After poaching the broadcaster from RTÉ, Newstalk has overhauled its schedule. As her on-air rivalry with McCullagh begins next week, Byrne faces the challenge of her career in pushing loyal listeners to ‘move the dial’ and attract hard-to-reach under-24s Claire Byrne will be going head to head with David McCullagh in the mid-morning battle for … Read more
Towards the end of the final weekday radio broadcast of Pat Kenny’s long career, something extraordinary happens when the stoic host’s stiff upper lip wobbles ever so slightly. “To be honest I’m a bit overwhelmed,” the veteran presenter and newsman says as he is flooded with messages from wellwishers. “My father used to quote the … Read more
As Pat Kenny (Newstalk, weekdays) finishes in the weekday midmorning slot that he’s occupied, in various iterations and on different stations, for nearly four decades, the arrival of Storm Chandra ensures that, whatever about dry eyes in the house, everything else is drenched. Characteristically, there’s little teary sentiment as the veteran presenter sees out the … Read more
The veteran RTÉ broadcaster said it was an “evocative” vital cue for listeners, especially given the show’s challenging mid‑afternoon slot, and helped to draw listeners. The signature tune, Over the Moor by Irish band Stockton’s Wing, had been the theme for the flagship programme on RTÉ Radio 1 for four decades until Kieran Cuddihy took … Read more
Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly are on the move, departing Newstalk Breakfast (weekdays) in February to take over early-evening hosting duties on The Hard Shoulder, but apart from being able to sleep on a bit later, their routine probably won’t change much. The presenters’ fondness for commuter-centred issues, in particular, should translate seamlessly to their … 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 Whatever the case when The Who originally made the claim, in the swinging London of 1965, it seems a dubious assertion in Ireland 60 years later.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
Radio review Presenter Pat Kenny remains a rare voice of reason. Photo: Getty Pat Kenny is easily the oldest Irish broadcaster covering the hydra-headed creature that is Donald Trump, and he’s easily the best. In fact he’s almost as old as Trump himself – though you’d never know it unless you looked it up. I … Read more
Radio reviews: The Hard Shoulder; Morning Ireland; and The News at One Michael Lowry is at the centre of another scandal. Photo: PA A few months ago, I was driving in the south of Wicklow from Avoca to Arklow, when I saw long lines of people on both sides of the road, wearing hi-vis jackets … Read more
Never let it be said that Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly are lofty elitists. On Wednesday the presenters of Newstalk Breakfast (weekdays) throw themselves at the mercy of the public by inviting listeners to come up with slogans for their show. As suggestions arrive, the pair’s fancy seems particularly tickled by the snappy “Let’s go … Read more