Ireland

Over €330,000 has been awarded by Coimisiún na Meán to media events and activities for 2025.
In the latest round of the Sponsorship Scheme, 32 successful applications include festivals supporting animation, film and television, seminars and conferences, and awards recognising journalism and the creativity of Ireland’s audiovisual and broadcasting industries.
Radio Days Ireland has also been awarded money to operate its conference next month in Dublin, whilst University College Cork has money to produce Broadcast to Podcast: 100 years of Radio in the Republic of Ireland.
Commenting on the launch of the new Sponsorship Scheme round, Coimisiún na Meán Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said: “Coimisiún na Meán is committed to developing a media landscape which reflects and shapes who we are as a society.
“We believe that a vibrant, well-funded media sector is crucial to ensure that Irish audiences get to enjoy the best of Irish media.
“Our Sponsorship Scheme allows us to play an important role in supporting a wide range of media events and activities across the island of Ireland, that reflect the diversity of Irish society and recognise the creativity and innovation in media today.
“I am delighted to announce the successful applicants for our Sponsorship Scheme for 2025, and we look forward to another year of exciting events and activities which strengthen Ireland’s media landscape.’’

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The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland has welcomed the Programme for Government which acknowledges and pledges action on crucial areas for independent radio.
The Programme says the Government will:
• Ensure “accessible funding for local radio and print media to support the provision of objective news and current affairs content”.
• Review the Sound and Vision Scheme to support broadcasters and “make it easier to access and ensure proportionate and accessible funding for independent radio”.
• Strengthen the Local Democracy and Court Reporting Schemes “to ensure they are meeting their intended objectives”.
• Explore options “to maintain access to local and commercial radio”.
Michael Kelly, Chief Executive of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, has issued the following statement on the move:
“The Programme sets a positive foundation for us to engage with the new Media Minister, and we will be rolling up our sleeves and working constructively with the Minister and the Government to action the Programme’s policies dealing with our sector.
“The document promises to ensure supports for the independent radio sector are proportionate and accessible, and that is essential.
“The Media section of the Programme provides a strong basis for positively and constructively progressing key issues to ensure a strong independent radio sector. We very much look forward to an early meeting with the new Minister to progress the policies as soon as possible,” he added.
“We are very grateful to all of those who were involved in negotiating and putting together the Programme for Government for seeing the need to address major issues facing independent radio.
“We will now work together with Government to help ensure the actions are delivered, and to put in place measures needed to ensure a more level playing-field in the media sector.
“He noted that the Programme states that “independent media, both nationally and locally, performs a vital public service”. […]

The Home of Innovation is the new title sponsor of The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM.
The sponsorship, which was secured by Media Central, will see the home appliance provider become an integral part of The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show through stings, promotions and cross station digital display.
Commenting on the new partnership, Ian Dempsey said: “We’re all delighted here in Today FM towers to welcome The Home of Innovation onboard as title sponsor of The Breakfast Show for 2025.
“A lot of our listeners tune in to the show in their kitchens every morning as they eat their breakfast, get the morning headlines and pack up for the day ahead so to have a sponsor that’s an expert in kitchens and home appliances, we feel, is a perfect match for us.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with The Home of Innovation and we fully expect our early bird listeners to love the new partnership as well.”
Commenting on the sponsorship Maeve McCarey, Head of Marketing at BSH Ireland said: “We are very excited to come on board as title sponsors of the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show. At the Home of Innovation, we show you the leading kitchen appliance brands, Bosch, Siemens and NEFF. Brands that value and encourage quality – with innovative and sustainable kitchen appliances – that are designed for healthy and comfortable living. We look forward to the year ahead and bringing our knowledge and expertise to Ian’s listeners.
Sponsorship Director of Media Central, Ross McDonnell said: “There’s few names as well known on Irish Radio as Ian Dempsey and we’re delighted to welcome the Home of Innovation as new title sponsors of the show. Working closely with OMD and Bosch we’re especially looking forward to activating the partnership across the year, allowing Ian to inform his huge listenership all that the Home of Innovation has to offer.”

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Classic Hits 80s is back on FM for the third year running.
The station is broadcasting to Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway & Clare for 30 days from December 28th under a temporary radio licence from Coimisiún na Meán using some of the FM frequencies operated by Christmas FM.
This year, Rick Dees will return to the station’s lineup to bring his Weekly Top 40 radio show from the 1980s as well as Lucy Kennedy, Colm Hayes, Trina Mara, Damien Farrelly and many more.
Classic Hits 80s will give a taste of the greatest decade in music to Irish radio listeners, with the station ‘Living in the 80’s’, travelling back in time and presenting the 80s it is the present day so that listeners can live in the 1980s once again.
Those tuning in will hear news stories from the 1980s broadcast as live across the day and can join regular presenters from Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio such as Lucy Kennedy, Colm Hayes, Damian Farrelly, Trina Mara, Phil Cawley, Dave MacCardle, Nikki Manley and Jen Larke as well as radio presenters Matt Dempsey, Bob Conway, Mike O’Brien, Paul McGuinness, Declan Ralph, Mel Byrne and more.
Classic Hits 80s has been put together by Matt Dempsey (Station Manager), Dave Kelly (Consultant), Robbie Fogarty (Music) and Kevin Branigan.
Matt Dempsey says, “I’m delighted to be involved in such an exciting project once again , working with great people and reliving a great decade of music. Reaction from listeners in Dublin , Cork Limerick and Galway has been incredible over the last 2 years”.
CEO Kevin Branigan says, “We’re very excited to be returning on FM with Classic Hits 80s for a third year. We’ve put a lot of effort into it for this year and our mix of nostalgia, great music and stellar presenters is sure to be a hit on the radio dial. We’re always trying to drive awareness of Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and bringing back Classic Hits 80s back onto FM is a fun and exciting way to do that. While our main station continues from Studio 1, Classic Hit 80s will come from next door in Studio 2 – both broadcasting on the FM dial in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway & Clare. It will be a very busy but enjoyable month for us”.
FM frequencies:
Dublin: 105,2 MhzCork: 106.7 MhzGalway: 87.9 MhzLimerick/Clare: 105.5 Mhz. […]

