Radio News

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...

Beat 102 103 rewards unsung heroes in November

Beat 102 103 has continued its Feel Good Friday Fairy promotion as Shonagh Lyons surprised some unsung heroes in the South East. This year Beat has honoured three Waterford unsung heroes, along with a teacher from Tipperary on four consecutive Fridays. Week 1 began with Ann Condron, the Ballybeg Mammy, from Waterford. Ann works in Tesco in Ballybeg and she was nominated by her co-worker, Orla, who says “There is one lady who has been a bit of a hero for us all and her name in Ann Condron.” Week 2 introduced listeners to Jane Donegan, a teacher from Tipperary. Jane was nominated by her best friend, Sarah, who says “she is the kindest, caring and most-loving person I know.” ...

Beat 102-103 introduce presenter to digital station

Beat 102-103 are introducing Waterford-based drag queen Joanna Ryde to their digital station, Noughty Beats. The service launched in 2018 as one of ten online-only channels on the Irish RadioPlayer app. Ryde will present a new two hour programme, Pride Beats, every Friday from 8pm. Gabrielle Cummins, CEO of Beat 102-103, said: “Digital listening for Beat 102-103 and its digital only station Noughty Beats has exploded during COVID-19. When we compare [digital] audience listening in October 2020 versus October 2019, we have seen a massive hike of 449% year-on-year.”...

Official switch on date announced for Christmas FM

Christmas FM is back for another year of festive cheer from midday on Saturday 28th November 2020. The temporary station wants to “Give the Gift of Home” this year by raising over €200,000 which will go directly to ALONE, a fitting charity partner considering it’s been such a difficult year for our older population. Christmas FM will be celebrating its 13th year on air this year and, since it began broadcasting, has raised almost €2.5 million for a range of charities. The costs of running Christmas FM are covered by various sponsors, ensuring that all on-air fundraising and listener donations will go directly to ALONE...

Patricia Messinger celebrates 30 years on the radio

Cork radio presenter Patricia Messinger is celebrating 30 years on air in the city this week. Patricia started broadcasting on County Sound, now C103, on the 15th November 1990 with the Cork Today show. Over the years she has dealt with many stories good and bad, sad and happy, and built up a loyal following along the way. C103 held a special Cork Today Show to mark her honour of reaching 30 years in the same show and same time slot. Ryan Tubridy of RTÉ dropped in with his congrats message as did the two other Cork chat show hosts PJ Coogan of 96FM and Neil Prendeville of RedFM...