UTV Ireland, a new mainstream family TV channel for Ireland, will launch on 1 January 2015.

The channel will be an extension to UTV Media's offering in Northern Ireland, with the addition of original commissioned content. News and current affairs coverage will also be tailored, with two shows launching on 5 January 2015: Ireland Live, an early evening half hour weekday news bulletin, and Ireland Live at 10, an hour-long show broadcast between 10pm and 11pm every weekday evening.

Mary Curtis is head of channel, while Marcus Lehnen is head of news.

The team can be found tweeting @UTVIreland.