Ireland

KFC has been announced as the new title sponsor of Dave Moore’s weekday show on Today FM.

The partnership, brokered by Media Central, will see KFC feature across the 9am to 12pm programme through sponsorship stings, on-air promotions and digital activity across the station.
With more than 30 restaurants nationwide, KFC says the collaboration provides a perfect opportunity to connect with listeners across Ireland and highlight its menu of lunchtime favourites.
Dave said he was delighted with the new partnership: “I am so excited to team up with KFC. Adding all of these ingredients to the existing menu of great fun, huge tunes and almighty craic on my radio show is a winning combo and I know the listeners can’t wait to tuck in.”

KFC Ireland’s Brand Manager, Casey Refault, said the sponsorship was a strong match for the brand. “Dave Moore’s fun-packed programme is full of laughs and great music, making it a perfect fit for our brand,” she said. “Our sponsorship will get listeners’ appetites ready for lunch as we highlight new menu items and lunchtime favourites.”
Ross McDonnell, Sponsorship Director at Media Central, added that KFC’s involvement would bring fresh energy to the show: “Dave’s show and KFC are a great fit and we’re looking forward to working closely with Core and KFC to activate the partnership across the year.”
Dave Moore on Today FM attracts 198,000 listeners each week and remains one of the station’s most listened-to programmes.

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Bauer Media Audio Ireland has appointed Andy Matthews as Managing Editor, Music and Metro.
In his new role, Andy will lead audience growth for Dublin’s 98FM and Cork’s Red FM, while overseeing the music strategy for all Bauer stations and digital audio services in Ireland. His focus will be on ensuring the music mix across brands is audience-focused, data-informed and aligned with Bauer’s evolving digital ambitions.
Andy is a highly experienced radio executive with over 30 years in programming, content strategy and talent development. He was previously Managing Director of Triple M Media, providing consultancy to leading radio stations across Ireland, the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
His earlier career included senior programming roles at FM104 and 98FM, where he developed award-winning shows and helped guide 98FM to become Dublin’s number one music station. Andy also achieved notable audience growth during his time with Classic Hits and later founded Airserv and RadioBox, delivering in-store music and advertising for major retail brands.
Andy said he was “excited to join Bauer Media Audio Ireland and to work with such talented and passionate teams,” adding that he looked forward to “helping shape the next chapter for these incredible stations and exploring new opportunities for music streams.”
Liam Thompson, Group Operations Director at Bauer Media Audio Ireland, said Andy “brings an incredible level of experience and expertise to the new Metro and Music role,” adding that the company is eager for him to bring his “strategic and audience-focused view” to 98FM, Red FM and Bauer’s wider music services.
Andy Matthews will take up his new role on 3 November. […]

Bay Broadcasting has completed its acquisition of Galway Bay FM, following full approval from the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan.

The move adds the Galway-based station to Bay’s growing portfolio, which already includes Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8, making it the largest Irish-owned radio group in the country.
Bay Broadcasting CEO Kevin Branigan said the group was proud to bring Galway Bay FM into its family of stations. “Galway Bay FM is a terrific station with an outstanding team and a legacy that’s unmatched in Irish local radio. Its heritage as the voice of Galway is something we deeply respect and are proud to help sustain.”
Kevin Branigan
The station, which began in 1989 as Radio West before becoming Galway Bay FM in 1993, has been a fixture of west of Ireland broadcasting for more than three decades. It reaches 132,000 listeners each week and is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s most trusted local stations.
As part of the transition, Bay Broadcasting has confirmed two senior appointments: Fionnuala Rabbitt as Chief Executive Officer and Keith Finnegan as Chairman of the Board.
Fionnuala, who began her career at Galway Bay FM and most recently worked with Highland Radio in Donegal, said returning home was “truly special”. She added: “Galway Bay FM is part of the fabric of this region, and I look forward to working with the team to build on that heritage.”

Outgoing CEO Cormac O’Halloran welcomed the change, describing the takeover as a positive step for the station’s future. He praised Fionnuala’s appointment, saying she brings “a vast amount of experience and knowledge of radio to the role.”
Keith, who worked at the station for over thirty years before stepping down in 2023, said he was “proud to take on the role of Chairman at such an exciting time for the station.”
Departing shareholders, led by Chairman Peter Allen, said they were confident Bay Broadcasting would “continue to nurture and grow the station’s deep connection with Galway and the wider region.”
The acquisition was made possible following a £3.7 million follow-on investment from Duke Capital to Bay’s parent company, Step Investments.
Neil Johnson, CEO of Duke Capital, said the investment supports Bay’s continued growth: “Galway Bay FM is a natural addition to Bay’s existing radio portfolio, and this transaction is another example of how Duke’s flexible capital can help long-standing partners like Step grow through acquisitions.”
Mike Ormonde, CEO of Step Investments, added: “Galway Bay FM has been the voice of Galway for over three decades. With Bay’s experienced management team, we see a clear opportunity to strengthen its commercial performance, broaden its reach and move Bay into the position of being the second largest commercial radio group in Ireland.”
Duke Capital has supported Step for more than seven years, bringing its total credit financing in the company to £15.2 million. Step’s wider media interests include cinema and digital outdoor advertising across the UK and Ireland. […]

Katja Mia will make her radio debut this Saturday 18 October as she takes over 2FM’s weekend morning show, standing in for Bláthnaid Treacy.

