producers). The prime time block was reduced by 30 minutes, ending at 22:00, while they tested Irish-language programming in late-night slots after English-language programming, this schedule increased the audience for Irish programmes that followed English programmes. A new "hammocking" schedule was introduced. "Hammocking" is a term used in public service broadcasting meaning that shows with low audience appeal are placed between programmes with high appeal, thus increasing audience share for weaker programming. In 1999, the channel was renamed as TG4. The main aim of its new schedules was to provide "national resonance"{{clarify|post-text=Please explain this term|date=November 2011}} and to compete with [[BBC Two]] and [[Channel 4]] for Irish audiences.<ref name="MacDubhghaill">{{cite web |url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/mercator/images/UinsionnMacDubhghaill.pdf |title=Harry Potter and the Wizards of Baile na hAbhann: Translation, subtitling and dubbing policies in Ireland's TG4, from the start of broadcasting in 1996 to the present day |last=MacDubhghaill |first=Uinsionn |publisher=ABER.ac.uk |access-date=11 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129192352/http://www.aber.ac.uk/mercator/images/UinsionnMacDubhghaill.pdf |archive-date=29 November 2010}}</ref>

TG4 lost its language-driven schedule and replaced it with a stronger audience-driven schedule, with key audiences delivered at key times. TG4 aims to be a mainstream channel for a niche audience. This new scheduling provided TG4 with a strong increase in audience share during the first six months of the newly re-branded channel, rising from 1% to 2% and, by 2005, TG4 had become the eighth most watched television channel with 2.4% audience share, just below BBC Two and Channel 4, and well ahead of [[Sky One]].<ref name="MacDubhghaill" />

===Budget===
The Government reduced TG4's grant-in-aid from the exchequer to €32.25m for 2010.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://tg4-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/tg4-redesign-2015/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/TG4-Tuarascail-10-B.pdf |title=Annual Report 2010 |date=2010 |publisher=TG4 |page=9}}</ref>

From 2012 to 2018 TG4 received a portion of the licence fee, full exchequer funding returned in 2019.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=RTÉ Annual Report 2018 |url=https://about.rte.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/RTE-Annual-Report-2018.pdf |journal=RTÉ |pages=30}}</ref> In 2024 TG4 received €53.53m from the exchequer<ref>{{Cite web |title=TG4 Corporate Governance |url=https://www.tg4.ie/en/corporate/corporate-governance/ |website=TG4}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Exchequer funding
! Licence fee
! [[RTÉ]] programming commitment
! [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland#Sound and Vision Fund|Sound & Vision]] <br /> [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland|BAI]]
! Northern Ireland [[ILBF]]
! [[Irish Film Board|IFB]]
! Commercial
! Total funding
|-
|2023
|53.53
|0
|7.6
|
|
|
|4.1
|65.23
|-
|2018
|29
|4.2
|7
|
|
|
|3.1
|43.3
|-
| 2012
| {{nts|32.5}}
| {{nts|9.25}}
| {{nts|7.7}}
| {{nts|3.5}}
| {{nts|1.6}}
| {{nts|0}}
| {{nts|1.76}}
| {{nts|47.31}}
|-
| 2010
| {{nts|32.25}}
| {{nts|0}}
| {{nts|8.9 }}
| {{nts|4.7 }}
| {{nts| }}
| {{nts|0.46}}
| {{nts|3.48}}
| {{nts|49.79}}
|-
| 2009
| {{nts|35}}
| {{nts|0}}
| {{nts|10}}
| {{nts|}}
| {{nts|}}
| {{nts|}}
| {{nts|}}
| {{nts|45}}
|}

In 2008, the Teilifís na Gaeilge authority received a budget of €38m for and co-funded productions with the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland|BAI]]'s sound and vision fund received €4.6m. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources reduced their budget from the exchequer to €35m for 2009.<ref>[http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2009/0421-1.asp TG4 BOARD APPROVES REDUCED BUDGET FOR 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817091559/http://www.tg4.ie/Bearla/corp/pr/2009/0421-1.asp |date=17 August 2009 }}</ref>

In 2007, TG4 earned €3,596,000 in advertising revenue and had state funding of €24,914,000. The station spent €17,716,000 on programming.<ref>[http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/docs/TB2007-B.pdf TG4 Annual Report 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304065332/http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/docs/TB2007-B.pdf |date=4 March 2011 }}</ref>

In 2006, TG4 spent €15,469,000 on commissioned programming and €7.5 million on acquired shows. The latter consisted mainly of children's programmes which are dubbed into Irish.<ref name=":0">{{Cite report |url=https://tg4-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/tg4-redesign-2015/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/TG4-Tuarascail-06-B.pdf |title=TG4 Annual Report 2006 |date=2006 |publisher=TG4 |pages=12, 14–15 |access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref>

The table below shows TG4's commissioned programming by genre in 2006:<ref name=":0" />

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Genre
! Budget
! Hours
|-
|''[[Ros na Rún]]''
|€3,446,000
|36
|-
|''Documentaries''
|€1,924,000
|60
|-
|''Sport''
|€3,828,000
|283
|-
|''Drama''
|€2,418,000
|25
|-
|''Music''
|€1,378,000
|63
|-
|''Entertainment''
|€1,391,000
|60
|-
|''Travel''
|€267,000
|4
|-
|''[[Studio]]''
|€438,000
|66
|-
|''Total''
|€15,469,000
|597
|}

[[RTÉ]] provides TG4 with its news service {{lang|ga|[[Nuacht TG4]]}}. Independent producers (with the backing of TG4) apply for the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland]]'s Sound and Vision Fund. The ''Irish Language Broadcasting Fund'' (ILBF) also provides some funding to programmes made for the channel; the fund is administered by [[Northern Ireland Screen]].

===Ratings===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!2010
!2009
!2001
!1996
|-
| style="text-align: right;" |{{nts|900000}}
| style="text-align: right;" |{{nts|800000}}
| style="text-align: right;" |{{nts|730000}}
| style="text-align: right;" |{{nts|250000}}
|}

TG4 has had a share of the Irish television market of some 2–3%.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kenny |first=Colum |date=27 August 2006 |title=Time to call a halt to the lip service behind TG4 'success' |url=https://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/time-to-call-a-halt-to-the-lip-service-behind-tg4-success/26415784.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404100757/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/time-to-call-a-halt-to-the-lip-service-behind-tg4-success-26415784.html |archive-date=4 April 2016 |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=Irish Independent}}</ref> TG4 provide their viewing figures each week on their website. Currently TG4's top ten programmes have ranged from 10,000 to 100,000 viewers, but their top shows have reached as high as 250,000. Like other television services TG4 achieves their highest viewing figures with sporting events.<ref name="tg4.ie">[http://www.tg4.ie/leir/luch.asp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626124520/http://www.tg4.ie/leir/luch.asp|date=26 June 2009}}</ref>

On Saint Patrick's Day 2009, live coverage of the All-Ireland Finals in the AIB Club Championships on TG4 achieved very high audience ratings for the channel. Twenty five percent of afternoon television viewers on St. Patrick's Day were tuned into TG4. Over 1.1m viewers tuned on TG4 during the day, giving it an overall 8.2% national daily share and placing it in third place in the national daily viewing table for the first time ever.<ref>[http://www.tg4.ie/corp/pr/2009/0319-1.asp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322054828/http://www.tg4.ie/corp/pr/2009/0319-1.asp|date=22 March 2009}}</ref>
Other major ratings successes for the channel include the All Ireland Ladies Football Final with 21% of all viewers tuned to that broadcast.
A series of [[Westerns]] has also proven very popular. On 25 April 2010, TG4's coverage of the [[National Football League (Ireland)|Allianz Football League]] Finals in [[Croke Park]] saw it become the most watched channel, with 650,000 viewers watching some of the games. The Division One final had an average audience of 220,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2010/0427-1.asp |title=VIEWING FIGURES FOR GAA BEO – ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINALS 2010 |date=27 April 2010 |publisher=TG4 |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511212953/http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2010/0427-1.asp |archive-date=11 May 2010}}</ref>

