Radio News

New News and Sport Editor at WLR FM

WLR FM has appointed Julie Smyth as its new News and Sports Editor. The Tramore woman began her career with the BBC and has recently taken over the position with station. Julie will be responsible for day to day management of the station’s news and sports output, implementing the station’s strategy, and identifying and training new talent. She will also be in charge of evolving the news and sport offering to maximise listenership growth in news and current affairs programming. Announcing the news this week the Managing Director of WLR FM, Des Whelan, said the company was delighted to announce the appointment...

Phil Cawley to present drive on South East Radio

Phil Cawley is joining South East Radio on weekday afternoons from Monday, 7th September. He will take over 3-6pm on the Wexford station, marking his return to presenting full-time. Cawley told RadioToday that the deal was “done and dusted one week before lockdown,” but the pandemic pushed back his start date. This isn’t Cawley’s first time on the station, having presented their afternoon show in the 1990s. “They are a super bunch with a great team. I can’t wait to get back there,” he said...

WLR FM helps raise €16,000 for mental health charity

An event supported and driven by WLR FM in aid of mental health charity Suicide or Survive has raised €16,000. This year’s Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Cycle was due to take place on Easter Sunday, however the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 saw the organisers having to rethink their usual approach. Cycle organiser Liam Brazil joined forces with WLR FM to initiate an online cycle challenge, namely ‘Cycle for SOS’, whereby people could partake in a 20 km cycle from their homes, in keeping with the imposed travel restrictions. The event was supported and driven by WLR FM, and via social media platforms...

Claire Byrne to host Today on RTÉ Radio 1

Claire Byrne is the new presenter of RTÉ Radio 1’s mid-morning ‘Today’ programme, starting next Monday at 10am. Sarah McInerney, current host of the slot, will remain with RTÉ but details of where she will appear in the schedule are yet to be released. “I am truly delighted, honoured and humbled to be taking on this new role at RTÉ Radio 1,” Claire commented today. The television presenter, known for Claire Byrne Live, has previously worked at BBC Radio, East Coast Radio, Channel 103 in Jersey and Newstalk...

Luke O’Faolain joins Nova for Sunday show

Luke O’Faolain is returning to Nova for a Sunday show from 2-6pm. It is five years since he was last heard on the station, having worked as their on-air movie reviewer for almost two years. Speaking with RadioToday, O’Faolain says, “I’m delighted to be getting back on air. I’ve really missed it. The music Radio Nova plays is absolutely fantastic. A bit of Bowie, sprinkle of Foo Fighters! I’m looking forward to hearing what people are up to on their Sundays as well. “That’s probably what I’ve missed the most. The ability to be part of peoples lives is what makes radio so special.” ...

Ciara Kelly moves to Breakfast in new Newstalk schedule

It’s all change at Newstalk as the Communicorp station announces a new weekday schedule from August 31st. Ciara Kelly, who has presented Newstalk’s Lunchtime Live for nearly three years, will join Shane Coleman as the new co-anchor on Newstalk Breakfast. Kieran Cuddihy trades early mornings for evening drivetime as the new presenter of The Hard Shoulder and Andrea Gilligan is announced as the new host of Lunchtime Live. Newstalk’s Managing Editor, Patricia Monahan, said:“I am delighted to reveal our new weekday schedule which brings a wide range of expertise to the airwaves and a presenter line up which has direct experience of the issues that impact our listeners...

Deadline nears for IMRO Radio Awards 2020

With just over 24 hours till the closing date for this year’s IMRO Radio Awards, we catch up with Chair of Judges Peter McPartlin and Keith Johnson from IMRO. Make sure to submit your entry by 5pm Thursday to be part of it. RadioToday: Radio has been at the heart of the nation during COVID-19 lockdown, what do you predict we will see in the 2020 entries – trends, content etc Peter: “I think we’re likely to see a lot of stations use the opportunity of the awards to demonstrate the initiatives that they put in place to keep listeners informed and connected throughout the pandemic and also how the managed with their staff to keep a fully-fledged service on-air even though many of them were working remotely. Awards entries are a perfect way in which the strength of our radio network can be shown during times like this.”...

Jim-Jim and Nobby ban Lady Gaga’s latest hit

Strawberry Alarm Clock hosts Jim-Jim and Nobby have declared that Lady Gaga’s hit ‘Rain On Me’ is banned from FM104 until the weather cleared up a little. The ban comes after listeners voted the song as their favourite summer song over the last decade. “We went from BBQ weather to umbrella weather in a matter of days. We miss sitting out the back sunning ourselves with a bag of cans, we miss the BBQs and we miss the good drying!” said Jim-Jim. Nobby added: “We’ve decided to pull the song from our playlist for a few days to see if it will stop raining. From Thursday morning at 9am until Monday morning at 8am you WON’T hear ‘Rain on Me’ on FM104. If you do hear it, we ask that you whatsapp, Instagram, tweet or facebook us to let us know!”...

RTÉ refuses to air television advert for Newstalk

Communicorp Media has accused RTÉ of double standards after refusing to air an advert for its national speech station Newstalk. The radio group has called on Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin TD, to take action to drive reform of RTÉ. Communicorp says RTÉ told them it will not run the advert on-air but has already allowed it to run on the RTÉ Player. The advertisement to promote The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk was submitted to RTÉ on Friday 3rd July for broadcast on TV. Confirmation of its refusal was received by Newstalk yesterday, July 7th...

Christmas FM returns for one day in July

Festival radio station Christmas FM is preparing to broadcast online this week for one day only. It will be live from 7am till midnight on Thursday, 9th July 2020. The station wants to hear about “Christmas Magic Moments” from listeners. Sharing on the Christmas FM Instagram gives them a chance of winning one of five €100 One4All gift cards. Christmas fans can enter by following Christmas FM on Instagram and sending a video, photo or audio clip telling the station about a “Christmas Magic Moments”...