Ireland

Coimisiún na Meán has published its Guidelines in Respect of Broadcast Coverage of Elections.
The Guidelines provide direction and advice to broadcasters as to how fairness, objectivity and impartiality can be achieved in their coverage of elections.
The Guidelines are being published in advance of the General Election, scheduled to take place on Friday, 29 November. The Guidelines come into effect from today, Monday 11 November apply to coverage of the elections until the closing of polling stations on 29 November.
Speaking about the publication of the Guidelines, Coimisiún na Meán’s Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner Aoife MacEvilly said: “Elections and electoral integrity are a key focus for us at Coimisiún na Meán this year. Broadcasters play a central role in how people are informed during election periods and therefore they must ensure that all news and current affairs programming is fair, objective and impartial. The publication of the election guidelines today will aid broadcasters in their approach to programming during election periods and will help them to ensure their coverage is open and transparent. The guidelines are designed to help broadcasters meet their obligations.”
“Alongside these guidelines, we have published a Candidate Information Pack to provide information for candidates standing for election in Ireland and what they can do if they experience harm online. We are also engaging with online platforms to ensure that they play their part in upholding electoral integrity and ensuring that people across Ireland can make free, fair and informed choices about where to cast their vote.”
These Guidelines see the replacement of the Broadcast Moratorium with an Additional Care Requirement for broadcasters during the Critical Election Period. This decision follows a review of the Moratorium conducted by Coimisiún na Meán. This review included an examination of electoral silence periods in other countries, a survey of attitudes conducted with Ipsos B&A and a public consultation.
As well as providing advice on the new Additional Care Requirement, the Guidelines also advise that during polling hours, broadcasters should not feature speculation on the outcome of the election, including the coverage of opinion polls or exit polls, until the voting has concluded.
Broadcasters are also reminded of the requirements to achieve a fair allocation of airtime during election coverage, the prohibition on political advertisements and the requirement to have in place policies and procedures for handling on-air contributions via social media and to mitigate the risks of AI-generated deepfakes.
These Guidelines also state that it is not appropriate for persons involved with ‘election interests’ to present programmes during the election campaign period – ‘election interests’ includes candidates for an election.
The updated Guidelines for Broadcast Coverage of Elections and the Code of Fairness Objectivity and Impartiality can be found on the Coimisiún na Meán websitecnam.ie. […]

The latest JNLR audience figures show that 3.862m adults tuned into Irish radio stations each week across the period of October 2023 to September 2024.
That equates to 89.7% of the Irish 15+ population tuning in on a weekly basis.
The research also shows that the average listener is listening for over 4 hours daily, highlighting the continued strength of radio in the Irish market.

79.5% of people aged over 15 years listen to radio each day (3,422,000)
89.7% of people over-15 listen to radio every week (3,862,000)
521,000 people listen to radio daily on smart speakers, computers, or via phone or TV, and this is growing among listeners aged 15-34.
On average listeners tune into more than one station per day and tune into just over 4.1 hours of live radio every day.
Irish radio has 13.9 million connections or followers across Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

A total of c 16,600 people were interviewed during the survey period by Ipsos B&A, on behalf of JNLR – Joint National Listenership Research – that is commissioned by all national, regional and local stations, AAI, IAPI and Coimisiún na Meán.
Around the stations
RTÉ Radio 1 remains the only radio service with a weekly reach of over +1 million, increasing by +2,000 YoY
RTÉ 2FM has a weekly reach figure of 762,000 of adults 15+, increasing by + 35,000 YoY but down on last quarter’s 791,000. It has lost listeners in both Breakfast (149,000 to 142,000 listeners) and Drive (157,000 to 145,000 listeners).
RTÉ lyric fm has 314,000 listeners on a weekly basis, increasing by +1,000 YoY