Christmas FM is running its annual Donation Day today to raise funds for The Magic of Christmas Appeal.
The pop-up station is having a 12 hour long festive radiothon from 7am – 7pm, packed with Christmas hits and seasonal goodwill.
Christmas FM is asking listeners to help Give the Gift of Childhood to children who need it most, because every child deserves Magic at Christmas. Donations can be made through christmasfm.com or by calling 0818 911 977.
The Magic of Christmas was launched in 2022, with the aim of raising €1,000,000 over a three-year period for the charities. The Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal raised almost €325,000 last year for the charities, with donations raised between 2022 and 2023 totalling €618,706 overall.

Paul Shepherd, Co-Founder of Christmas FM, says: “This year marks our 17th year Switching Christmas On across Ireland. Since our launch in 2008, we’ve raised over €3.5 million for various charities nationwide – which is a huge milestone for us.
“With the incredible support of our listeners and fans, we’re committed to continuing this tradition of giving. While we’ve been fundraising throughout the festive season and will carry on while we’re on FM, Donation Day is especially important.
“It’s our chance to maximise support for The Magic of Christmas Appeal and we’re calling on everyone to tune in, donate, and join us in making a difference!”

People all over the world are watching Donation Day LIVE on our website! 🎥💃 pic.twitter.com/rDmgq5GCe1
— Christmas FM (@christmasfm) December 19, 2024

Commenting on Donation Day, the charity partners jointly said: “We are delighted to be working with The Magic of Christmas Appeal for the third consecutive year. Last year’s incredible support made a profound difference to children across Ireland, and we’re very much looking forward to Donation Day on Thursday, 19th December.
“We hope Christmas FM listeners and fans will join us by donating whatever they can to help transform the lives of children in communities across Ireland. With the generosity of listeners, we can Give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every child really does deserve magic at Christmas.”
Christmas FM is broadcasting from The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley who have kindly donated their studio space again this year. […]

Broadcaster Kathryn Thomas is joining Q102 in the new year to host the breakfast show.
The change happens in February when the station will reveal a rebrand including new logo.
The former Radio 1 presenter is known for hosting RTÉ television shows such as ‘No Place Like Home’ ‘My Body Fix’, ‘Operation Transformation’ and ‘The Voice of Ireland’.
Kathryn currently co-hosts The Rose of Tralee and began her journey on the TV series No Frontiers.
She also has some radio presenting experience, having worked on RTÉ Radio 1 over the years. More recently, Kathryn combined her passion for travel and well-being to set up her own business Pure Results, where she runs fitness and wellness retreats in Ireland and abroad.
Speaking about her new breakfast show, Kathryn said: “I’ve wanted my own radio show for such a long time but it was really about finding the right fit. Dublin’s Q102 is relaunching with a new vision and I loved the idea of brightening up people’s mornings, being curious and caring about issues that matter for Dubliners.
“I’ve been living in Dublin for the last 25 years and it’s most definitely the place I love to be. It’s my home, where my kids were born and the city I love most in the world.
“I’m not a newbie to radio having done loads of radio work for RTÉ, but having the opportunity to put my own stamp and style on a show is definitely the next exciting step for me. The people I have met so far in Q102 have already made me feel very welcome.
“I’m really looking forward to this new chapter and absolutely delighted to be working alongside Ryan again, but what I’m most excited about is having the opportunity to wake Dublin up with great chat, banter and tunes every morning!”
Vivienne Nagle, Managing Director of Dublin’s Q102, said: “As a business, we’re thrilled to announce that the new home for Kathryn is on Dublin’s Q102.
“The Morning Show with Kathryn Thomas on Dublin’s Q102 is going to be a bright place to be and a bright listen and watch, both on air and across all our platforms. Her naturally lively and engaging personality and her experience of listener and audience engagement speaks for itself. She’s a natural communicator.
“Kathryn’s show will begin airing in February and will be part of a relaunch for Dublin’s Q102 which will also include a new logo, a new strategic vision and new brand values – always being curious, social and bright. Once we had set out our strategy, Kathryn was the obvious choice for breakfast and she will work hand in glove with Ryan who follows her show at 10am.
“Liam Coburn, a long standing Q102 presenter, will follow with ‘Feel Good Afternoon’s’ as well as other familiar Q102 presenters like Martin King at the weekend. Dublin’s Q102 – Brighten Your Day!”
The new schedule for Dublin’s Q102 launching in February 2025 is:
7am – 10am The Morning Show with Kathryn Thomas10am – 1pm The Ryan Tubridy Show sponsored by Hyundai1pm – 6.30pm Feel Good Afternoons with Liam Coburn sponsored by Mooney’s Hyundai6.30pm – 7pm Dublin Today – All the news you need to know with Elizabeth Hearst7pm – 12am Feel Good Evenings […]