Some of the most popular programmes included: {{lang|ga|[[Glór Tíre]]}} ([[country and western]] reality competition) – 90–110,000; {{lang|ga|Rásaí na Gaillimhe}} (political comedy drama); {{lang|ga|[[Ros na Rún]]}} (soap opera), {{lang|ga|GAA Beo}} (GAA sport) – 50–100,000; [[Fíorscéal]], [[Cogar]] (documentary); {{lang|ga|[[Seacht]]}} (university drama); ''[[Nuacht TG4]]'' (news); {{lang|ga|[[7 Lá]]}} (weekly review); {{lang|ga|[[Paisean Faisean]]}} (dating programme), {{lang|ga|Feirm Factor}} (reality television); and {{lang|ga|An Jig Gig}}. These have had an audience reach of 3% to 12% of the total viewing audience, or 40,000 to 100,000 viewers.<ref name="tg4.ie"/>

==Programming==
{{main|List of programmes broadcast by TG4}}
TG4 has nurtured a reputation for innovative programming in film, arts, drama, documentaries, and sports. Much of TG4's programming is subtitled in English. The station has a [[teletext]] service called {{lang|ga|[[Téacs TG4]]}}. Programmes broadcast on Saorview (not Sky or internet) are at times also subtitled in Irish.

===Imported programming===
TG4 broadcasts many popular US shows ranging from dramas to comedies.

====As TnaG====
In the lead up to the transmissions of TnaG in the autumn of 1996, RTÉ tested transmissions with airings of ''[[Fawlty Towers]]''. The TnaG service provided little in the way of imports except for children's programming. TnaG provided airings of QVC during daytime hours. TnaG aired ''[[Northern Exposure]]''. They also dubbed into Irish a number of European, Welsh and Scottish programmes.

====As TG4====
TnaG re-branded in 1999 as TG4 and with this came a fresh schedule which included more imported programming. Highly critically acclaimed US programming such as ''[[Oz (TV series)|Oz]]'', ''[[Nip/Tuck]]'' and ''[[The Wire]]'' aired on the channel. During this time, they extended out their range of adult and children's programming. {{lang|ga|Cúla4 na n-Óg}} began airing from 07:00 for pre-school children with programmes such as {{lang|ga|[[Play with Me Sesame|Tar ag Spraoi Sesame]]}}, ''[[Dora the Explorer (TV series)|Dora the Explorer]]'' and ''[[Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!]]'', Cúla4 airs ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'', ''[[Ben 10]]'', ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', and others. In 2006 a strand called {{lang|ga|Ponc}} began airing with teen programming such as ''[[Pimp My Ride]]'', ''[[MTV Cribs]]'', ''[[8 Simple Rules]]'', ''[[America's Next Top Model]]'', ''[[What I Like About You (TV series)|What I Like About You]]'' and ''[[South Park]]''. Other series aired on the channel include ''[[Army Wives]]'', ''[[Cold Case (TV series)|Cold Case]]'', ''[[Gossip Girl (TV series)|Gossip Girl]]'', ''[[One Tree Hill (TV series)|One Tree Hill]]'', ''[[The Starter Wife (miniseries)|The Starter Wife]]'', ''[[True Blood]]'', ''[[Two and a Half Men]]'', ''[[Vampire Diaries]]'', ''[[Without a Trace]]'', ''[[Carnivàle]]'', ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', ''[[Eve (American TV series)|Eve]]'', ''[[Everwood]]'', ''[[Invasion (2005 TV series)|Invasion]]'', ''[[Lipstick Jungle (TV series)|Lipstick Jungle]]'', ''[[The O.C.]]'', and ''[[Survivor (American TV series)|Survivor]]''.

TG4 often premieres such shows before other European broadcasters.
TG4 previously held a long-term agreement with HBO to air the majority of their programmes on the channel. With the launch of [[Sky Atlantic]] in 2011, they now hold first rights to European (Ireland, UK, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland) broadcasts of HBO shows. This means TG4 now broadcasts HBO programming at a much later date than in the past. TG4 held first rights to ''[[The Wire]]'', ''[[Oz (TV series)|Oz]]'', ''[[Deadwood (TV series)|Deadwood]]'', ''[[Generation Kill]]'', ''[[Six Feet Under (TV series)|Six Feet Under]]'', ''[[True Blood]]''. They also held an agreement with [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] to air ''[[Breaking Bad]]'' until the series concluded. The channel later signed a deal with [[USA Network]] for exclusive rights to ''[[Mr. Robot]]''.

In Autumn 2013, the broadcaster started moving away from US imports instead focusing on successful European drama series from the Nordic countries. On 28 August 2013, TG4 announced its new schedule for autumn/winter 2013.<ref name="tg4.ie1" /> which relied on imports from internationally acclaimed Nordic dramas such as [[Arne Dahl (TV series)|''Arne Dahl'']] from [[Sweden]], [[The Bridge (Danish/Swedish TV series)|''The Bridge'']] co-produced in Sweden and [[Denmark]] and Danish drama [[Borgen (TV series)|''Borgen'']].<ref name="tg4.ie1">{{cite press release |url=http://www.tg4.ie/press/docs/TG4-PDF-Schedules/TG4-Autumn-2013-B.pdf |title=Autumn 2013 |publisher=TG4 |access-date=2013-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908121347/http://www.tg4.ie/press/docs/TG4-PDF-Schedules/TG4-Autumn-2013-B.pdf |archive-date=2013-09-08 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> US imports include new seasons of ''[[Nashville (2012 TV series)|Nashville]]'', ''[[Breaking Bad]]'' (final season), ''[[True Blood]]'' and new dramas ''[[Justified (TV series)|Justified]]'' and ''[[Boss (TV series)|Boss]]''.<ref name="tg4.ie1"/>

TG4 continued to air ''Two and a Half Men'' up to the departure of [[Charlie Sheen]], when [[RTÉ Two]] began airing the series.

===News and current affairs===
All of TG4's news and current affairs programming is provided by [[RTÉ]] free of charge to the channel. In 1996, ''Nuacht TnaG'' started broadcasting from the TnaG Newsrooms in Baile na hAbhann. From 13 July 2009, all television broadcasts of {{lang|ga|[[Nuacht RTÉ]]}} broadcast from the Baile na hAbhann studios.<ref name="RTÉ's 'Nuacht' Moves to West Coast">{{cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4282318&tpl=archnewshome&force=1|title=RTÉ's 'Nuacht' Moves to West Coast - The Irish Film & Television Network|work=iftn.ie|access-date=15 July 2009|archive-date=29 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229121928/http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4282318&tpl=archnewshome&force=1|url-status=live}}</ref> The main news anchor for Nuacht RTÉ is [[Siún Nic Gearailt]], who was the main news anchor for TG4 from 2002 to 2004, before moving to RTÉ.<ref name="independent.ie">{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/heres-the-news-rtes-nuacht-shifts-base-to-west-coast-1818889.html|title=Here's the news RTÉ's Nuacht shifts base to west coast|work=Independent.ie|access-date=15 July 2009|archive-date=17 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717013715/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/heres-the-news-rtes-nuacht-shifts-base-to-west-coast-1818889.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{lang|ga|Nuacht TnaG}} initially was broadcast at 22:00 each night, later moving to 20:00 and finally to 19:00 where it currently remains. From 1996 to 1998, [[Gráinne Seoige]] was the main news anchor for the channel, in 1998 she moved to [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]] to launch their main evening news where she remained until 2004. In 1998, [[Ailbhe Ó Monachain]] became TG4's main news anchor. With the rebranding of TnaG as TG4 the news service also renamed Nuacht TG4. In 2004, [[Eimear Ní Chonaola]] became TG4's main news anchor. Since September 2010, Nóiméad Nuachta (News Minute) has broadcast each week day at 13:55.