Radio Nova is celebrating its increase to 254,000 weekly listeners, making it the number one music radio station across the Dublin Commuter Belt region with audience increases for almost all programmes on the station.
Newstalk’s national market share at 8.5% is up .9% YoY. Weekly reach for the station performed strongly at 861,000, up 39,000 YoY.
The Pat Kenny Show remains the most listened to show on commercial radio with 241,000 listeners tuning in daily.
Newstalk also retains its status as the second most listened to radio station in the country every day with 508,000 listeners, up 42,000 YoY.
Today FM‘s weekly reach of 973,000 is down from 988,000 last quarter, but represents a lift of 14,000 in the last year.
Ian Dempsey now commands the largest audience on Today FM with a listenership of 209,000. Meantime, Ray Foley wins the afternoons with an audience boost to 169,000, an increase of 14,000 since the last results.
Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio has scored its highest daily and weekly listenership in its 15 year history today. The multi-city station now boasts 382,000 weekly listener and has broken through the 200,000 mark on daily listenership. The station has also shown a 13% increase in market share to 5.4%.
In additional to daily, weekly and market share growth, the station has also experienced strong growth in its daytime schedule, with its breakfast show, ‘Colm & Lucy in the Morning’ adding 10,000 listeners to 78,000, Classic Hits with Trina Mara increasing by 10,000 to 90,000 and Damien Farrelly in the Afternoon by 8,000 to 88,000 daily listeners.
98FM delivered increases on all key audience metrics including a 0.7% increase on Market Share to 5.5%.
5,000 more people now start their day with 98FM’s Big Breakfast with Rebecca and Brendan, reaching 42,000 listeners. Brian Dowling and Suzanne Kane also increased its audience by 5,000 to 38,000.
SPIN 1038 recorded a daily reach of 143,000 in Dublin and continues to lead in 15-34 year olds. SPIN1038’s flagship breakfast show Fully Charged with Emma, Dave and Aisling, is up 11,000 in the last year to an audience of 59,000.
SPIN South West has 150,000 listeners each week. Fully Charged with Ed and Valerie stands at 30,000 listeners while SPIN Hits with Michaela Hayes has increased audience to 38,000.
Red FM continues to dominate the Cork market, with a share of 20.7% and a weekly reach of 174,000.
The biggest commercial radio show in Cork is The Neil Prendeville Show with 78,000 listeners (up 3,000).
Red FM Breakfast with KC reaches 50,000 listeners while Ciara Revins lunchtime show reaches 64,000 listeners.
The newest addition to the Bauer Media Audio Ireland portfolio holds a 14.6% market share in the South East, up .6% since the last results. Beat Breakfast now stands at 50,000 listeners (up 3,000) while Beat Drive now attracts an audience of 44,000.
iRadio now holds an 8.1% market share, up 1% over the last year with a weekly reach of 344,000. Dave and Fionnuala have recorded an audience of 83,000, up 9,000 in the last year.
Wireless Ireland’s urban media network of stations now reaches 978,000 adults every week according to the research released today.
In Dublin, Wireless Ireland’s Q102 grew weekly reach by 22,000 year on year to 188,000, while FM104 also increased year on year to 260,000 listeners.
In addition, the combined Cork stations 96fm and C103 offering delivers weekly reach of 218,000, Limerick Live 95 delivers 92,000, while LMFM has 111,000 weekly listeners.
Partner stations Galway Bay FM and WLR also both showed growth with Galway Bay FM adding an additional 18,000 listeners year on year to reach 129,000 weekly and WLR reaching 65,000 listeners.
Quotes
Michael Kelly, Chief Executive of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, commented: “Independent radio stations are delighted with the results of the latest research. This is welcome proof of the strength of radio as a medium, which is highly-trusted and valued by Irish listeners. Radio is free to access, and has a unique connection to listeners. It is responsive, interactive, and flexible for advertisers and listeners. Radio delivers news and current affairs, music and entertainment, sports coverage, information and much more. Most importantly, it provides companionship to millions of listeners in Ireland.”
Nova’s Kevin Branigan, said, “The latest JNLR ratings are out and it’s been an astonishing book for Radio Nova. Not only have we now exceed a quarter of a million listeners, we are now the the Number One music radio staiton in the entire Dublin Commuter Belt. Also, pretty much all of our programmes have increased in audience, showing that more and more people enjoy our seriously addictive music and presenters. We’re so proud that so many people enjoy listening to what we do and we never forget the loyalty of everyone that listens”.
As Chief Executive of Classic Hits, Kevin added: “It’s great day for us here! Our total listenership has increased, yet again, with 382,000 people now listening to us across the country, our highest ever figure. We’ve also increased our share of radio listening and pretty every one of our day time shows from Colm & Lucy in the Morning right through to Nighttime Talks with Niall Boylan has increased considerably. We’re delighted to be the home of the 80s and 90s for more and more people than ever before! Thank you to all of our listeners in Dublin, Cork, Limerick Galway, Clare and further afield – for listening to Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio.
Bauer Media Audio Ireland CEO Chris Doyle said: “We are thrilled for Bauer to reach this historic milestone, becoming the largest radio group by audience in Ireland. The achievement is a result of the dedication, creativity, and hard work of our entire team.
“Thanks also to our partners and clients for your continued trust and support, we look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional value and innovative solutions that drive success.”
Mark Simpson, deputy managing editor of Newstalk said: ‘We’re happy to see that Newstalk remains the most listened to daily talk station of choice for 20-44 year olds in Ireland, a real indication that our strategy of delivering a broad range of engaging, informative and compelling conversations that reflect what our audience are talking about, is working. The Pat Kenny Show remains the No.1 commercial show on Irish radio and we are delighted that Pat leads our team into the busy election period ahead as one of the country’s most respected and trusted broadcasters.
On the latest figures Ray Foley said: “This is frankly absolutely ridiculous, that we have managed to get away with this for 538 shows. That anyone is listening at all is mind boggling, but 169,000 pairs of ears? That’s just daft! I’m so happy and proud. Thanks for listening”
Fyona Smith, Managing Editor of Today FM said: “Todays FM’s results provide moments of celebration and highlight areas for even greater impact. We’re energised by the opportunities ahead to continue connecting with our audience and driving results as well as in class entertainment across all shows, even higher. With Ray Foley welcoming huge audiences to afternoon’s, we’re excited to connect with even more listeners and elevate our entertainment across all programs.’”
Sean Barry, Managing Director of Wireless Ireland said: “Audio is in a very exciting place in Ireland right now and our strong audience numbers across our markets highlight the important role our brands are playing in Ireland’s key urban centres.
“Today’s figures, alongside a very successful RAJAR performance from our Belfast based station U105 last month, gives us a very strong base from which to launch exciting new initiatives in 2025.
“We’re also very happy to see then continuing audience growth on Q102 where the addition of Ryan Tubridy to the schedule has added listeners across the board.”
Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio, RTÉ said: “We are very proud that more than 2 million people choose to engage with our stations every week underlining again the important role public service media plays in Irish life. RTÉ broadcasts 17 of the top 20 radio programmes in Ireland across a wide variety of genres including News and Current Affairs, Music and Entertainment, and Sport.
RTÉ Radio 1 remains the only station with a weekly reach of over 1 million listeners, with gains of 2,000 listeners year-on-year. RTÉ 2FM has a weekly reach of 762,000, an increase of 35,000 year-on-year, and RTÉ lyric fm now reaches 314,000 listeners every week. As we head into a General Election campaign, our focus will continue to be on delivering trusted information and engaging content and to reflect the experiences of audiences across Ireland.” […]

