Radio News

New breakfast at RTÉ 2FM as Eoghan McDermott exits

RTÉ has announced a new direction for the breakfast show is being planned at 2FM after confirming the departure of Eoghan McDermott. Eoghan’s exit was speculated last week, with RTÉ confirming the news today that he won’t be returned to breakfast, saying his contract will be expiring shortly. The statement says: “RTÉ is developing a new direction for the 2FM Breakfast Show which will be revealed in the coming weeks...

RTE digital radio services to continue online

RTÉ is ending transmissions on DAB digital radio at the end of March, but its DAB-only services will now continue online. Previously, the broadcaster announced it would end DAB transmissions and close RTÉ Gold, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, RTÉ Pulse, and RTÉjr Radio. But in a U-turn, these stations will survive due to feedback from listeners. RTÉ says its decision to cease DAB transmission was driven by three main factors – the fact that DAB was the least utilised platform in Ireland; that RTÉ is the only Irish broadcaster on the DAB system, and cost avoidance...

Foo Fighters Radio series planned for Radio Nova

Foo Fighters will host a special six-part series on Radio Nova to mark the release of their tenth album and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination. They start on Saturday February 27th at 6pm (repeated Sunday night at 9pm). During the series, Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee will break out from the band and explore their personal inspirations, spotlight influential artists on their careers and play some of their biggest hits. In each episode the lads chat to their rock star friends and reflect on the creative process behind the new album “Medicine At Midnight”...

Wisebuddah updates jingles and themes for 98FM

There’s a new sound on 98FM thanks to an updated jingle package from Wisebuddah in London. The new sound is an evolution of the 2018 branding and reflects recent developments in the station’s format and playlist to incorporate more of the biggest hits through a number of years, along with today’s best music. The package includes a brand-new Top of Hour, fresh Show openers for Dublin Talks and 98FM’s Big Breakfast, and a new News theme, along with a selection of IDs taken from Wisebuddah’s Antenne Bayern 2020 package...

Beat 102-103 finds the ultimate smarty pants

Beat 102-103 has named a Tipperary man as the South East’s ultimate Smarty Pants. The competition, called Smarty Pants, kicked off on Monday when Beat challenged self-confessed know-it-alls to prove they had the smarts to face up to the presenters in a general knowledge showdown. Across the week, eleven contestants were whittled down to eight as they fought off legions of Beat jocks, from Orla Rapple of The Sunday Grill to Beat at Work’s David Hammond. The competition was inspired by Beat’s record digital listening figures, which show that more people than ever are listening to Beat on smart speakers...

iRadio strikes up new partnership with Pundit Arena

iRadio and Pundit Arena are teaming up to work on the iScore show together. iScore is on-air every Saturday and Sunday from 4pm to 6pm, with coverage and analysis of the sports stories, as well as an in-depth look behind the headlines. iScore presenter Caradh O’Donovan keeps listeners up to date with the day’s fixtures, chats to a mix of sporting stars and gets expert opinion and insight from a host of Pundit Arena’s top journalists...

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! ...