Midway through his interview with Brendan O’Connor (RTÉ Radio 1, Saturday and Sunday), Bono confesses to a failing that has been evident to listeners since he’s been on air. “I’m not very succinct,” the U2 frontman says by way of explaining his convoluted answers to O’Connor’s questions. The host seems happy enough to let his … Read more
Last week, as usual, Irish media dutifully reported on the latest quarterly results from the Joint National Listenership Research, better known as the JNLRs, which measure the popularity of every radio programme and every radio station in the State on a regular basis. You will be familiar with the drill: Headshots of well-known presenters. Boldface … Read more
The kids are all right? Whatever the case when The Who originally made the claim, in the swinging London of 1965, it seems a dubious assertion in Ireland 60 years later. “Irish teenagers are succeeding in school but struggling in life,” the reporter Kate Carolan baldly declares on Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays), summing … Read more
Irish radio heavy hitters lose listeners as Callan and Savage enjoy big audience gains The Journal 2FM top for younger listeners as RTÉ Radio 1 holds lead RTE.ie JNLRs: Slight drop for Joe Duffy’s ‘Liveline’ as RTÉ breaks from tradition and issues casting call for successor The Irish Independent RTÉ’s Oliver Callan enjoys biggest gain in radio listenership, … Read more
It’s not a show to avoid tough topics, but throughout the week Liveline (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) has a decidedly fluffy feel, as Katie Hannon tends to all manner of sheep-related stories. On Monday the guest host learns of the threat posed by errant dogs to flocks around the country. On Tuesday she expands on … Read more
With the big day looming, the airwaves are full of fevered anticipation about the imminent St Patrick’s spectacle. That the events will be awash with gaudy pageantry and cheesy stereotypes is a given, but presenters and pundits across all stations worry that the annual festivities might descend into ugly scenes of unruliness. Yes, so all-pervasive … Read more