Coimisiún na Méan has launched a funding round under its Sectoral Learning and Development Programme.

Up to €550,000 in total is being made available to support industry networks and representative organisations deliver a range of training and development activities for the forthcoming year, 2025.
Funding can be sought by organisations that work in the media sector and undertake training and development initiatives that support the broadcasting and audiovisual industries and align with An Coimisiún’s aim to ensure a thriving, diverse, creative and safe media landscape.
Levels of funding available to successful applicants will vary depending on the nature of the activities proposed, and their relevance to An Coimisiún’s work.
Commenting, Coimisiún na Meán’s Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said: “An Coimisiún is delighted to launch this funding round under our Sector Learning and Development Programme. Ongoing training and skills development is critical to ensuring the sustainability of the media sector and enhancing its growth, diversity and creativity.
“We recognise the valuable role organisations and representative bodies in the industry play in providing training and learning opportunities to those in the sector. Supporting such quality projects is a key part of our work and we look forward to seeing a wide range of proposals aiming to enrich our media landscape and support its continued development.”
Previous recipients of funding under the Sectoral Learning and Development Programme include: Learning Waves’ Journalism Graduate Programme, Women in Film and Television, CRAOL- which represents community radio, the Writers Guild of Ireland, and Oireachtas na Gaeilge.
The closing date for receipt of applications to the Programme is noon on Thursday, 5th December 2024. Further details on eligibility and how to apply can be found in the guide and application form. […]

Today FM is introducing five new shows to its evening line-up, starting tonight.
Each new show will bring a new genre of music, from chilled out tunes to country classics and 90s bangers to movie soundtracks.
Commenting on the launch of the new shows, Fyona Smith, Managing Editor of Today FM, said: “We’re excited to introduce our dynamic range of specialty music shows.
“These shows celebrate a variety of genres, bringing listeners even closer to the music they love. Our goal is to not forget about our audience listening late and introduce you to some of Ireland’s new and familiar presenters each evening.”
Here’s how the station are promoting the new shows:
TODAY FM CHILLED – MONDAYS 10PM-12AMToday FM Chilled, presented by Ciara Revins. From 10PM to midnight, Ciara brings you the acoustic gems, mellow melodies and the music you know and love, but all chilled-out. Whether you’re winding down, studying, or trying to sleep – relax and breathe with the sound of Today FM Chilled.
TODAY FM SOUNDTRACKS – TUESDAYS 10PM-12AMDara Quilty takes you on a screen and stage music adventure. Playing iconic movie soundtracks, from classic anthems, power ballads and film scores. Today FM Soundtracks celebrates the music you love from the screen to the stage.
TODAY FM COUNTRY HITS – WEDNESDAYS 10PM-12AMThe fastest growing music genre in the world right now will live on Today FM every Wednesday night. From 10pm-Midnight, presented by one of Ireland’s rising country star’s – Clodagh Lawlor, tune in for the freshest country hits & those country classics you already know and love.
TODAY FM 90s – THURSDAYS 10PM-12AMClaire Beck will be reliving the ultimate era of unforgettable beats and iconic anthems with the 90’s music you love. Claire will have you dancing, singing, and vibing to the best music from the decade that brought you influential grunge, unforgettable RNB, boy bands, girl bands and amazing one-hit wonders.
TODAY FM 80s – FRIDAYS 10PM-12AMJoin Steve K for Today FM 80s, your ultimate mixtape. Celebrating the decade that gave us big hair, synth-pop, new wave and power ballads. Iconic anthems non-stop, all the songs you still love that once only played on old cassettes tapes.
YESTERDAY FM FLOOR FILLERS – SATURDAYS 9PM-12AMRemember when your favourite song played, and you rushed to the dance floor? Every Saturday night from 9pm, Barry Dunne delivers Ireland the biggest hits you love as you sing-along and dance your way through the decades with Yesterday FM Floor Fillers.
TODAY FM ROCKS – SUNDAYS 10PM-12AMJoin Paula MacSweeney every Sunday evening as she brings you the very best bands, ballads and air-guitar anthems of rock. So, turn the volume to 100 and get ready to rock! […]

