Radio News

Communicorp Media suspends advertising on Facebook

Communicorp Media is to suspend all paid advertising for its brands on Facebook platforms for the month of July, in support of the “Stop Hate for Profit” campaign. The suspension is in solidarity with the growing number of global and domestic advertisers taking a stand against the failure of Facebook to control the publication of hateful and misleading content on its platforms. Commenting on the move, Communicorp Media Group CEO Adrian Serle said: “Communicorp Media is committed to the promotion of equality and inclusion. We are taking this stand to send a message to Facebook to do better and be better...

Bauer targets listeners and advertisers in ROI

Bauer Media Northern Ireland has enabled online listening across the whole island. For the first time, Republic of Ireland consumers will be able to listen live (or listen later) to Cool FM, Downtown Radio and Downtown Country through its branded mobile apps, on computer and on smart speaker. Recently appointed Managing Director of Bauer Media NI, David Tighe, believes the move is a key development for the stations: “We’ve been clear that we are keen to explore opportunities across the Island-wide market and this marks another important step forward for our business,” said David...

New sponsor for Today with Sarah McInerney on Radio 1

RTÉ Radio 1’s Today with Sarah McInerney has a new sponsor from today as Hidden Hearing joins for the summer. Sarah McInerney has been the host of the show since May and has been praised for being “forensic, relentless and fierce” since then. The summer sponsorship consists of 6 x 10” sponsor credited stings per day and 7 x sponsor credited promos across the RTÉ Radio 1 Schedule per week, as well as homepage and podcast sponsorship. The sponsorship deal was brokered by Initiative. Tara Farrell, Radio & Audio Sponsorship Manager, RTÉ Media Sales commented: ...

Today FM hosts virtual concerts during the summer

Today FM listeners will now be able to experience ‘Virtually Live’ concerts for an hour a week every Saturday night. The gigs will feature artists which have plans to perform in Ireland this year but were cancelled due to coronavirus and the restrictions on mass gatherings. From the upbeat anthems of Dua Lipa, to the dulcet tones of Dermot Kennedy straight through to throwback hits from Green Day, every weekend for 13 weeks, Today FM will dedicate an hour of its Saturday night schedule to broadcast live music from a list of specially chosen artists...

IMRO Radio Awards go virtual for 2020

There’ll be no gala dinner in Kilkenny this year for the IMRO Radio Awards due to the coronavirus, but the event will still go ahead online. Full details of the virtual event will be announced in the coming weeks but entries are opening today with a closing date of 5pm on Thursday 23rd July 2020. Main sponsor IMRO remains, along with secondary sponsor the BAI. There will be some changes to the event though, including the introduction of the Gay Byrne Award which was previously the Newcomer award. A new Podcast of the Year category will also be awarded for the first time...

All 32 applications for BAI scheme granted cash

The BAI has given a total of €2.5m to 32 independent commercial radio stations across the country to share awareness and understanding of COVID-19. The special funding initiative was operated by the BAI under the BAI’s Sound & Vision 4 Scheme, following a request from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, TD. Funding recommendations range from €40,000 to €95,000. Successful projects include: ...

iRadio to share a €40,000 iGrant with businesses

Twenty businesses have been chosen as shared winners of iRadio’s €40,000 iGrant prize. The successful applicants have been selected by an independent expert judging panel including former Ireland international rugby player and businessman Jamie Heaslip. Each iGrant recipient will receive a €2,000 advertising package from iRadio. When iRadio initially announced the iGrant competition in February it was earmarked as a €20,000 prize to be awarded to one business...

Annie Mac: ‘I'm happy in chaos and noise’

Annie Mac is not your average DJ. Through her Radio 1 show and hit podcast, she has championed new music and is not afraid to tackle grittier subjects such as misogyny in rap and knife crime. Laura Snapes finds out what drives her and the secret of her self-confidence. Annie Mac is busy doing her homework when I reach her by video one morning in early May. She’s due to give her weekly “rave lesson” on fellow BBC Radio 1 presenter Nick Grimshaw’s teatime show (today’s subject: the week-long Castlemorton party of 1992). I had wondered if these lessons were a sneaky way of teaching teenagers how to kickstart parties in the wreckage of...

Here’s what Radio Nova looks like during Lockdown

Like all radio stations, Radio Nova is classed as an essential service, but most of the programmes are being made at home. So what does it look like in the office? The station has made a video for Radiodays Europe, featuring Colm Hayes, Lucy Kennedy, Dee Woods, Marty Miller & Pat Cortenay. See it for yourself below: ...

East Coast FM introduces weekly coronavirus show

A new Saturday morning show on East Coast FM called The Covid Call with Declan Meehan is starting this weekend. It’ll aim to help vulnerable groups in society, such as cancer patients/survivors, the elderly & those with disabilities, for an hour at 9am. Declan will speak with the people directly affected, how they’re coping, advice from medical professionals, how to access support services and tips on protecting their mental health during the crisis. This Show will raise awareness on how people can access online support, be it through Zoom meditation classes, psychological support, helplines open to them...