Local Archaeology series for UTV

Ulster Unearthed UTV

Time Team might have run out of hours on Channel 4, but for UTV the archaeological dig has just begun with a new series – Ulster Unearthed.

Northern Ireland’s newest independent production company, Televisionary:NI, has been commissioned to make a series of programmes exploring local archaeology and heritage.

 “We have worked with UTV very successfully on previous occasions from our base in England. Now, with UTV’s support, we have been able to establish our Televisionary:NI office here in Belfast and we look forward to producing more Northern Ireland programmes here in the future.

“Given Northern Ireland’s rich history, we believed there was great scope to produce a heritage series, looking at life here in the 17th century. We were delighted that UTV agreed and gave us the go-ahead to make Ulster Unearthed.” Says Televisionary’s Creative Director, Jeremy Hibbard.

Presented by UTV’s Rita FitzGerald and featuring a team of local experts and state-of-the-art computer imaging, the series of six programmes explores a variety of sites and digs across Northern Ireland.

Michael Wilson, UTV’s Managing Director of Television adds, “UTV is a major supporter of the creative industries in Northern Ireland and independent programme-makers in particular.

“We are delighted that Televisionary:NI is now established in Northern Ireland and we wish them every success.

“We also appreciate the support of Northern Ireland Screen in part-funding the production with Televisionary:NI, through its Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund.

“This is the fourth series UTV has commissioned from Televisionary. Previously, the company produced three runs of Ultimate Ulster for us, which was not only the most watched non-news programme on UTV at that time, but also the most watched regional programme in the whole of the UK.”

Ulster Unearthed airs on UTV

[Reported by Mike Watkins, Photographed: (left to right) Jeremy Hibbard, creative director, Televisionary:NI; Michael Wilson, UTV’s managing director of Television; Richard Williams, chief executive, Northern Ireland Screen; and Rita FitzGerald, presenter of Ulster Unearthed.]