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RTÉ Radio 1 programmes take a dip in latest radio figures

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RTÉ Radio 1 weekday programmes recorded book-on-book dips

RTÉ Radio 1 weekday programmes recorded book-on-book dips as the station's new schedule continues to bed in.

While Morning Ireland remains Ireland's most-listened-to radio programme with 452,000 listeners, it is down from 467,000 in the previous book.

Today with David McCullagh has 423,000 listeners from 9am to 11am, down from 440,000, while Oliver Callan has 296,000 listeners each day in his new 11am to 1pm slot.

News at One has 275,000 listeners, down from 279,000, while Liveline has 268,000 listeners, down from 280,000.

The figures mean Morning Ireland is down 15,000 book on book, Today with David McCullagh is down 17,000, News at One is down 4,000, and Liveline is down 12,000.

Oliver Callan
Oliver Callan has 296,000 listeners each day in his new 11am to 1pm slot

Newstalk reported a strong performance for its new schedule, with the station reaching 846,000 listeners weekly and 466,000 daily.

The Claire Byrne Show, in the weekday slot formerly hosted by Pat Kenny, has 206,000 listeners, while The Pat Kenny Show reaches 159,000 listeners on Saturdays and 119,000 on Sundays.

RTÉ remains the most-listened-to radio group in Ireland

The latest figures show RTÉ remains the most-listened-to radio group in Ireland, with a 28.8% market share and almost two million people listening every week.

RTÉ holds 17 of the top 20 radio programmes in Ireland and the entire top ten.

The Louise Duffy Show has 145,000 listeners in her new 3pm slot, while Drivetime with Katie Hannon and Colm Ó Mongáin has 211,000 listeners from 4pm to 6pm.

At weekends, Brendan O'Connor continues to deliver strong audiences for RTÉ Radio 1, with 414,000 listeners on Saturdays, up 51,000 year on year, and 409,000 listeners on Sundays, up 40,000 year on year.

The Business has 372,000 listeners on Saturday mornings, up 52,000 year on year, while Sunday with Miriam has 334,000 listeners, up 30,000 year on year.

Sunday Miscellany has 308,000 listeners, up 24,000 year on year, while This Week has 198,000 listeners, up 14,000 year on year.

Brendan O'Connor continues to deliver strong audiences

Lyric fm

The latest figures show that RTÉ lyric fm has reached a new all-time high. It now reaches 359,000 listeners every week and has increased its share to an all-time high of 3.6%, up from 2.7% year on year.

The station said all weekday programmes made gains in the latest book, with Marty in the Morning reaching 85,000 listeners, up 14,000 year on year.

Marty Whelan said: "From Beethoven to Bublé every morning we have fun along the way, a bright start to your day. With the listeners' participation, we’re like a morning club - jokes and stories arrive from 7am and off we go sharing highs and some lows along the way."

Sinéad Wylde, Head of RTÉ lyric fm, said: "This book sees its highest ever number of listeners with an all-time high market share of 3.6%. On RTÉ lyric fm we continue to bring beautiful music and arts content into the lives of listeners throughout the country, enriching their everyday lives."

RTÉ lyric fm now reaches 359,000 listeners every week

Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio at RTÉ, said: "As we mark 100 years of public service media in Ireland, the latest figures demonstrate Ireland’s ongoing connection to and love of radio. I’m really heartened to see RTÉ lyric fm is at an historic high in its market share, now at 3.6%. lyric fm is a precious resource for its hundreds of thousands of listeners, more and more of whom are joining every year.

"It’s also gratifying in this centenary year that RTÉ Radio 1 retains its position as Ireland’s biggest radio station, with four flagship shows continuing to bring in over 400,000 listeners as the new schedule continues to bed in.

RTÉ 2FM

"RTÉ 2FM meanwhile has held its market share at 5% and is continuing to deliver for young audiences across Ireland with a 9.3% share of that demographic. We’ve a big summer ahead as 2FM goes on the road for festivals all over Ireland - 2FM will truly offer the sound of the summer this year."

RTÉ 2FM has held its market share at 5% and has a 9.3% share of 15 to 34-year-olds.

2FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz and Aisling has 121,000 listeners on weekday mornings.

Laura Fox had 119,000 listeners for her 9am to midday show. She has since moved to 2FM Drive with Katja Mia from 3pm to 6pm.

Tracy Clifford had 102,000 listeners for 2FM Afternoon. Clifford left the station earlier this month after more than a decade on air.

RTÉ 2fm's Tracy Clifford. Picture Andres Poveda
Tracy Clifford had 102,000 listeners for 2FM Afternoon

Demi and Mikey had 124,000 listeners for 2FM Drive. Their slot has now moved to midday to 3pm.

Weekends on 2FM with Katja Mia had 115,000 listeners on Saturdays and 118,000 listeners on Sundays, up 10,000 book on book. Bláthnaid Treacy has returned to the slot following maternity leave.

Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, said: "This is a stable result for 2FM and these numbers tell us our foundation is solid. We also continue to experience growth across weekend programming, which we are thrilled about.

"We are proud of our new schedule and how it reflects life in Ireland today and believe that our presenters and programmes will resonate with young Irish audiences. All the programmes have settled in with such ease that it feels like they were always part of the station. This is massively down to our hardworking and creative team in 2FM. And as always… a big thank you to our listeners from everyone at the station."

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta has 96,000 listeners tuning in weekly, with weekend share growth on both Saturday and Sunday book on book.

Book-on-book comparisons measure average programme listenership across the four previous quarters.

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