Each Tuesday Night [[Páidí Ó Lionáird]] hosts their Current Affairs flagship show ''[[7 Lá]]'' (7 Days), the name derives from RTÉ's original Current Affairs programme ''7 Days''. Every Sunday night, [[Eimear Ní Chonaola]] presents {{lang|ga|Timpeall na Tíre}}, a round-up of all the major stories of the week.

During the summer months they provide {{lang|ga|Féilte}} presented by Sinéad Ní Loideáin and Bríd Richardson. It takes a similar format to RTÉ's ''Nationwide'', reporting on festivals around Ireland during the summer months.

TG4 provides live coverage of [[Dáil Éireann]] each Wednesday and Thursday morning; as well as live coverage of the proceedings of key Dáil Committees from time to time.

TG4 has also provided coverage of the 1997, 2002, 2007, 2011, and 2016 general elections, coverage of European and local elections 2004, 2009, and 2014 and coverage of the annual national Budgets, and coverage of [[Údarás na Gaeltachta]] elections.

During the night, TG4 airs a simulcast of [[France 24]] live from Paris.

===Sports===
The channel extensively covers Irish sports, such as the secondary [[Gaelic football]] and [[hurling]] competitions and club championships, and women's Gaelic football (it also broadcasts [[Pro14]]). These are events which generally do not appeal to a mass audience, but have a reasonably loyal following. Many of the events that TG4 provides coverage of are in sports in which other Irish broadcasters would not usually be interested; the channel has gained a reputation for providing coverage of minority sporting events, and repeat coverage of rugby and Gaelic games under the programming strand ''{{lang|ga|Rugbaí}} Gold'' and ''GAA Gold'', showing highlights of classic games from the archives. {{lang|ga|[[Seó Spóirt]]}} broadcasts a round-up of the week's sporting news with a selected panel, it is hosted by [[Dara Ó Cinnéide]]. TG4 provided coverage of [[Volvo Ocean Race]] when it arrived in Galway in May 2009.<ref name="VOLVO OCEAN RACE LIVE FROM GALWAY">{{cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2009/0518-1.asp |title=VOLVO OCEAN RACE LIVE FROM GALWAY |date=18 May 2009 |access-date=2 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218210500/http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2009/0518-1.asp |archive-date=18 February 2010}}</ref>

====GAA====
Since 2000 TG4 has sponsored [[ladies' Gaelic football]]'s All-Ireland competition under the name ''[[All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship|TG4 Ladies Football All-Ireland Championships]]'' ({{langx|ga|Craobhacha TG4 i bPeil Na mBan}}).<ref name="TG4 Press Office">{{cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2010/0705-1.asp |title=LADIES FOOTBALL & TG4 CELEBRATE 10 YEAR MILESTONE |date=5 July 2010 |publisher=TG4 Press Office |access-date=11 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027171638/http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2010/0705-1.asp |archive-date=27 October 2010}}</ref> They have provided live coverage of the men's Gaelic football league and round-up of the men's football and [[hurling]] championships during the summer months with their GAA round up programme called ''GAA'' – followed by the year it is broadcast, for example in 2011 it was called ''GAA 2011''. They also provide live coverage of the Under 21 All-Ireland competitions and club competitions. In late 2010, TG4 began to broadcast a new handball show, entitled ''The GAA Handball Show''.

====Rugby====
They previously had exclusive rights to show Magner's Rugby League from 2001 to 2004. In 2004 the Irish rights were sold to [[Setanta Sports]], where it was broadcast exclusively from 2004 to 2010. In 2010 TG4 won back the rights for [[Pro14|Pro12]] rugby union with [[RTÉ]], [[BBC Northern Ireland]], [[S4C]] and [[BBC Alba]].<ref name="Clutton">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/7813469/Celtic-Rugby-secure-improved-broadcast-deal-for-Magners-League-coverage.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/7813469/Celtic-Rugby-secure-improved-broadcast-deal-for-Magners-League-coverage.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Celtic Rugby secure improved broadcast deal for Magners League coverage|last=Clutton|first=Graham|date=9 June 2010|newspaper=telegraph.co.uk|access-date=9 June 2010|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2011 TG4 took a major coup in taking away exclusive highlights of the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup from RTÉ Sport. This led to TG4 having live coverage of the new Pro14 (a re-branding of the Celtic League) in 2011, as well as highlights of the top matches in European rugby.

On top of this, the channel bought Irish-language rights to the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]], thus obtaining lucrative rights to re-run matches from the Rugby World Cup 2011 in the afternoon. Therefore, Setanta Ireland had all matches live, RTÉ had 13 live matches, including all-Irish matches and every match from the quarter-finals onwards. TG4 re-broadcast all the big matches in the afternoon, such as the Ireland v Australia match and England and Welsh match.

In 2014, the Irish-language channel received praise for airing the [[Women's Rugby World Cup]]. TG4 provided coverage to all of the Irish matches as well as the final and semi-final.<ref>{{cite web |title=News Releases – 17.07 – Women's Rugby World Cup to be broadcast LIVE on TG4 – TG4 – Irish language television channel – Teilifis Gaeilge |url=http://www.tg4.ie/en/corporate/news-releases/2014/170714.html |work=tg4.ie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510040058/http://www.tg4.ie/en/corporate/news-releases/2014/170714.html |archive-date=10 May 2015}}</ref>

====Football (Soccer)====
TG4 broadcasts highlights programme called {{lang|ga|Olé Olé}} for Spanish [[La Liga]] which it extended to include the [[Scottish Premier League]] in 1997. The series no longer airs on the channel.<ref name="TnaG - One Year Old">{{cite web|url=http://www.medialive.ie/Comment/tnag.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/19980116050617/http://www.medialive.ie/Comment/tnag.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 January 1998|title=TnaG – One Year Old|date=31 October 1997|publisher=Medialive.ie|access-date=11 July 2010}}</ref>
TG4 held rights to [[League of Ireland]] with [[RTÉ]] and [[Setanta Sports]]. They have also broadcast UEFA Cup games in the past. TG4 did broadcast Friday night matches called ''Sacar Beo'' which showed League of Ireland matches and cup matches, but RTÉ and Setanta retain those rights now.

In 2019, TG4 broadcasts [[FIFA Women's World Cup]] with RTÉ. TG4 broadcasts 29 of 52 matches in Irish.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Healy |first=Martin |date=16 April 2019 |title=RTE and TG4 to show every match of FIFA Women's World Cup this summer |url=https://extra.ie/2019/04/16/sport/soccernews/womens-world-cup-tv |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525110921/https://extra.ie/2019/04/16/sport/soccernews/womens-world-cup-tv |archive-date=25 May 2019 |access-date=2019-05-25 |website=extra.ie}}</ref>

TG4 broadcast the first live [[League of Ireland Women's Premier Division]] game from [[Tolka Park]] on 2 October 2021 with hosts [[Shelbourne F.C. (women)|Shelbourne]] beating [[DLR Waves]] 1:0.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/sport/soccer/match-reports/shelbournes-alex-kavanagh-makes-history-21746549 |title=Shels' Alex Kavanagh makes history with first-ever live televised WNL goal |date=2 October 2021}}</ref> Games are regularly shown live on TG4.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/tg4-launches-coverage-2023-sse-airtricity-womens-premier-division-season/ |title=TG4 launches coverage of 2023 SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division season &#124; League of Ireland}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/tg4-confirm-live-games-extend-coverage-sse-airtricity-womens-premier-division/ |title=TG4 confirm live games to extend coverage of SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division}}</ref>

====Tennis====
TG4 broadcast exclusive Irish coverage of the [[Wimbledon Championships]] tennis tournament. TG4's coverage of the tournament began in 2005, with their coverage being viewed by on average 300,000 viewers each day in 2008.<ref name="http">{{cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2009/0620-1.asp |title=TG4'S SUCCESSFUL TENNIS COVERAGE TO CONTINUE WITH WIMBLEDON 2009 |date=20 June 2009 |publisher=TG4 |access-date=2 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218210514/http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2009/0620-1.asp |archive-date=18 February 2010}}</ref> RTÉ commonly showed Wimbledon for a number of years before dropping the tournament in 2001; there was then no coverage until TG4 took over the broadcasts in 2005. This proved popular as coverage has been more than it ever was on RTÉ, and with Connor Niland becoming the first Irish player at Wimbledon in 30 years their coverage continues to grow. TG4'S coverage of the [[French Open|Roland Garros]] Tennis began in 2008, which started with just highlights of everyday and the finals live. This proved popular so now TG4 coverage begins with highlights until the final week of the tournament when live coverage begins.