Coimisiún na Meán has replaced the Broadcast Moratorium with an Additional Care Requirement for broadcasters.
It will be relevant during the Critical Election Period – 24-hours before the opening of polling stations and during the period when polling occurs.
This decision follows a review of the Moratorium conducted by Coimisiún na Meán which commenced in February this year. This review included an examination of electoral silence periods in other countries, a survey of attitudes conducted with Ipsos B&A and a public consultation.
The new Additional Care Requirement, which replaces the Broadcast Moratorium, requires broadcasters to show additional care during the Critical Election Period.
During the Critical Election Period, broadcasters should treat with extreme care information relating to the election that it believes, or has reason to believe, has been circulated with the intention of misleading or confusing voters or that is likely to mislead or confuse voters.
The implementation of this additional care requirement is at the editorial discretion of the broadcaster. This may include the Broadcasters rebutting or correcting misconceptions arising from misleading information.
Speaking about the publication of the Guidelines, Coimisiún na Meán’s Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner Aoife MacEvilly said: “A media landscape that supports democracy and democratic values, underpins civic discourse and reduces the impact of disinformation is a priority for Coimisiún na Meán. During election periods, broadcasters across Ireland play a crucial role in informing the public about the issues and candidates involved in the election campaign.
The annual Reuters Digital News Report, which was published in June and is funded by Coimisiún na Meán, found that trust in news remains high in Ireland compared to other countries. We recognise the trust that Irish viewers and listeners place in broadcasters and our approach to the moratorium reflects Ireland’s changing media landscape.
Elections and electoral integrity are a key focus for us at Coimisiún na Meán this year. Alongside this new additional care approach for broadcasters, once the date of an election is confirmed, we will be publishing information for electoral candidates on our role in relation to broadcasting and online safety regulation, and how we can help them, alongside our guidelines for broadcasters. We will also engage with online platforms on their preparations for the elections, to ensure that they play their part in upholding electoral integrity and ensuring that people across Ireland can make free, fair and informed choices about where to cast their vote.’’
Broadcasters should also take additional care to ensure that opinions expressed by programme contributors do not interfere with the electoral process by making a false or misleading claim with respect to election procedures. Broadcasters are also asked not to report on opinion polls or exit polls during polling hours.
The new approach will be reflected in Coimisiún na Meán’s Guidelines in Respect of Broadcast Coverage of Elections, which will be published shortly after the date of the next election is announced. The Guidelines provide direction and advice to broadcasters as to how fairness, objectivity and impartiality can be achieved in their coverage of elections. […]

Former Virgin Media Television / TV3 News Southern Correspondent, Paul Byrne, is joining Cork’s 96FM.
Paul will be the new producer of the station’s daily talk show, The Opinion Line with P.J. Coogan.
The journalist will also present the show from time to time.
Father of two, Paul, is no stranger to radio as he started out in the medium at 14 years of age. He went on to work for Cork’s 96FM before moving into television.
Paul said he’s delighted to be returning to radio and joining the team at Cork’s 96FM: “Cork’s 96FMis part of Cork’s rich history and the station’s mix of local topics, news and music is what has made it the success it is today.”
Local Content Controller for Cork’s 96FM and C103, Brendan O’Driscoll said “Paul is bringing a wealth of experience to the team at Cork’s 96FM. His passion for human interest stories is unwavering and he is renowned for his ability to get the best from people who want to tell their story.”
Paul starts his new role on Monday 4th November 2024 and will join the team of Senior Producer, Fergal Barry and presenter P.J. Coogan. […]