Cúla 4
| Cúla 4 | |
|---|---|
| Launched |
31 October 1996 (block) 1 September 2009 (channel) |
| Closed | 31 August 2009 (block) |
| Owned by | Teilifís na Gaeilge |
| Picture format |
576i PAL I standard (analogue)16:9 1080i (HDTV) (from 30 September 2012 on UPC Ireland) |
| Country | Ireland |
| Language |
English Irish |
| Formerly called | Cúlabúla (1996–1999) |
| Sister channel(s) | TG4 |
| Website | Cúla 4 Website |
Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Irish analogue | programming block on TG4 (see that article) |
| Irish digital | Mux 1 |
| Satellite | |
| Sky Ireland | Channel 104 (as TG4) |
| Sky (United Kingdom) |
Channel 163 Northern Ireland only |
| Virgin Media Ireland |
Channel 602 Channel 104 (as TG4) |
| Magnet Networks | Channel 104 (as TG4) |
Cúla 4 (Irish: Cúla Ceathair) is an Irish language programming block and a stand-alone television channel for Irish speaking children in the Republic of Ireland. It is operated by TG4.
Development
The strand was first established in 1996 as Cúlabúla; with the rebrand of TnaG to TG4 in 1999 Cúlabúla was renamed "Cúla 4". As of 1 September 2009 Cúla 4 is available as a separate channel to Virgin Media Ireland customers on channel 602.[1] A new schedule coincided with the launch on UPC.
The majority of programming is a mixture of homegrown and international programmes which are either dubbed or subtitled in Irish. Cúla 4 works with international broadcasters to produce Irish versions of hit TV series which are seen on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and PBS. It also works with homegrown animation companies to produce localized series. Cúla 4 offers something unique in an already saturated kids television market in Ireland with the existence of RTÉjr/TRTÉ, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and the Disney Channel. Cúla 4's programming is either in Irish or in Irish and English, unlike its competition where the majority of their programmes are entirely in English.
Cúla 4 strands
- CÚLA4 NA nÓG: airing between 07:00 - 14:00 is a programming block targeting pre-school children ages 2 to 5, it airs series such as Elmo's World, Tar ag Spraoi Sesame, Dora the Explorer (in Irish, teaching Spanish), Ni Hao Kai Lan, Franny's Feet, Dive, Olly, Dive, and The Mr. Men Show. All programmes are in the Irish language.
- CÚLA4: airs between 14:00-16:50 is a programming block targeting 6 to 11 year olds. Programmes include Ben 10, Johnny Test, SpongeBob SquarePants, Scaredy Squirrel, Back at the Barnyard, Eliot Kid, The Mighty B!, Skunk Fu, Bog Stop and Fanboy & Chum Chum.
- PONC: airs between 16:50-19:00 targeting 12 to 18 year olds. It hosts a number of live action drama series such as Aifric (which is also shown in Scotland on BBC Alba), and international shows such as H2O, Life with Derek, 8 Simple Rules, Pimp My Ride, My Super Sweet 16, The Hills, The City, Gossip Girl, South Park, One Tree Hill, Dance Academy, Switched at Birth, Wipeout and What I Like About You. It also shows a number of extreme sports shows such as Planet X and Groms Tour. This programming block is hosted by Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill and Colmán Mac Séalaigh.
Other Cúla 4 na nÓg programmes
- Abby & Scoil Eitilte na Síoga (Abby's Flying Fairy School)
- Ag Spraoi le Claude (Fun with Claude)
- Arán Draíochta (Cloud Bread)
- Béar Mór agus Gíog (Big Bear and Squeak)
- Eachtraí Bert & Ernie (Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures)
- Global ag Taisteal (Global Grover)
- Igam Ogam
- Kioka
- Loopdidoo
- Mouk
- Ni Hao, Kai-Lan (in Irish, teaching Chinese)
- Olivia
- Raa Raa an Leon Glórach
- Rith Diego Rith (Go Diego Go) (in Irish, teaching Spanish)
- Saol faoi Shráid
- Toto i dTrioblóid (Toto Trouble)
- Tractor Tom
- Traein na nDineasár (Dinosaur Train)
- Wonder Pets
- Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!
Other Cúla 4 programmes
- Angelo Rules
- Atomic Betty (now airs on TRTE)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Codename: Kids Next Door
- Doodlebops Rockin' Road Show
- Edgar and Ellen
- Eloise
- Firehouse Tales
- Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
- Garfield
- I.N.K. Invisible Network of Kids
- Jay Jay The Jet Plane
- Lizzie McGuire
- Pet Alien
- Puppy in my Pocket
- Scaredy Squirrel
- The Batman
- Scéalta Tom & Jerry
- Winx Club
- Watership Down (now airs on RTEjr)
Cúla 4 has also dubbed some children's films into Irish including Harry Potter, Jungledyret Hugo, Free Willy. Scooby Doo, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Thumbelina and A Troll in Central Park.
Future
It is proposed that TG4 will launch Cula 4 and/or Ponc as a stand-alone channel on the Saorview platform in the near future.
See also
- The Den
- Nickelodeon
- Cyw - Welsh language children's channel
References
External links
Children's and teenagers' TV and radio channels in the UK and Ireland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Active Television |  | |
| Active Radio | ||
| Active Video on Demand | ||
| Defunct | ||