====Cycling====
TG4 provide live coverage of [[Tour de France]] French cycling. TG4's live coverage of the Tour de France began in 2005.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2007/0628-1.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217204423/http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2007/0628-1.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 February 2013 |title=TOUR DE FRANCE 2007 LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON TG4 |date=28 June 2007 |publisher=TG4 |access-date=2 June 2010 }}</ref>

====International Rules Series====
TG4 hold the television rights to the [[International Rules Series|International Rules]] 2010/2011 season<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2010/0601-1.asp |title=TG4 SPONSORS IRISH TEAM AND IS TO BROADCAST INTERNATIONAL RULES FOOTBALL |date=1 June 2010 |access-date=2 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027171034/http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2010/0601-1.asp |archive-date=27 October 2010 }}</ref> and 2013/14 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/about-the-gaa/international-rules/news/2003131137-irish-daily-mail-international-rules-series-2013-launched/ |title=News |work=gaa.ie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530232323/http://gaa.ie/about-the-gaa/international-rules/news/2003131137-irish-daily-mail-international-rules-series-2013-launched/ |archive-date=30 May 2013 }}</ref> TG4 also provide a highlights package of [[Australian Football League]] games.

====Snooker====
TG4 for a number of years showed the Northern Ireland Trophy Snooker event from the Belfast Waterfront Hall. This started in 2005 and they showed every NI Trophy tournament until it was scrapped in 2009. This was advertised as their season of sport which started in 2005 and started with Wimbledon, le Tour de France and finished with the NI Trophy. This was firstly a non-ranking event, then became a ranking event. TG4 were the official broadcaster. Their coverage, {{lang|ga|Snucar Beo}}, featured analysis from Irish players such as Fergal O'Brien and Ken Doherty and Northern Ireland players such as Patrick Wallace who were not Irish speakers and would provide analysis in English before the presenter would go back to talking in Irish. This is what usually happens in sports coverage on TG4 where links to cameras, reports and commentary are usually in Irish and interviews and analysis in rugby, football and snooker are usually in English.

===Entertainment===
Since its inception TG4 has provided a huge amount of light entertainment programming to its Irish speaking audience, such as the chat show {{lang|ga|[[Ardán]]}} and the fashion/dating show {{lang|ga|Paisean Faisean}}.

{{lang|ga|Cleamhnas}} ("Matchmaker") was TG4's first attempt at a [[wikt:blind date|blind date]] type of show. It was presented by [[Seán Bán Breathnach]] and later by Páidí Ó Lionáird. The audience would be introduced to the contestant looking for love and then to one of their parents (generally the father of a male contestant and the mother of a female contestant), then introduced to three suitors. The father or the mother would then ask the suitors questions about how they would treat their son or daughter. The presenter would then go into the audience to talk to the suitor's friends. It would then be up to the mother or father to choose which suitor would go on a blind date with their son or daughter.

This show ran for a number of years and was eventually replaced by {{lang|ga|[[Paisean Faisean]]}} where three boys/men select clothes for a girl, who would then choose the boy, based on the clothes that they had picked. This show was presented in the first three series by [[Aoife Ní Thuairisg]], and in the fourth series by Blathnáid Nic Dhonnacha and Máiread Ni Chuaig. Máiread was replaced in 2008 by [[Síle Seoige]].

{{lang|ga|Eochair An Ghrá}} ("Key to the Heart") started airing in 2008 and is similar in format to MTV's ''[[Room Raiders]]''.

The producers of {{lang|ga|Paisean Faisean}}, [[Magma Films]], have since sold the rights to [[Zoo Productions]] who will produce the series for MTV under the title ''[[Style Date]]''.<ref name="MTV Shops for 'Paisean Faisean'">{{cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4283010&tpl=archnews&only=1|title=MTV Shops for 'Paisean Faisean'|date=20 April 2010|publisher=Irish Film and Television Network|access-date=20 April 2010|archive-date=26 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226123503/http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4283010&tpl=archnews&only=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1996 TG4 aired {{lang|ga|Hollywood Anocht}} ("Hollywood Tonight"), a movie show presented by [[Síle Seoige]].

In 2004 TG4 launched a new strand of programming called {{lang|ga|Síle}}. It was presented by [[Síle Ní Bhraonáin]] and ran from 17:30 to 19:00 each weeknight. It was similar in format to RTÉ's ''[[Two Tube]]''.

On 24 September 2007, TG4 began broadcasting ''[[South Park]]'' in Irish, on Síle, with the more adult content removed but also made available on Saturday nights. In 2009 Síle was replaced by {{lang|ga|[[Cúla4|Ponc]]}}.

They also had a number of quiz shows, including ''90 Seconds''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/ga/|title=TG4 {{!}} Súil Eile|website=TG4 |access-date=2017-11-18|archive-date=26 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826210949/http://www.tg4.ie/ga/|url-status=live}}</ref> TG4 is a great way for students in Leaving Certificate or GCSCs or A-Levels who is studying Irish to learn from. Research has shown that those who watch or listen to TG4 are deemed to have a better understanding of the language.<ref>{{cite web |date=25 March 2024 |title=Research Reveals increase in Classroom Adoption of Visual Media, Highlighting the Impact of TG4/Cúla4 on Enhanced Learning Experiences |url=https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2024-2/research-reveals-increase-in-classroom-adoption-of-visual-media-highlighting-the-impact-of-tg4-cula4-on-enhanced-learning-experiences/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |website=TG4}}</ref> As well as that, having Gaeilge as a [[First language|first]] or [[Bilingual|second language]] is shown to lead to more employment opportunities.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nic Leoid |first=Niamh |date=March 2022 |title=Benefits of bilingualism |url=https://www.gaelchultur.com/en/blog/benefits-bilingualism |access-date=13 October 2024 |website=Gaelchultúr}}</ref>

===Music===
TG4 have a long tradition of providing [[Folk music of Ireland|Irish Traditional music]] on the channel. {{lang|ga|[[Geantraí]]}} is filmed around Ireland, with coverage of traditional music from many pubs around the country. Repeats of Irish traditional music programmes from RTÉ feature in the schedules such as ''The Pure Drop'' and ''Come West Along the Road''.

TG4 presents a [[Gradam Ceoil TG4|six awards]] for Irish traditional music, celebrating and giving due recognition to the recordings, broadcasts and live performances of the recipients of the awards:<ref>{{cite web |title=Gradam Ceoil TG4 home page for Irish Music Awards |url=http://www.gradam.ie/?page_id=274&lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323222425/http://www.gradam.ie/?page_id=274&lang=en |archive-date=23 March 2016 |access-date=26 November 2016 |publisher=TG4}}</ref>

# [[List of TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year recipients|Traditional musician of the year]], '''Gradam Ceoil''', started in 1998.
# [[List of TG4 Young Traditional Musician of the Year recipients|Young traditional musician of the Year]], '''Ceoltóir Óg''', started in 1998.
# [[List of TG4 Singer of the Year Award recipients|Singer of the Year]], '''Amhránaí na Bliana''', started in 2001.
# [[List of TG4 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients|Lifetime Achievement award]], '''Gradam Saoil''', started in 2001.
# [[List of TG4 Composers Award recipients|Composer of the year]], '''Gradam an Chumadóra''', started in 2001 and presented to 2013. In 2014 a musical collaboration award was presented instead.
# [[List of TG4 Special Contribution Award recipients|Special contribution award]], '''Gradam na gCeoltóirí''', is presented to musicians and organisations that have worked tirelessly for the preservation and dissemination of Irish traditional music.

