Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sam Boal

Craving current affairs, radio listeners flock to Morning Ireland and Miriam as 2FM falters

Today FM sees strong gains across its entire week-day schedule.

MIRIAM O’CALLAGHAN’S Sunday morning slot on RTÉ Radio 1 and the station’s flagship Morning Ireland programme have added a combined 144,000 listeners in the past 12 months, according to the latest JNLR listenership figures.

Overall, Radio 1′s share of the Irish radio market has grown from 22.6% to 24.1% in the past year, with listeners flocking to current affairs programming during the pandemic.

Results at its music-heavy sister station, 2FM, were less positive across the board with listeners switching the dial to more news-oriented fare.

Meanwhile, programmers at Today FM will be celebrating after gaining listeners across its weekday schedule.

Radio listening throughout the market was down before 8am, but up after 8am, according to the latest research.

Mid-morning shows like Today FM’s Dermot and Dave and The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio One were some of the biggest beneficiaries of this trend, adding 19,000 and 47,00 listeners respectively.

RTÉ Radio One

Ireland’s most listened-to radio programme Morning Ireland has grown its audience to a whopping 491,000 listeners, an increase of 62,000 since September 2019.

It might be too early to say whether a new line-up has helped, however, with former Drivetime host Mary Wilson joining the team recently alongside Áine Lawlor, who left her long-time News at 1 gig.

Miriam O’Callaghan was the station’s biggest winner over the period, adding 82,000 to her audience. This took the number of people who tune into her Sunday morning offering to 318,000.

Another success story is the station’s mid-morning Today show, which had three presenters over the survey period – Sean O’Rourke, Sarah McInerney and most recently, Claire Byrne.

It now enjoys an audience of 369,000, up 54,000 year-on-year.

Liveline also had a positive 12 months, with an extra 41,000 listeners tuning into Joe Duffy every day — bringing its audience to 401,000.

RTÉ programmers believe that discussions on lighter topics like the sex scenes in Normal People coupled with more standard Liveline fare like the Leaving Cert debacle have helped to increase the show’s reach with a younger audience.

“We’re privileged to be trusted by so many in these different times. Thanks to the team, listeners, and our callers,” said Duffy.

Peter Woods, head of RTÉ Radio 1, said that the station’s success has something to do with listeners wanting to tune into trusted sources during a time of national crisis.

“People come to us as a trusted source of information around the country. That’s a good position to be in.

“But also, we’ve made changes and we’d like to think it’s the excellence of our programming,” he says.

2FM

With listeners flipping over to news programming, 2FM had a tough time of it over the past 12 months.

DJ Jenny Greene’s afternoon show pulled in 113,00 weekly listeners over the period, down 26,000 while the station’s weekday breakfast show, hosted by Doireann Garrihy and Eoghan McDermott lost 9,000 listeners.

Jennifer Zamparelli, who took over the famous Gerry Ryan slot, held up relatively well, losing just 4,000 listeners taking her total audience to 152,000.

Tracy Clifford’s music programme lost 12,000 listeners, going from 142,000 to 130,000.

John Healy, head of 2FM, says that when schools were shuttered in March, it meant fewer people turning on the radio in the mornings on their commute.

While he was prepared to leach some listeners to Radio 1 at a time of crisis when people want to keep up with all the latest developments, he says it’s a pity that there’s no JNLR survey this quarter.

“Kids are back travelling to schools and colleges. They’re all back but there’s no JNLR survey to measure them,” he says.

“But from a 2FM perspective, we’re just delighted with what’s going on with Radio 1 because we really admire their production process.”

Today FM

By contrast, programmers at the Communicorp-owned Today FM will be very pleased with the station’s performance over the survey period.

Overall, Today FM enjoyed its highest market share in five years at 7.8% and a weekly listenership of 877,000 — 100,000 more than nearest competitor 2FM.

