RTÉ 2FM announces schedule changes and new presenters.
RTÉ 2FM hopes fresh voices, new sounds and an image change for the radio station will capture a wider share of the youth market and increase audience figures.
Roddy O'Sullivan of The Irish Times says the 2fm audience was beginning to age with some of the older DJs. The radio station wants to target 20 to 35 year old listeners an audience that advertisers are interested in. RTÉ 2FM has competition for the breakfast slot from competitors in Dublin and around the country. Relative newcomer and Den2 presenter Damien McCaul will replace Gareth O'Callaghan in the primetime breakfast slot.
The aim is to lower the age profile of 2fm listeners by up to 10 years.
Head of RTÉ 2FM John Clarke hopes that giving a national platform to some young new DJs will help to achieve the station's aim. It is not all out with the old and in with the new as experienced DJs Larry Gogan, Gerry Ryan and Tony Fenton remain with their shows largely unchanged. Producer Ian Wilson is determined that the station will continue to provide a varied musical offering for listeners rather than going down the route of talk radio.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 10 April 2000. The reporter is Sharon Ní Bheoláin.