Since the mid-2000s TG4 have provided coverage of [[Country music|Country and Western]] music.

Popular music on the channel started out with {{lang|ga|Ó Bun Go Barr}} ("From Top to Bottom"), which is now known as POP 4 and is presented by Eoghan Mac Diarmada, is Ireland's only Top 40 countdown chart show. It also acts as a chart request show and a launch pad for new and upcoming Irish bands.

Indie music is covered on {{lang|ga|Ar An Imeall}} ("On The Edge"), a spin-off series of TG4 Arts strand {{lang|ga|Imeall}} ("Edge").

On 23 March 2015, TG4 confirmed its participation in the [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015]]. Later that year, it organised a national final, produced by [[Adare Productions]], to select its representative at the contest, who turned out to be [[Aimee Banks]]. It marked [[Ireland in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest|Ireland's first participation in the contest]] and was the first time since [[Eurovision Song Contest 1972|1972]] that [[Irish language|Irish]] was heard at a [[Eurovision (network)|Eurovision event]]. In the [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022]] Sophie Lennon represented Ireland with "Solas", which placed 4th, the highest placing of an Irish entry in a Eurovision contest since the nation finished 3rd at the [[Eurovision Dance Contest 2007]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ireland to debut at Junior Eurovision! |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2007/0903/411035-eurovision/|publisher=RTE}},</ref>, and the highest placing of any Irish-language song.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ireland to debut at Junior Eurovision! |url=http://www.junioreurovision.tv/page/blog?id=ireland_to_debut_at_junior_eurovision_2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018142111/http://www.junioreurovision.tv/page/blog?id=ireland_to_debut_at_junior_eurovision_2014 |archive-date=18 October 2015 |access-date=23 March 2015 |publisher=EBU}}</ref>

===Reality television===
{{lang|ga|SÓS}} (the Irish for "break", and the use of a pun on "[[SOS]]") was one of TG4s early attempts at reality television. It followed a group of contestants in the bleakness of the [[Connemara]] landscape, left with nothing and to fend for themselves. It was a television version of [[Gay Byrne]]'s radio experiment from the 1980s.

{{lang|ga|Ní Gaelgoir Mé}} was TG4's version of [[S4C]]'s successful show, getting celebrities to learn Irish for a week. It was presented by Aoife Ní Thuairisg.

In 2003 TG4 launched their search for Ireland's next top [[country and western]] singer. {{lang|ga|[[Glór Tíre]]}} is now into its 6th successful season on the channel. Often landing the top spot on their top ten shows, it has a regular audience of 100,000 viewers.

In 2008 TG4 launched their search for the best farmer in Ireland. {{lang|ga|[[Feirm Factor]]}} had 12 farmers competing with each other to see who was the best. The judging panel consisted of [[Maura Derrane]] (former ''[[Ireland AM]]'' presenter), [[Alan Dukes]] (former Minister for Agriculture) and Seán O Lionaird (dairy farmer from Cork). The second series of ''Feirm Factor'' was broadcast from January to March 2010. Welsh television station [[S4C]] has started broadcasting their own version of the show in 2010, called ''Fferm Ffactor''.

''Underdogs'' searched for the best amateur football team from groups of men and women with no previous experience in Minor or Senior GAA football. The judging panel consisted of Geraldine Feerick, [[Jarlath Burns]] and Éamon Ó Muircheartaigh.

TG4 commissioned two reality talent shows for the channel from Adare Productions. ''{{lang|ga|Glas}} Vegas'' has a similar format to ''America's Got Talent'' and ''The All Ireland Talent Show''. ''{{lang|ga|Nollig}} No. 1'' has a similar format to ''[[You're a Star]]'' as the judges search for a Christmas number one single. The 2008 winner was Mary Lee, she released the single "You'll Never Walk Alone", with the chorus '{{lang|ga|as Gaeilge}}'.<ref name="Mary Lee's winning video">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHU67jJQk4o|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221032145/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHU67jJQk4o|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-12-21|title=Mary Lee's winning video|work=youtube.com}}</ref> In September 2009 another series from the same stable began the search for Ireland's best Irish dancing act, entitled An Jig Gig. The winners of this series were Irish Beats.<ref name="youtube.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rWrUCRepR0 |title=YouTube |website=www.youtube.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411024451/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rWrUCRepR0 |archive-date=11 April 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A fourth season of ''{{lang|ga|Glas}} Vegas'' began in January 2010.

TG4 have broadcast all series of the American version of ''[[Survivor (American TV series)|Survivor]]'' with an Irish-language dub.

In 2015, TG4 launched a new dating show called {{lang|ga|[[Pioc do Ride]]}} where contestants choose a date from three potential partners based only on their car.

===Drama===
In the early years TG4 gained critical acclaim<ref>C.U. Burn won "{{lang|ga|Spiorad na Féile}}", at the Panceltic Televisiona and Film Festival 1997.</ref> for ''[[C.U. Burn]]'', a comedy series about a [[Donegal (town)|Donegal]] [[undertaker]], and {{lang|ga|Gleann Ceo}}, a comedy about a small-town [[Garda Síochána|Garda]] station in Donegal.

{{lang|ga|[[Ros na Rún]]}} is TG4's long-running soap opera, which broadcast for 35 weeks of the year with two episodes each week. It is now in its 24th season on the channel. It airs Tuesday and Thursday at 20:30, with an [[omnibus (broadcast)|omnibus]] edition at 22:30 each Sunday.

TG4 have also supported many Irish filmmakers with their Lasair short film programme fund.

In 2006 TG4 commissioned ''Teenage {{lang|ga|Cic}}s'', their first youth drama. Set during the 1980s in the Donegal [[Gaeltacht]], it follows the exploits of young students from Belfast going to the Gaeltacht to learn Irish. This was followed by their successful teen drama ''[[Aifric]]''.

In 2007 TG4 won major critical acclaim for its political satirical comedy ''The Running Mate'' and for the programme {{lang|ga|[[Seacht]]}} which follows the lives of seven college students in [[Belfast]].

Their drama series {{lang|ga|Rásaí na Gaillimhe}} (part funded by the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland|BAI]]'s Sound and Vision Fund) was a major hit for the channel, becoming their second most popular show just after {{lang|ga|Glór Tíre}}. Set during the week of the [[Galway Races]], it is a drama-comedy starring [[Don Wycherley]], [[Ruth Bradley]], [[Olga Wherly]], [[Hughie McGarvey]] and [[Owen Roe (actor)|Owen Roe]].