Fergal D’Arcy’s mid-afternoon music programme bucked trends observed at 2FM, adding 22,000 listeners over the course of the survey period — the biggest increase of any Today FM show. 

Ed Smith’s National Anthems, another music programme, also increased its listenership to 27,000, up 4,000.

Ian Dempsey’s breakfast show meanwhile hit 179,000 listeners, adding 2,000 over the 12 month period.

But biggest winners for the station were Dermot Whelan and Dave Moore whose eponymous mid-morning offering hit 183,000 listeners, which was an increase of 19,000.

Commenting on the figures, Whelan said, “We’re so delighted with these JNLR figures.

“I feel very fortunate to be in a position to connect with so many Irish people on Today FM each day. 2020 has not been easy for a lot of people and radio has proven to be a place where our listeners can find a much-needed sense of community and reassurance.”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 46 comments
Close
46 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute King B
    Favourite King B
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:08 PM

    2fm is a terrible station. Love a bit of Sunday night Ed Smith in on today fm but weeknight Ed is very hit and miss.
    To summarise, Irish radio is going down the pan. Same songs constantly repeated and they’re not very good songs either.

    226
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Nugent
    Favourite Mary Nugent
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:17 PM

    @King B: over paid or over played.

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
    Favourite Fr. Fintan Stack
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:36 PM

    @King B: You’re right about day time radio, same rubbish on repeat. But for us slightly more mature (age wise) listeners John Creedon and John Kelly do just fine.

    93
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute King B
    Favourite King B
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 4:16 PM

    @Fr. Fintan Stack: I take offence to that as I regularly listen to John Creedon.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
    Favourite Fr. Fintan Stack
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 5:26 PM

    @King B: Well I take offence to you being offended by being categorised as being in the same age bracket as me…. phew, time for my medication.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pauline Gallagher
    Favourite Pauline Gallagher
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 6:45 PM

    @King B: I detest all top 40 radio shows, same songs played 10 times a day with overly enthusiastic djs who sound like they’re on too much caffeine and Prozac or something. Tracy boring Clifford with her endless rave songs after lunch. Just depressing. I listen to Dave Fanning Saturday afternoons; the only good show 2fm has. Lyric FM has the Mystery Train with Joh Kelly and Marty in the Morning. At least its something different presented by people who actually know their music.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute King B
    Favourite King B
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 7:29 PM

    @Fr. Fintan Stack: The blue pills are usually the good ones ;)

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Victor Feldman
    Favourite Victor Feldman
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 12:17 AM

    @Mary Nugent: listening to miriam. O’callaghan is like being trapped on a deserd island and only being able to read chick lit!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Clifford
    Favourite Robert Clifford
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:47 PM

    Miriam O’Callaghan is about as interesting as a paperweight.

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Short
    Favourite Patrick Short
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:57 PM

    @Robert Clifford: yet her ratings are way up. Your brains are packed into a paperweight

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ed w
    Favourite ed w
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 3:40 PM

    @Patrick Short: pretty unbelievable. could there be challenge to the numbers ? I cant understand how anyone can listen to her on radio or tv.

    58
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
    Favourite Fr. Fintan Stack
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 3:44 PM

    @ed w: I cant understand why 22 people chase around after a ball for 90 minutes but there you go, everyone to their own.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Margaret Deacon
    Favourite Margaret Deacon
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 4:49 PM

    @Patrick Short: she has good guests it’s a pity she is so full of her own agenda that she doesn’t listen to them instead of repeating the same questions

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pauline Gallagher
    Favourite Pauline Gallagher
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 6:47 PM

    @Robert Clifford: She really annoyed me one day – she was interviewing someone who happened to be adapted as his mother left him as a baby and she went on and on and ON about it when there were other things for him to talk about, i forget if he was an author or a musician, but it really annoyed me. She just wouldnt drop it.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Victor Feldman
    Favourite Victor Feldman
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 12:10 AM

