Cúla4
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Cúla 4
| logo = Cula4_Purple_2022_(1).svg
| logo_size = 150px
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption = Logo used since 11 April 2022
| launch_date = 31 October 1996 (programming block)
1 September 2009 (simulcast channel on UPC)
8 September 2023 (standalone channel)
| picture_format = 1080i HDTV
{{small|(downscaled to 576i for the SDTV feed)}}
| owner = Teilifís na Gaeilge
| country = Ireland
| language = Irish
| area = Ireland
Northern Ireland
Worldwide (online)
| affiliates =
| former_names = Cúlabúla (1996–1999)
| replaced_by =
| sister_channels = TG4
| website = [http://www.cula4.com Cúla4.com]
| terr_serv_1 = Saorview
| terr_chan_1 = Channel 18
| terr_serv_2 = Freeview (UK)
| terr_chan_2 = Channel 51
(Northern Ireland only)
| online_serv_1 = TG4
| online_chan_1 = [http://www.tg4.ie/en/live/home/ Watch live] (TG4)
| online_serv_2 = Virgin TV Anywhere
| online_chan_2 = [https://www.virginmediatv.ie/en/epg/IESVC1346 Watch live] (Ireland only)
| online_serv_3 = AerTV
| online_chan_3 = [https://www.aertv.ie/ Watch live] (TG4, Ireland only)
}}
Cúla4 ({{langx|ga|Cúla Ceathair}}) is an Irish-language programming block and standalone television channel operated by TG4 for Irish-speaking children in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The channel broadcasts free-to-air from 6am to 7:54pm, timesharing with TG4 +1, which starts at 8pm.
History
The strand was first established in 1996 as Cúlabúla along with the rebrand of TnaG to TG4. In 1999, Cúlabúla was renamed Cúla4. On 1 September 2009, Cúla4 was added as a separate channel to UPC customers on channel 602.{{cite web |url=http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/corp/pr/2009/0716-1.asp |title=TG4 - Irish language television channel - Teilifis Gaeilge - Corporate - Press Releases |access-date=2009-08-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815162635/http://www.tg4.ie/Bearla/corp/pr/2009/0716-1.asp |archive-date=15 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }} A new schedule coincided with the launch on UPC.
In November 2021, TG4 announced that it was planning to launch Cúla4 as a channel available for all Irish TV providers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/radio/rnag/clips/22033164/|title=Tús Áite: Cainéal nua Cúla 4|language=Irish |trans-title=Tús Áite: New Cúla 4 channel|website=RTE Radio|date=19 November 2021 }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/tg4-to-appoint-kids-channel-manager-and-boost-current-affairs-content-1.4733393|title=TG4 to appoint kids' channel manager and boost current affairs content|first=Laura|last=Slattery|newspaper=The Irish Times}} An advertising campaign for the channel was launched in early September 2023 and advertisements were played on TV and in cinemas. The channel launched on 8 September at 4pm, replacing the simulcast on Virgin Media and also being added to Sky in Ireland. The first programme aired on the channel was an episode of Pat the Dog.
Programming
{{Main|List of programmes broadcast by TG4#Children's}}
The majority of Cúla4's programming is a mixture of national and international programmes which are either dubbed or subtitled in Irish. Cúla4 works with international broadcasters to produce Irish dubs of TV series which are seen on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, PBS and Discovery Family. It also works with homegrown animation companies to produce localised series. Cúla4's programming is either in Irish or in Irish and English, unlike its competition where the majority of their programmes are entirely in English.
=''Cúla4 ar Scoil''=
Cúla4 Ar Scoil was launched in April 2020 in response to the closure of all schools during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland in 2020,{{Cite web |title=TG4 to launch new school programme for children in Irish language schools |url=https://extra.ie/2020/04/10/must-see/tg4-school-programme-children-irish-language-schools |last=Wall |first=Eva |date=2020-04-10 |website=Extra.ie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527164011/https://extra.ie/2020/04/10/must-see/tg4-school-programme-children-irish-language-schools |archive-date=2020-05-27 |access-date=2020-05-27}} following RTÉ's launch of Home School Hub in March. It was recorded in Connemara with teachers Caitríona Ní Chualáin and Fiachra Ó Dubhghaill presenting daily lessons for the 30-minute show. A second series began in September with teachers Orla Ní Fhinneadha and Micheál Ó Dubhghaill.{{Cite news |title=Limerick college teams up with TG4 for series two of Cúla4 ar Scoil |access-date=2020-11-16 |website=LimerickLeader.ie |last=Mongan
|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/572514/limerick-college-teams-up-with-tg4-for-series-two-of-cula4-ar-scoil.html |first=Martin |date=2020-09-09 |url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web |first=Richard |last=Lynch |url=https://www.ilovelimerick.ie/cula4-ar-scoil-3/ |title=MIC Teams Up with TG4 for Series 2 of Cula4 ar Scoil |date=2 September 2020 |access-date=17 September 2020 |website=ILoveLimerick.ie}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website}}
{{TG4}}
{{Gaels}}
{{Irish linguistics}}
{{Children's channels in UK & Ireland}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cula4}}
Category:Children's television networks
Category:Irish-language television shows
Category:1996 establishments in Ireland
Category:Television channels and stations established in 2009
Category:Television programming blocks in Europe