TG4 broadcast its first supernatural thriller on 13 January 2010. {{lang|ga|[[Na Cloigne]]}} ("Heads") is set in contemporary Ireland and revolves around a young couple (Nuala and Séan). Nuala is an artist with supernatural powers connecting her to the Otherworld and is faced with an adulterous boyfriend. Soon two young women Séan brings home for a nightcap are found dead.<ref>[http://www.tg4.ie/clar/cloigne/index.asp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123010100/http://www.tg4.ie/clar/cloigne/index.asp|date=23 January 2010}}</ref>

TG4 continued its successful drama output with their comedy {{lang|ga|[[An Crisis]]}}("The Crisis"), and {{lang|ga|[[Crisis Eile]]}} (in 2013). This series has poked fun at the Irish economic downturn and the effects on the promotion of the Irish language. The comedy initially centred around the office of the acting-chairman of ACT (An Chomhairle Teanga/The Language Commissioner) played by Risteárd Cooper as he fought to save the organisations from {{lang|ga|[[An Bord Snip Nua]]}}.<ref name="Iftn.ie">{{cite web |url=http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4282951&tpl=archnewshome&only=1&force=1 |title=TG4 Introduces Office Drama 'An Crisis' &#124; The Irish Film & Television Network |publisher=Iftn.ie |access-date=9 April 2012 |archive-date=29 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929165231/http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4282951&tpl=archnewshome&only=1&force=1 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{lang|ga|Corp & Anam}} is a four-part series from TG4 starring Diarmuid de Faoite and [[Maria Doyle Kennedy]] (''[[The Tudors]]''). It was originally broadcast in early 2011.<ref name="Filming Wraps on 'Corp & Anam'">{{cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4283215&tpl=archnews&force=1|title=Filming Wraps on 'Corp & Anam'|date=15 July 2010|publisher=IFTN|access-date=15 July 2010|archive-date=29 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929165216/http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4283215&tpl=archnews&force=1|url-status=live}}</ref> A second series aired on the channel in 2014.

====Praise for TG4 drama====
::"The reality is that Irish-language television dramas, no matter how acclaimed or however many awards they might win, are unlikely to show up in box set form in any DVD mega-store. TG4's viewership ranges from between 2 and 4 per cent of the population, enough to cost a politician an election but far too few viewers to send a show into the top 10 in the television ratings.
::A shame, because there are great things happening in the area. TG4's recent batch of mini-series {{lang|ga|Rasaí na Gaillimhe}}, Paddywhackery and {{lang|ga|Na Cloigne}} (not to mention Aifric, {{lang|ga|Seacht}} and long-running soap {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}) have featured outrageous plots and wacky characters, and dare to be politically incorrect: they get away with it because they are in Irish."<ref name="The Irish edge in the ratings war">{{cite news |title=The Irish edge in the ratings war |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2010/0319/1224266583816.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=3 March 2010 |access-date=21 April 2010 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024034647/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2010/0319/1224266583816.html}}</ref>

:: "the first episode of {{lang|ga|[[An Crisis]]}}, a new six-parter from TG4, was laugh out loud funny – interspersed with a couple of knowing sniggers."<ref name="Mind your language">{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/0410/1224268015897.html |newspaper=The Irish Times |title=Mind your language |date=4 April 2010 |access-date=21 April 2010 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024034745/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/0410/1224268015897.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Children's television===
{{main|Cúla4}}

In 1996, TnaG started its children's programming under the strand ''Cullabulla'' (taken from [[Hiberno-English]]). Since then they have renamed and extended the strand as Cúla4.

===Factual===
It also actively commissions documentaries such as the acclaimed and popular {{lang|ga|Amú}} series of travel programmes which launched the career of [[Hector Ó hEochagáin]], one of a number of TG4 presenters who have gone on to success at other channels. Others include newsreader [[Gráinne Seoige]]. As many of these programs are subtitled in English, they are often popular with recent immigrant populations – who find spoken English very fast on Irish-produced television – as well as native Irish speakers.

They dub a French-Canadian documentary series under the name {{lang|ga|[[Fíorscéal|Fíor Scéal]]}}. ''Nello'' was another well received travel show looking at life in middle America.

They have a documentary strand called {{lang|ga|[[Cogar]]}}. {{lang|ga|Ealú}} was a series which looked at prison escapes around Ireland. They repeat the RTÉ shows {{lang|ga|Leargas}} (a new magazine show) and {{lang|ga|Scanna}} (reports on scandals that hit Ireland).

===Re-dubbed programming===
In the early years of TG4 the service repeated the Welsh teenage drama series ''[[Jabas]]'' which was re-dubbed into Irish from Welsh. They also aired the French cartoon ''[[Bouli]]'' as part of their children's schedule. ''Jabas'' and ''Bouli'' had previously aired on [[RTÉ Television]]. Again the Welsh series {{lang|cy|[[Pris y Farchnad]]}} was translated into Irish under the title {{lang|ga|An Craiceann is a Luach}} In general, however, TG4 perceived that live-action series aimed at adults re-dubbed into Irish was not an attractive proposition even for fluent Irish speakers, as is the case for many bilingual northern European viewers.<ref name="MacDubhghaill" />

Since its launch TG4 has significantly increased the number of re-dubbed children's programmes from 70 hours in its first year to 200 hours. TG4 only re-dub cartoons while live action series remain in English, such as the Australian drama ''[[H2O: Just Add Water|H<sub>2</sub>O: Just Add Water]]'' and the American sitcom ''[[Lizzie McGuire]]''. TG4 have re-dubbed all of the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' films]] into Irish and broadcast them each Saturday from January to March 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tg4.ie/en/newsletter/tg4/february-2014.html |title=TG4 Newsletter – TG4 – Irish language television channel – Teilifís I i nGaeilge |access-date=2014-02-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222173903/http://www.tg4.ie/en/newsletter/tg4/february-2014.html |archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> Some other live action children's movies such as ''[[Scooby-Doo (film)|Scooby-Doo]]'' have been re-dubbed into Irish.

===Film===
TG4 has a broad film policy which features a strong range of both independent and mainstream cinema. The channel places a strong emphasis on Irish films – both in the Irish and English languages – and European cinema which features films in French, German, Spanish, Italian, [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Danish language|Danish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]], among other languages. These films air under the strand {{lang|fr|Le Film}} TG4 regularly broadcast [[Western (genre)|Westerns]] under the strand ''An Western'', typically every Friday night.

Mainstream Hollywood cinema is represented by films from [[20th Century Fox]], [[Walt Disney Pictures]] and [[Warner Bros.]] among others. TG4 regularly broadcast such films on Tuesday Nights as part of their {{lang|ga|Scannán na Seachtaine}} ("Movie of the Week") strand. They sometimes re-dub children's films into Irish with English subtitles, the most notable being the ''[[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]]'' films.

TG4 became the first channel to broadcast in full [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s classic ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)|A Clockwork Orange]]'', a season of Kubrick's films followed, including the European television premiere of ''[[Eyes Wide Shut]]''. It also became one of the first channels in Europe to air the remastered director's cut version of ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]'', even before the UK, as they were still only airing the edited version.

TG4 has created '''Cine4''' (formally TG4 Film) a film department which invests in Irish-speaking films and mainstream Irish films such as the critically acclaimed ''[[Room (2015 film)|Room]]'', {{lang|ga|[[Arracht]]}}, {{lang|ga|[[Tarrac]]}}, {{lang|ga|[[Foscadh]]}} and {{lang|ga|[[An Cailín Ciúin]]}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cine4.ie/produced-films|format=article|title=Cine4 by TG4 Website|date=23 August 2022|website=cine4.ie|access-date=23 July 2022|archive-date=23 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823192530/https://www.cine4.ie/produced-films|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Subtitling and dubbing===
{{update|section|date=January 2020}}

====Adult and prime time programming====
TG4 do not dub live action film or television programming into Irish. Some reality television programming have the English voice over replaced by Irish-language voice over (which is also subtitled in English), however all contestants and presenters are not re-dubbed. In the early years of TnaG the channel broadcast many European programmes with Irish dubbing however this policy has since stopped in favour of US programming in English. Some non-English-language films are also subtitled on teletext page 888 in Irish. Most Irish-language programmes are subtitled on screen in English, however no live programming (such as news and sport) is subtitled into English. Many Irish-language programmes are also subtitled on teletext page 888 in Irish.

====Children's and young people's programming====
TG4's pre-school and children's strands, {{lang|ga|Cúla4}} and {{lang|ga|Cúla4 na nÓg}}, do not have subtitles during live introductions. This was the same for their former teen strands ''Síle'' and {{lang|ga|Ponc}}. Many of the Irish-language cartoons are subtitled on page 888 for parents. TG4 broadcasts any US teen programming in English, while Irish-language programming is subtitled on screen in English. TG4 have re-dubbed a number of Hollywood children's films and feature animation into Irish.