The broadcaster, known for her TV presenting work, will host 2FM Weekend Morning with Katja Mia every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 12 noon.
Listeners can expect upbeat music, lively features such as the What’s Wrong With Ye Quiz, and prize giveaways including the Pamper Hamper.
Katja said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be making my radio debut on the RTÉ 2FM airways. It’s always been a dream of mine to work on radio and this opportunity has come at a perfect time in my career where I feel I’ve built up a great amount of presenting experience through TV.”
She added that she’s looking forward to “meeting the team” and hopes to bring “an extra bit of sparkle and fun” to listeners’ weekends.
Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, said Katja will be covering Bláthnaid’s leave for the next six months. “Katja is one of the new seriously talented Irish stars and we’re thrilled to announce that she will be on air on 2FM,” he said.
He added that Saturday and Sunday mornings are “hugely important” to the station and he’s confident Katja will bring “her own unique style and energy” to the slot.
The appointment forms part of 2FM’s refreshed line-up designed to showcase new voices, strong entertainment, and a mix of Irish and new music.

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The Irish radio industry will come together in Cork early next year for a landmark two-day conference marking a century since the first Irish radio broadcast.
Hosted by University College Cork (UCC) on 29 and 30 January 2026, the event is organised by UCC History in partnership with Coimisiún na Meán and supported by RTÉ and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI).
Industry leaders, academics and broadcasters will gather to explore radio’s role in Irish life through keynote speeches, panels and archive presentations. An Taoiseach Mícheál Martin will open the conference alongside representatives from Coimisiún na Meán and UCC.
Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio at RTÉ, will deliver the keynote address. A series of themed panels will follow, including discussions on talk radio and current affairs featuring Matt Cooper, PJ Coogan and Sarah McInerney, and the role of music and language in shaping Irish radio with John Creedon and others.
A panel on women in radio will be led by Doireann Ní Bhriain, joined by Patricia Messenger and Dr Rosemary Day, while sports presenters Jacqui Hurley and Trevor Welsh will take part in a discussion on sport on the airwaves. Other sessions include a focus on Irish-language broadcasting, the impact of Sound and Vision funding, and a look at the future of broadcasting featuring Bauer Media’s Ruth Fitzsimmons.
The programme also includes a presentation on the RTÉ Audio Archives by Brid Dooley and the launch of a special edition of the Irish Communications Review dedicated to 100 years of Irish radio.
Conference convenor Dr Finola Doyle O’Neill said the event would celebrate radio’s enduring impact while looking ahead to its future in an evolving media landscape.
More information and registration details are available at broadcast-to-podcast-conference-2026.com
Photo: Dr Finola Doyle O’Neill – Broadcast and Legal Historian, School of History, University College Cork (organiser), Patricia Monahan – Director of Audio RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst – DG RTÉ, Clare Diamond – Coimisiún na Meán Director of Broadcasting & VoD, Matt Cooper – Broadcaster at Today FM, Aoife Mac Evilly – Coimisiún na Meán Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner, Michael Kelly – Chief Executive of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland. […]

Coimisiún na Meán has opened the first round of its new Media Skills and Development Programme, offering up to €550,000 in funding for training, learning and development in Ireland’s media sector.
The scheme replaces the long-running Sectoral Learning and Development Programme and reflects An Coimisiún’s wider role in supporting a sustainable, diverse and participative media landscape.
Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said the initiative would help the sector adapt to new technologies and audience needs. “Continued upskilling and reskilling is crucial to facilitate the innovation necessary to enable the media sector to adapt to emerging technologies and meet the needs of audiences,” he said. “This new Programme aims to support activities that maximise impact and encourage cooperation, collaboration and partnership.”
Funding will continue to support community media, commercial radio, Irish language media and diversity initiatives, as well as training to address skills shortages or provide professional development opportunities.
Previous recipients of similar funding include CRAOL, Oireachtas na Gaeilge, Cultural and Creative Industries Skillsnet, GORM Media, Learning Waves and Women in Film and Television.
Applications close at midday on 10 November 2025, and full details including policy and application forms are available on the Coimisiún na Meán website at cnam.ie
**Excerpt version:**Coimisiún na Meán launches €550,000 fund to boost training, learning and development across Ireland’s media sector

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