    @Patrick Short: she appeals to elderly women.
    She a chronic poseur.. At best she’s like marmite.. She always looks a bit out of her depth.
    ..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Victor Feldman
    Favourite Victor Feldman
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 12:20 AM

    @Patrick Short: such a wannabe! Totally out of her depth.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Thebomb Macken
    Favourite John Thebomb Macken
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:38 PM

    Bring back George Hook

    141
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Full Circle
    Favourite Full Circle
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:23 PM

    There’s too many ads on Irish radio nowadays unfortunately. Also as soon as I hear a D4 accent I just change it over. Some other stations have great presenters/shows but they seem to be on late at night. Example being Room 104 on fm104

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 3:03 PM

    @Full Circle:

    Yeah I’d listen them more if they’re on a different slot. I also like that it’s a man and woman, too.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean sheahan
    Favourite sean sheahan
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:56 PM

    I used to listen to 2fm when Breakfast Republic was on with Bernard,Keith and Jenny. But its just not the same anymore.
    Also 2fm changing Alan Cawley and Hugh Cahill from Game On was not a good move. Game On is not as good as it was in my opinion.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Connolly
    Favourite Simon Connolly
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 3:08 PM

    @sean sheahan: Doubly agree…cannot listen to Eoghan McDermott’s voice..the most overhyped and talentless presenter on the radio!!

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Gill
    Favourite Shane Gill
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 5:27 PM

    @Simon Connolly: Spot on. Doireann is just about bearable at a push but Eoghan is really awful. The most annoying ginit on the radio

    28
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan
    Favourite Ronan
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 9:21 AM

    @Shane Gill: Don’t listen to them often but when I do you can nearly hear her cringing at some of the tripe yer man comes out with. I don’t think she is that into all the silly crap but goes along with it as its her job. The other fella shop be sedated before going on, might achieve a normal level happy then.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Byrne
    Favourite Martin Byrne
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 3:11 PM

    2FM is awful. Inane vacuous drivel for hours on end. Their dance stuff on Saturday evenings was good but their daytime effort is just not working.

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Harpur Photography
    Favourite Tom Harpur Photography
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:21 PM

    Haven’t listened to 2fm in ages until the mrs turned it what a load of rubbish each to there own. I prefer pat kenny in the morning on Newstalk and did prefer Ciara Kelly after pat not fond on Andrea Undecided on The Hard Shoulder at the weekends I’d listen to Brendan o Connor

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Walsh
    Favourite Sean Walsh
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 5:10 PM

    2fm is a disaster. It should be scrapped and its frequency used to put RTE Gold on fm.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 8:45 PM

    @Sean Walsh: Absolutely! Great idea! Start a petition!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry
    Favourite Barry
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:45 PM

    2fm is awful, even their so called comedy is a ripp off from gift grub on todayfm.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry Fagan VO
    Favourite Terry Fagan VO
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 3:30 PM

    NOVA all the way.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn Tierney
    Favourite Eamonn Tierney
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 3:25 PM

    Made a mistake and turned into 2 FM recently around 8pm could believe the language of what was played and won’t repeat it

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Kenny
    Favourite John Kenny
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 3:38 PM

    Listen to Iano in morning now that Ciara Kelly has come on board Newstalk breakfast show. Thought The 2 lads were Brill. Then Back to Rte radio 1 Tubridy.
    Dermot and Dave 10 to 12pm. Back to RTe Ronan Collins for good sounds.
    2 pm Sean Moncreif. 4pm Ray Darcy and then 4.30 between Newstalk, Today Fm and Rte Radio 1 with Sara Mcinernry and Fiacra which is really a turn around and now a good show.A lot lighter than Mary Wilson.
    Then Off the ball, 7pm and 8pm between Rte Radio 1 / Today Fm music and Kelly Lyric fm.
    Wow mad day.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Hanley
    Favourite Justin Hanley
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 2:27 PM

