RTÉ Radio 1 Soars to Modern Heights, While 2FM Navigates a Changing Landscape
Recent listenership figures reveal a dynamic shift in Ireland’s radio landscape. RTÉ Radio 1 is experiencing significant growth, reaching a wider audience and solidifying its position as a national leader. Simultaneously, RTÉ 2FM is facing challenges, prompting a strategic re-evaluation of its programming.
Radio 1’s Winning Formula: A Broad Appeal
The latest Joint National Listenership Research (JNLR) figures demonstrate a clear upward trend for RTÉ Radio 1. Weekly listenership has climbed to 1,388,000, a 12,000 increase and its share among all adults has risen to 20.3%. Notably, the station is attracting a younger demographic, with a share increase from 6.6% to 7.3% among 15 to 34-year-olds.
A key driver of this success is the strength of its flagship shows. For the first time, Radio 1 boasts four programmes each attracting over 400,000 listeners: Morning Ireland (467,000), Today with David McCullagh (440,000), and both the Saturday and Sunday editions of Brendan O’Connor (429,000 and 418,000 respectively). Morning Ireland remains the most listened-to show nationally, despite a slight book-on-book decrease of 4,000 listeners.
Weekend programming is also performing strongly. Sunday Miscellany has seen a substantial year-on-year increase of 79,000 listeners, reaching 338,000, while Sunday with Miriam has gained 37,000 listeners over the past year.
Lyric FM Achieves Record Share
Alongside Radio 1’s success, RTÉ lyric fm is celebrating an all-time high share of 3.1%, up from 2.6% in the previous year. The station now reaches 342,000 listeners weekly. Marty in the Morning, hosted by Marty Whelan, contributes to this growth, attracting 77,000 listeners.
2FM Faces Headwinds, Embraces Change
In contrast to the positive trends at Radio 1 and lyric fm, RTÉ 2FM is experiencing a dip in listenership. The station reaches 645,000 listeners weekly, but shows like 2FM Breakfast (121,000 listeners, down 10,000 book on book) and Laura Fox (120,000 listeners, down 5,000 book on book) have seen declines. However, 2FM Drive with Demi and Mikey shows a positive trend, with 126,000 listeners (up 2,000 book on book).
RTÉ 2FM is actively addressing these challenges through a recruitment process for new presenters, with five new voices now on air. Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, acknowledges a “small dip” in market share but remains optimistic, stating that plans are in place to ensure the station continues to appeal to its target audience of 15 to 34-year-olds.
The Future of Irish Radio: Adapting to Audience Needs
These figures highlight the importance of adapting to evolving audience preferences. Radio 1’s success demonstrates the enduring appeal of strong current affairs programming and established presenters. The growth of lyric fm suggests a continued demand for specialized music and cultural content. 2FM’s situation underscores the need for constant innovation and a clear understanding of its target demographic.
Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio at RTÉ, emphasizes that the Radio 1 schedule is “all about delivering for the audience,” and the latest figures confirm this approach is working. The focus on a diverse range of genres and consistent quality appears to be resonating with listeners.
FAQ
Q: What are JNLR figures?
A: JNLR (Joint National Listenership Research) figures are the official measure of radio listenership in Ireland.
Q: What does “Book on Book” (BoB) mean?
A: “Book on Book” compares average programme listenership across the four previous three-month periods.
Q: Why is 2FM listenership down?
A: 2FM is undergoing changes with new presenters, and a slight dip in listenership is not unexpected during this transition.
Q: What is RTÉ doing to address the challenges at 2FM?
A: RTÉ 2FM has launched a recruitment process for new presenters and has plans for further innovation in 2026.
Did you know? RTÉ Radio 1 now has four shows attracting over 400,000 listeners each week – a first for the station.
Pro Tip: Radio stations that consistently invest in high-quality content and engage with their audience are more likely to thrive in a competitive media landscape.
Stay tuned for further updates on the evolving world of Irish radio. Share your thoughts on these figures in the comments below!
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