Radio listeners, brace yourselves! The latest Joint National Listenership Research figures are in, and they’re shaking up the airwaves. RTÉ Radio 1 is on fire, with four of its flagship shows now boasting over 400,000 listeners each—a first in its history. But here’s where it gets controversial: while RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ lyric fm are soaring to new heights, RTÉ 2FM has seen a slight dip. What does this mean for the future of Irish radio? Let’s dive in.
RTÉ’s radio services continue to dominate, capturing a 29% share of the national audience, with nearly two million weekly listeners. They’ve locked in 18 of the top 20 programs and own the entire top ten. Impressive, right? But this is the part most people miss: the growth isn’t just in numbers—it’s in diversity. From news to entertainment, RTÉ Radio 1 is proving it’s got something for everyone, seven days a week.
Take Morning Ireland, for instance. It remains the country’s most-listened-to show with 467,000 listeners, despite a slight dip of 4,000 from the previous quarter. Today with David McCullagh follows closely with 440,000 listeners, while Brendan O’Connor dominates the weekends, pulling in 429,000 on Saturdays and 418,000 on Sundays. But is this success sustainable? Some argue that relying on a few big shows could overshadow smaller, niche programs. What do you think?
RTÉ lyric fm, meanwhile, is having a moment. With 342,000 weekly listeners and a record-breaking 3.1% share, it’s clear that classical music and arts programming are resonating. Marty Whelan, host of Marty in the Morning, couldn’t be happier: “It’s lovely news, because you just never know until it happens.” But here’s a thought: Can lyric fm keep up this momentum, or is it just a passing trend?
Now, let’s talk about RTÉ 2FM. With 645,000 weekly listeners, it’s still a major player, but a slight drop in adult market share has raised eyebrows. Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, isn’t worried. He calls it a “small dip” and points to their fresh lineup, including five new presenters. But is this enough to win back the 15-to-34-year-old audience? And this is the part most people miss: 2FM’s Weekend Drive with Emma and Graham has seen significant year-on-year growth, suggesting there’s still plenty of potential.
So, what’s the takeaway? RTÉ Radio 1 is thriving, lyric fm is breaking records, and 2FM is evolving. But in a rapidly changing media landscape, can these stations keep listeners tuned in? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think RTÉ is on the right track, or is there room for improvement? One thing’s for sure: the airwaves are buzzing, and we’re here for it.