    John Healy Ducked up 2fm after Gerry Ryan . Back then colm Hayes took over Ferry Ryan’s slot and everything was great till that S A P decided to change everything. Since then 2fm is crap and been down listener’s over the years

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emer Caffrey
    Favourite Emer Caffrey
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 5:00 PM

    2fm is done. I’ve attempted to listen in, it hurt my ears, the forced laughter and drivel, most disappointing of all is the utter disrespect shown to serious topics. Gerry Ryan RIP

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Batster
    Favourite Batster
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 6:23 PM

    No mention of Mairead Ronan show on Today FM, no surprise as it’s bloody awful

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 3:07 PM

    If I’ve the radio on all day..

    Classic Hits 4FM
    Dublin Talks 98FM
    Niall boylan Classic Hits 4FM
    Live Live on RTÉ Radio 1
    Ray D’Arcy RTÉ Radio 1
    I leave it on RTÉ Radio 1 until about 7pm
    Then start listening to Q102 until 9pm if Niall Boylan’s back that evening. But if not I’ll listen to FM104’s Room 104 I think it’s called.

    Odd time I’d listen to parts of News Talk during evening rush hour.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Peter: BBC Radio 2 all the way!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Claire Voigt
    Favourite Claire Voigt
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 6:37 PM

    2fm has gotten dreadful. They moved Eoghan McDermot to the mornings and totally dumbed his input down. I thought his mix of entertainment, music, and intelligent current affairs was brilliant. Keith Walsh was given bit parts around RTE, when his show was doing brilliantly against TodayFm. I listened to Jennifer Zamparelli last week, or maybe the week before, say that everyone steals from shops when they’re young, therefore it’s ok. I can’t listen to 2fm anymore, I’m just so disappointed with the standard of it’s presenters.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fran O'Keeffe
    Favourite Fran O'Keeffe
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 6:31 PM

    2fm close it so called dj terrible long long time since I listened to it waist of money.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Cunningham
    Favourite Paul Cunningham
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 4:10 PM

    I listen to music through YouTube, and what I am finding interesting is the sheer amount of ads on it now. There are 4 ads every 2 songs, so I am just throwing on the radio and letting random chance dictate the music instead. At least it tends to be 5 songs before ad breaks there.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Dunne
    Favourite Brian Dunne
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 6:06 PM

    @Paul Cunningham: try spotify Paul. Play all the music you like add free and all the podcasts you want. All for a tenner a month

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 8:48 PM

    @Brian Dunne: Try BBC Radio 2 on smart speaker, add free!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamo
    Favourite Jamo
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 4:44 PM

    Ian Dempsey today fm 7-9 Lucy Kennedy and Colm Radio Nova 9-10 Nova then for the rest of the day. Tuned into 2fm on Saturday and one of the presenters was talking about being a feminist so I switched it off straight away.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute M
    Favourite M
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 7:01 PM

    Perhaps it was the listeners were in that category as people were vulnerable to propaganda during this year.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall O'Malley
    Favourite Niall O'Malley
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 8:05 AM

    It would be good if we had a decent music program and DJ in this country. There has been nothing done in recent years to promote small and independent band’s and music, those that fund and produce their own music independent of major labels. Now more than ever we need music an encouragemt of the arts in all forms on all broadcast mediums.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Kelly
    Favourite Brian Kelly
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 12:17 PM

    2FM was great at the start. The presenters in the morning are absolutely dreadful. Tracy Clifford has a great music show, but I also find there is far to many female presenters on 2FM all day long. Where are the male DJs? Dan Healy should be sacked. Eoin Mc Dermot dreadful also.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig Dolan
    Favourite Padraig Dolan
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 6:22 PM

    Who believes these figures???? Most people under 40 never listen to radio or watch television…..their information is gleaned from social media and not radio or television….im 66 and very seldom watch rte or bbc as i stream most things and i doubt if im alone in my changing habits…..

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel