The countdown is on to tonight's first episode of Red Rock and excitement is mounting as TV3 gets ready to launch the first new soap in over 20 years.  

TV3 has commissioned the continuing drama for two years, committing to over 160 episodes and representing an investment of close to €7million per annum. The soap will employ up to 130 people full-time in the audio/visual and acting industry. 

Red Rock will air every Wednesday and Thursday at 8.30pm on TV3

Director of content with TV3 Jeff Ford joined Jonathan Healy today and told him that the launch marks an evolution for TV3.

“When you have your own soap your station does grow up a little bit. So for us having our own soap, our own Irish soap commissioned, is a big step forward.”

While Red Rock is a major event in itself for the station, it is not the only advance they are planning over the coming months.

“But it’s not just the soap we’re relying on, what we’ve done is actually produce a number of programme genres that we’re ploughing money into.”

Forde discussed these pans, as well as tonight's launch, with Jonathan and you can listen below to the full interview