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TV3 staff at last autumn's schedule launch. Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

TV3 staff warned of disciplinary action over leaks of possible schedule changes

Emails were circulated to all staff today, after reports that the broadcaster is considering sweeping changes to its roster of in-house productions.

TV3 WORKERS CAUGHT leaking any confidential business or editorial information will face disciplinary action, management warned today in an email sent to all staff at Ballymount.

The memo – seen by TheJournal.ie - comes after a number of tabloid newspapers ran stories this morning speculating on sweeping changes to the daytime schedule of in-house productions.

Aside from the imported Jeremy Kyle Show, the commercial broadcaster’s schedule from 7am to lunchtime is home produced – with Ireland AM leading into the The Morning Show, and then Midday.

Exposé and its 5.30 news product are also considered part of the “daytime” schedule.

The email, sent this afternoon from recently-appointed head of content Jeff Ford, stated:

Over the past couple of months a number of highly sensitive stories have appeared in the press regarding TV3.

Yesterday we were contacted by a journalist from the Mail who listed a number of confidential changes we were in the process of reviewing this week.

Ford goes on to warn staff that if the leaks are discovered to be coming from the broadcaster, it will “become a disciplinary matter”.

On foot of an enquiry from TheJournal.ie about the memo, a spokesperson for TV3 said that:

On the back of the recent leak of confidential information in relation to TV3, all staff were reminded of their contractual obligations. Like any business, confidentiality is imperative when it comes to certain business matters and any breach of confidentiality could result in disciplinary action being taken. This is normal procedure in any business.

A second staff email, sent by the HR department, tells workers at TV3 that the coverage in today’s papers was “not accurate”. According to HR Director Julie Eastwood:

We are considering some changes to our daytime schedule but this remains a work in progress.

She says that management have spoken to anyone likely to be affected by the changes under consideration, and that “no one’s job is at risk” despite the “outlandish headlines that have appeared today”.

The Irish Daily Mirror had claimed this morning that Xposé, Ireland AM, Midday and The Morning Show all “face axe”.

A spokesperson for TV3 told TheJournal.ie that “this is not true”. The spokesperson said:

Yesterday TV3 confirmed when questioned that Daytime would be changing and that such changes would be announced at the upcoming autumn launch on 15th August.

Below is what was said:

“TV3 Daytime is undergoing a makeover with new changes to the programming structure scheduled to be revealed at TV3′s upcoming autumn launch on 15th August. Daytime on TV3 consists of all shows from 7am – 6pm (Ireland AM, Jeremy Kyle, The Morning Show, Midday, News, Xposé etc). Jeff Ford, TV3 Group Director of content said: “We’re very excited about the upcoming changes as is everyone at TV3. We’re looking forward to revealing all on the 15th.”

I’m not sure how the Mirror construed from this that 4 shows were for the “axe”. But, without revealing our changes, this is not true.

We are looking at a very exciting refresh of our entire daytime schedule which will enhance what is already a very strong performing part of our schedule.

Ford was appointed to the role of director of content in January of this year, moving from UK broadcaster Channel 5. He hinted of major changes to come in a statement released at the time:

“I can’t wait to meet the talented team there and start working alongside them to bring viewers even more great programming which will take TV3 to the next stage in its development.”

Read: TV3 denies that Fionnan Sheahan is banned from the Vincent Browne show>

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    Mute Owen Lynch
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:14 PM

    Dublin Corpo have ordered a big whale barrow to help move it.

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    Mute Jeni Moriarty
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:16 PM

    Bahahaha i lol,d

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    Mute Donal Martin
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    Aug 19th 2016, 6:30 PM

    Stealing that joke. Good man

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    Mute Desmodromic
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    Aug 19th 2016, 7:21 PM

    Tis true, then they’re taking it to the whale weigh station!!

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    Mute Free comment ratings
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:01 PM

    You can steal a joke? Bahhahaha. I haven’t heard that since I was 5.

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Aug 19th 2016, 9:59 PM

    Come on…lets go poke it with a stick..

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    Mute John Mossy Naz Scales
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    Aug 20th 2016, 12:03 AM

    Cracking reply sir

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    Mute Alan Kelly's Ego
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:39 PM

    I failed to stay away from a beached whale in coppers one night. Take heed folks, it ain’t pretty

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    Mute Andy Kennedy
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:43 PM

    She probably feels the same way about you.

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:50 PM

    Alan , I laughed at that. . Even though I probably shouldn’t have …

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    Mute Alan Kelly's Ego
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:58 PM

    I have no doubt she did Andy. It turned into a very awkward situation for both of us. That’s why the warning must be heeded

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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:27 PM

    ah no one of the Egyptian TV news anchors….RIP

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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:17 PM

    Did you lose your wedding ring.

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    Mute Del Haven
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:42 PM

    Risk of infection from everything these days. Away off and see the dead stinky whale if yis want.

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    Mute Paddy Byrne
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:43 PM

    Your a fool.

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    Mute Niall Lonergan
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:48 PM

    *You’re

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    Mute ray.farrelly
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:13 PM

    Niall. Did you just on here to correct people.

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    Mute Paddy Byrne
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:42 PM

    Didn’t know this was english class. Nothing better to do than comment on peoples grammar?

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    Mute Del Haven
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:54 PM

    He was pointing out how foolish to make a grammatical error when calling someone a fool. People’s grammar is not the issue.

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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:19 PM

    Their there they’re.

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Aug 21st 2016, 10:54 AM

    People’s grammar….

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    Mute Danny G
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:17 PM

    “Stay away from the whale if you don’t want to get Moby Dick!!”

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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:26 PM

    Is Minke southsoider speak for Manky?

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    Mute Agrippa
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:26 PM

    “Warning, some viewers might find pics offensive” FFS nanny state in all its glory, look at the milennials, offended by their own shadow!

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    Mute Neal not Neil
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:01 AM

    It’s just good manners. You cover your mouth when you cough and you do people the basic courtesy of warning them before you shove a picture of a corpse in front of them.

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    Mute Neal not Neil
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:02 AM

    Also, The Journal is not a state.

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    Mute Bondage Informer
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    Aug 19th 2016, 10:22 PM

    Death by plastic? Other dead whales have plastic trapped in their stomachs – plastic is a serious problem for the oceans.

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    Mute Del Haven
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:51 PM

    So close, Paddy.

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    Mute Pat O'Brien
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    Aug 19th 2016, 6:14 PM

    Enjoy your fish and chips folks. The oceans have been well and truly raped. #theydiewedie

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    Mute Séamus Longshanks
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    Aug 19th 2016, 6:08 PM

    I am always amazed how officialdom gets all excited by something as common as a beached whale.

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    Mute David Lewis
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:40 PM

    Brown Bread

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    Mute Mistur Haych
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    Aug 19th 2016, 11:34 PM

    Is that Mary Harney? Stay back lads, she’s only playing dead….

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    Mute Warren McAllister
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:27 PM

    Hope DLRCOCO have seen this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vmnq5dBF7Y

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    Mute Jane Baird
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    Aug 20th 2016, 1:01 PM

    So sad at absolute lack of humanity evident. Appallingly insensitive.

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    Mute Brown Boots
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:05 PM

    Tasty!

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    Aug 20th 2016, 8:55 AM
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    Aug 20th 2016, 8:57 AM
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    Mute brian magee
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:36 AM

    Interesting to see all the gas build up that causes it to bloat and float

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