==TG4 on demand==
As of 2011, TG4's [[video on demand]] (VOD) service is called '''TG4 Player'''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tg4.ie/ie/tg4-player/tg4-player.html |title=TG4 – Irish language television channel – Teilifis Gaeilge – Féach ar TG4 Beo |publisher=Tg4.ie |access-date=9 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408224519/http://www.tg4.ie/ie/tg4-player/tg4-player.html |archive-date=8 April 2012 }}</ref> Previously, the service was supplied by {{lang|ga|TG4 Beo}}; this service was launched in 2003 (and more recently in 2010) ahead of most European broadcasters.<ref name="sbpost.ie">{{cite web|url=http://www.sbpost.ie/mediaandmarketing/tg4-gets-the-picture-for-revamped-online-player-48202.html |title=The Sunday Business Post |publisher=Sbpost.ie |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref> TG4 Player allows viewers globally to watch TG4 live and watch previously aired programming on demand.

The current service is delivered and maintained in partnership with Brightcove. For certain programmes, a choice of subtitles in Irish and English is available. According to TG4, the catch-up service has had over 2 million downloads in a 12-month period.

New apps for Smart TVs launched in February 2021, alongside this a live stream of TG4 +1 and TG4 +2, with a facility across all channel to start the current programme from the start.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=TG4 launches new Smart TV App|url=https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2021-2/tg4-launches-new-smart-tv-app/|access-date=|website=TG4|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226050620/https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2021-2/tg4-launches-new-smart-tv-app/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Awards==
TG4 have won major national and international awards for their marketing campaigns and their programmes:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Campaign name
! Award
! Year
|-
|TG4 Rebrand
|Gold Award - General Brand Design Package
|Promax Europe 2021<ref>{{Cite web|title=TG4's new brand look wins Gold at PROMAX Europe Awards {{!}} Press Release|url=https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2021-2/tg4s-new-brand-look-wins-gold-at-promax-europe-awards/|access-date=2021-07-06|website=TG4|language=en-ie|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190458/https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2021-2/tg4s-new-brand-look-wins-gold-at-promax-europe-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Channel television advert – ''Seisiún''
| Bronze Award
| EPICA 2008 and ICAD 2008
|-
| TV advert – {{lang|ga|Mobs Mheiriceá}}
| Silver Award
| ICAD 2008
|-
| Station ident – Female Warrior at the Washing Machine
| Bronze Award
| ICAD 2008
|-
| Peil na mBan – print ads
| Gold Medal
| Promax Europe 2008
|-
|
| Gold Medal – Promo Print
| Sharks International Awards 2008
|-
|
| Bronze Medal – Print
| Sharks International Awards 2008
|-
| {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}/''Cold Case'' – television ads
| Gold Medal
| Promax Europe 2008
|-
| {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}/''Cold Case'' – Best Film Promo
| Silver Medal
| Sharks International Awards 2008
|-
| {{lang|ga|Seacht}}
| Greenhorne Award
| Radio Advertising Awards 2008
|-
| {{lang|ga|Seacht}}
| Silver Medal – Radio
| Sharks International Awards 2008
|-
| {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}/''Without a Trace''
| Silver Medal – Best Drama Promos
| Sharks International Awards 2007
|-
| {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}/''Cold Case''
| Gold Medal – Best Drama Promos
| Sharks International Awards 2007
|-
| {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}/''Cold Case''
| Silver Medal – Promos – Best Direction
| Sharks International Awards 2007
|-
| {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}/''Cold Case''
| Gold Medal – Promos – Best Editing
| Sharks International Awards 2007
|-
| {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}/''Cold Case''
| Silver Medal – Promos – Irish Broadcast
| Sharks International Awards 2007
|-
| {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}/''Niptuck''
| Ad of the Month – October '07
| Irish Marketing Journal – Creative Ad of the Month
|-
| {{lang|ga|Paisean Faisean}}
| Ad of the Decade
| Irish Language Awards
|-
| TG4/Department of An Gaeltacht
| Ad of the Decade
| Irish Language Awards
|-
| ''Nip/Tuck'' & {{lang|ga|Ros na Rún}}
| Bronze Medal
| ICAD 2007
|-
| ''Ulster says {{lang|ga|Níl}}''
| Bronze Medal
| ICAD 2007
|-
| {{lang|ga|Paisean Faisean}}
| Commendation
| Promax Awards International 2007
|-
| ''Wimbledon''
| Commendation
| Promax Awards International 2007
|-
| ''Poem''
| Awarded
| Radio Advertising Awards
Gold Medal – Best Irish/American Drama
Sharks International Awards 2006
|-
| {{lang|ga|Paisean Faisean}}
| Gold Medal
| Sharks International Awards 2007
|-
| {{lang|ga|Paisean Faisean}}
| Bronze Medal
| EPICA (European Awards)
|-
| {{lang|ga|Paisean Faisean}}
| Best of Category
| Radio Advertising Awards
|-
| {{lang|ga|Paisean Faisean}}
| Gold Medal
| Radio Advertising Awards
|-
| TG4 Outdoor Posters
| Bronze Award:
| ICAD Awards 2006
|-
| {{lang|ga|Paisean Faisean}}
| Bronze Medal – Best Promo
| ICAD 2005
|-
| {{lang|ga|Dearadh}}/Design
| Winner: Two Golden Bell Awards for a TG4 promo and a TG4 channel "ident"
| ICAD 2004
|}

==On-air identity and marketing==
TG4's on screen identity is very different from its counterparts', drawing upon the station's original slogan {{lang|ga|Súil Eile}} ("another view").

Its first idents were under their former name of TnaG. The music on TnaG's early ident sequences was produced by Irish composer [[Oisin Lunny]]. The opening sequence featured a number of Irish scenes from across the Island of Ireland, including Belfast and Dublin, and finished with a lighthouse, the light of which beamed the logo onto the screen. While the longer sequence went out at the beginning of each day and the end of the night, a shorter version went out before each programme. TnaG ran numerous marketing campaigns with this logo. Their main features were the difference of the Irish. One ad featured [[Red Lemonade]]. The slogan used in English was "Because we're Different" followed by the well known Irish slogan {{lang|ga|Súil Eile}}". Another marketing campaign featured the stars of the channel asking the question "What more do you look for from a station?" They would be based at various stations such as train and space stations.

In 1999 with the onset of digital television, TnaG was rebranded as TG4 to strengthen the perception of the brand, from being niche Irish-language-only channel to mainstream channel with Irish-language programmes. The TG4 ident continued with the difference aspect of the channel, that provides an alternative view, the slogan {{lang|ga|Súil Eile}} translates literally as "another eye" but is also a pun in Irish meaning "a different view". The logo takes the G from the original logo, separates it from the T and the T loses its Celtic script look. The promotion of the channel from TnaG to TG4 was done with the use of a caterpillar growing into a butterfly.
During its 1999 rebrand TG4 would now feature a [[Digital on-screen graphic|DOG]] in the top right hand corner on all of TG4's programming, previously a TnaG DOG featured only on [[Oireachtas]] and [[QVC]] broadcasts.

The idents from 1999 to 2003 featured various people playing or messing in the background of the screen before the logo appear with the words Súil Eile below the logo.

In 2003, numerous new idents were developed for the station, featuring fairies, bridges, launderette, cars, wrestlers etc. TG4 promotions now feature the seasons Geimhreadh (Winter), Earrach (Spring), Samhradh (Summer) and Fómhar (Autumn). The opening ad break ident states {{lang|ga|Fan Linn}} ("stay with us") and the ad break ends with {{lang|ga|Seo Linn}} ("here we are"). In autumn 2010 the season theme was dropped and replaced by a blue cube logo; the idents were updated with the TG4 logo animating up in a different way.

