Radio News

New weekend schedule at Cool FM as Andy Baird leaves

In his place, a range of new presenters and programmes as the Bauer service introduces a new ‘Spring schedule’. There are new slots for Melissa Riddell, Katharine Walker, DJ Hix, and Owen Beers. Fashion blogger Melissa Riddell will take over the weekend breakfast slot (6-10am). Melissa started her time at Cool FM in 2017 through the ‘Cool Choices’ programme – a scheme designed to offer work experience in the media industry to young people aged 16 to 24...

Contracts renewed for Classic Hits and Radio Nova

Choice Broadcasting Limited, trading as Classic Hits, and Classic Rock Broadcasting Limited, trading as Radio Nova, have both had their Contracts renewed with the BAI. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland signed the documents to enable both services to continue on FM till October 2030. Classic Hits agrees to provide a Classic Gold / Easy Listening / Smooth Multi-City Sound Broadcasting Service targeting an audience aged 45+ years Whilst Radio Nova will provide a Classic Rock music-based sound broadcasting service targeting adults aged 25+ years in Dublin city and county and commuter belt...

Bay Broadcasting hires Dave Kelly and Liam Thompson

Bay Broadcasting has hired Dave Kelly and Liam Thompson as Group Programme Consultants. Dave Kelly was Group Programme Director of FM104 and Q102 for almost twenty years, whilst Liam Thompson has been Group Programme Director of Communicorp and PD of Magic London and launch director of Virgin Radio in the UK. Liam also worked as a Consultant for Cork’s 96FM and C103 in 2017. As consultants, they will work with Bay Broadcasting’s Radio Nova and Classic Hits, implementing a joint strategy for the stations to develop the two brands into the future and capitalise on opportunities Bay sees in the Irish radio market currently...

Radio Kerry’s Christmas Jumper Day raises €22,621

Radio Kerry’s annual county-wide Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser for St Vincent de Paul has raised €22,621, surpassing the €15,000 target for 2020. It was the seventh year of the fundraiser and brings the amount raised to date to over €117,000. Hundreds of people took part in Christmas Jumper Day right across the county, on Friday December 11th, in homes, places of work, schools, crèches, factories and shops. It was a very colourful event with jumpers of all shapes, colour and sizes, shop bought, borrowed and carefully handcrafted! ...

WLR’s Christmas Appeal raises over €90,000

This year’s Christmas Appeal at WLR has raised over €90,000 despite restrictions over activities due to the coronavirus. The Money raised will go directly to the SVP in Waterford so they can continue to help the people of Waterford City and County. The services provided not only include financial assistance for food, bills, rent, fuel, and electricity where necessary, but also, support for people in making a better life for themselves and their families. Events this year were difficult due to restrictions, but several virtual events took place including the ‘Wear Red Day’, the annual Santa run, a virtual swim, 12-dogs of Christmas...

It’s Donation Day for ALONE at Christmas FM

Christmas FM is running its annual Donation Day today to raise funds for the charity ALONE. The festive radio station is aiming to raise over €200,000 this year to provide over 20,000 hours of vital support to older people in Ireland During the 12-hour radiothon from 7am to 7pm, the station will be asking listeners to dig deep and help raise vital funds by making a donation through christmasfm.com or via the telephone number 1890 911 977. Garvan Rigby, Co-Founder of Christmas FM says; “This is our 13th year on air as Christmas FM. Over the years we have raised almost €2.5 million for deserving charities, and we will continue to keep raising vital funds with the generous help of the Irish public...

Schedule changes at Cork’s 96FM and C103

A number of changes to the programme schedules at Cork’s 96FM and C103 have been announced for 2021. Ken Tobin will move from the 12noon to 4pm slot on Cork’s 96FM to take over Cork’s More Music Breakfast on C103. He replaces Simon Murdoch who will replace Ken on Cork’s 96FM. Ken is 96FM’s longest serving presenter in the same time slot, whilst Simon cut his teeth on 96FM as a weekend presenter before getting a daily show on iRadio. He joined C103 a couple of years ago to present Cork’s More Music Breakfast. Both will start their new roles on 04th January 2021. Ken Tobin says “I’m absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to host the breakfast show on C103 and work with my friends there...

Spin gets exclusive chat with George Clooney

SPIN 1038’S Plan B landed an Irish radio exclusive with George Clooney this week. The actor is currently promoting his new movie The Midnight Sky, an American Sci-fi which Clooney both directed and stars in. Speaking to Plan B host Sarina Bellissimo on SPIN 1038 this morning (Saturday), George recalled his time in Ireland meeting his relatives, life in lockdown and how he’s never happier than when he’s at home with the kids...

Ian Dempsey announces Today FM’s poll results

The results are in for The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show End of Year Poll. The survey asked Today FM listeners to vote for their 2020 favourites across a host of categories including music, movies, TV, podcasts and new to this year’s poll, ‘Covid Hero of the Year’ and ‘Hope for 2021’ categories. Thousands of Breakfast Show listeners cast their votes and the results are a perfect look back at all that was positive in the year that was, well apart from the Word of the Year winner where (unsurprisingly) ‘Lockdown’ came out on top! Katie Taylor was voted Woman of the Year for the second year running while Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan takes the Man of the Year title...

The Ivy Sisters win the Aldi Christmas FM Song Contest

Mele Kalikimaka by Wexford based group The Ivy Sisters have been announced as the winners of The Aldi Christmas FM Song Contest for 2020. Now in its thirteenth year, the song contest, on Ireland’s Christmas radio station, attracts hundreds of entries each year – vying to be crowned the winner by Christmas FM’s extensive national and international audience. The Ivy Sisters are made up of three women living in Wexford Town, Aileen Donohoe, Jilly Cox and Sharon Clancy who formed in 2019. Due to the pandemic, they were forced to delay their plans to launch on the live scene so winning the song contest has been a great way to end the year for them...