On Saturday 1 September 2012, TG4 launched its autumn schedule. At this time a new look was introduced, a new ident was introduced and all the miscellaneous presentation was revamped. An updated logo was launched which is now coloured a dark grey. The identity focuses on the theme of Irish folklore including the [[Children of Lir]]. For the first time since the channels launch the on-screen logo is found on the top left hand corner. All the new graphics are created for HD ahead of TG4 HD's launch on UPC on 2 October 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/press/index.htm |title=TG4 Autumn Schedule 2014 |work=tg4.ie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904163816/http://www.tg4.ie/press/index.htm |archive-date=4 September 2012 }}</ref> In-vision continuity followed by TG4's new generic ident. The generic ident is also used after weather updates when a long ident is not required as the weather presenter acts as a continuity announcer at the end of the forecast announcing the next show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/press/docs/TG4-PDF-Schedules/Fomhar-2012.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-09-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916100454/http://www.tg4.ie/press/docs/TG4-PDF-Schedules/Fomhar-2012.pdf |archive-date=16 September 2012 }}</ref>

In February 2021, TG4 launched a set of six new idents with a strong focus on Irish folklore with CGI and 4D elements to the designs, these were produced between TG4 and [[Red Bee Creative]]. The idents continue to use TG4's signature theme tune.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redbeecreative.com/news/tg4-rebrand|format=article|title=New brand identity work for broadcaster TG4, brings Cinema 4D graphics together with traditional Irish folklore.|date=2 February 2021|website=independent.ie|access-date=23 August 2022|archive-date=26 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826075615/https://www.redbeecreative.com/news/tg4-rebrand|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Logos===
<gallery>
TG4 logo (1999-2003).svg|1999-2003
TG4 logo (2003-2012).svg|2003-2012
</gallery>

==List of TG4 Idents==

*'''1996:'''
**Just the launch of the logo
*'''1999:'''
# Messing in the background
# Playing

*'''2004:'''
# Fairy
# Laundry
# Bridge
# Cars
# Wrestling

*'''2012:'''
# Robo the Pink Creature
# Swan
# Baling Bales

*'''2021:'''
# Road
# Farmer

==Northern Ireland==
TG4 was originally only available in [[Northern Ireland]] via 'overspill' of the terrestrial signal from the [[Republic of Ireland]]. In the 1998 [[Belfast Agreement]] there was provision for TG4 (then still known as TnaG) to be made available in Northern Ireland, along with increased recognition of the Irish language. Similarly, while TG4, along with the Republic of Ireland's other terrestrial channels, is carried on [[Sky (UK & Ireland)|Sky Ireland]] there, it was not available to Sky subscribers in Northern Ireland until 18 April 2005 or on [[Virgin Media|Virgin Media NI]] until February 2007.

In March 2005, TG4 began broadcasting from the [[Divis]] transmitter near [[Belfast]], as a result of agreement between the [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ireland)|Department of Foreign Affairs]] and the [[Northern Ireland Office]]. However, because of overcrowding on the frequency bands, only a low power signal can be transmitted and reception was still unavailable in many areas, even in parts of Belfast. The channel was, however, available on cable, digital terrestrial television (Freeview) and on to Sky satellite subscribers.

On 1 February 2010, the [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]'s Minister for Communications [[Eamon Ryan]] signed an agreement with the UK's [[Ben Bradshaw]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0202/1224263582384.html|title=RTÉ and TG4 to be freely available in North in 2012|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=2 February 2010|access-date=7 February 2010|archive-date=20 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220221923/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0202/1224263582384.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This agreement enabled viewers within [[Northern Ireland]] to watch [[RTÉ One]], [[RTÉ Two]] and TG4 on a [[free-to-air]] basis as of 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0201/communications.html|title=RTÉ News: Ryan signs TG4 agreement with the British government|access-date=7 February 2010|date=1 February 2010|archive-date=11 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211215605/http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0201/communications.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The agreement between both jurisdictions initially also guaranteed viewers within the Republic would be able to view [[BBC One Northern Ireland]] and [[BBC Two Northern Ireland]] on the Republic's free-to-air service [[Saorview]]. A cross-border initiative has always been on the agenda for the [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] in Ireland. However, it was later confirmed [[BBC Northern Ireland]] services will not be made available in the Republic and would be made available on a 'paid for' basis. As of 2025, BBC Northern Ireland services are still unavailable on Saorview.

==Main TG4 analogue UHF transmitters==
Before Ireland completed its [[digital switchover]] in 2012, these transmitters were used for broadcasting the analogue version of TG4. These transmitters are now used to broadcast free-to-view channels via an aerial and a set-top box, such as with the [[Saorview]] and [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] service.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Channel
! Location<ref>[http://www.irish-tv.com/irishtrans.asp RTÉ Analogue Television Transmitter Network] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717034519/http://www.irish-tv.com/irishtrans.asp |date=17 July 2012 }}</ref>
|-
| 23 || [[Mount Leinster]]
|-
| 31 || [[Mullaghanish]]
|-
| 33 || [[Holywell Hill]]
|-
| 50 || [[Carn Clonhugh|Cairn Hill]]
|-
| 55 || [[Three Rock]]
|-
| 59 || [[Divis]] ([[Belfast]])
|-
| 59 || [[Kippure]]
|-
| 63 || Spur Hill
|-
| 63 || Truskmore
|-
| 68 || [[Clermont Carn]]
|-
| 68 || Maghera
|}

==See also==
*[[List of Irish television channels]]
*[[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta]]
*[[World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network]]
*[[S4C]]
*[[BBC Alba (TV channel)|BBC Alba]]
* [[Celtic Media Festival]]
*[[List of Celtic-language media]]
*[[Whakaata Māori]] (Māori Television)
*[[Aboriginal Peoples Television Network|Canadian Aboriginal Peoples Television Network]]
*[[Te Reo (TV channel)]]
*[[NRK Sámi Radio]]
*[[SABC]]
*[[TITV]]
*[[Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation|PTS]]
*[[NITV]]

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Cite web|url=http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/Major+changes+heralded+in+broadcasting+as+new+laws+enacted.htm |title=Major changes heralded in broadcasting as new laws enacted |publisher=Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources |date=15 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720074418/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press%2BReleases/Major%2Bchanges%2Bheralded%2Bin%2Bbroadcasting%2Bas%2Bnew%2Blaws%2Benacted.htm |archive-date=20 July 2009 |df=dmy }}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQfnyu6JGs4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/YQfnyu6JGs4 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Minister Ryan discusses the Broadcasting Act |publisher=Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources/Youtube.com|date=15 July 2009}}{{cbignore}}
* [http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=9433&&CatID=59] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826082423/http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=9433&&CatID=59 |date=26 August 2016 }} Broadcasting Act 2009
* "Irish Viewers to get a '6' Sense Soon." (9 February 2006). The ''Irish Independent'' Business section, p10
* {{cite book|first=Seán Tadhg|last=Ó Gairbhí|title=Súil eile|publisher=Cois Life|year=2017|isbn=9781907494437|trans-title=Other eye}} 419 pages.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.tg4.ie Official Site] [http://www.tg4.ie {{in lang|ga}}] [http://www.tg4.ie/en/ {{in lang|en}}]
* [http://www.tg4.tv TG4 online stream]
<!-- * [http://www.business2000.ie/archive/1st_edition.html] This link works, but what's its purpose here?-->

{{TG4}}
{{Irish Television Channels}}
{{European Broadcasting Union Members}}
{{Gaeltacht}}
{{Gaels}}
{{Media in County Galway}}
{{Irish linguistics}}
{{EU TV}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:TG4]]
[[Category:Irish-language television]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Ireland]]
[[Category:European Broadcasting Union members]]
[[Category:State-sponsored bodies of the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1996]]
[[Category:Television channels in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Television stations in Ireland]]