Today FM
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| Today FM | |
| Image:Todayfm irl logo.gif | |
| Broadcast area | National Ireland |
|---|---|
| Slogan | 100 to 102 Today FM |
| Frequency | 100-101.8 (105.5 north east) MHz Digital terrestrial television DAB digital radio |
| First air date | March 17 1997 |
| Format | Contemporary |
| Owner | EMAP |
| Website | www.todayfm.com |
For the similarly named Australian radio station, see 2Day FM
100-102 Today FM, formerly called Radio Ireland, is one of Ireland's Independent National Radio stations (there are many other independent local commercial stations, however). The station commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997.
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has extended the licence, in principle, to operate the station for an additional 10 years, to 2017. The award of the licence is subject to final negotiations.
Contents |
[edit] Origin: Radio Ireland
The original Independent National Radio franchise holder in Ireland was 100-102 Century Radio, which launched in 1989 and closed down abruptly in late 1991. The Independent Radio and Television Commission did not re-advertise the contract for several years, until 1996.
Radio Ireland Limited, originally owned by John McColgan and Moya Doherty (and because of their involvement, dubbed "Radio Riverdance"), won the contract when it was advertised. The station went on air on 17th March 1997. At first the station was a mixed network, airing much talk programming and various types of music. However after disastrous ratings, the station was revamped, and on 1st January 1998 became 100-102 Today FM. The station axed almost all of its programming and changed its music policy entirely. The IRTC went along with the schedule changes, though in a statement soon after the relaunch said it was not entirely satisfied with the new schedule. However, within three months, the station's listenership had almost doubled.
[edit] Ownership
In 2002, Scottish Radio Holdings plc acquired Radio Ireland Limited from its shareholders. In June 2005, an agreed takeover offer for that company was made by EMAP plc.
On 16 July 2007 it was announced that Denis O'Brien's Communicorp had agreed to purchase FM104, along with national station Today FM and Donegal station Highland Radio. The sale is however subject to both Competition Authority and Broadcasting Commission of Ireland approval. Should the sale be approved, both FM104 and 98FM would be owned by the same company.[1][2]
On October 8 2007, Communicorp's takeover of Today FM was approved by the BCI. [3] However the Competition Authority investigation is currently ongoing, and as of November 2007 it is by no means yet certain that the sale will proceed.
[edit] Shows
The station airs a mixture of popular music and news and current affairs programming. The flagship current affairs programme is Matt Cooper's The Last Word. Of note is the stations satirical slot, Gift Grub which features during another show, the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, which is performed by Mario Rosenstock and includes a popular caricature of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. DJ's at the station include Ray Foley, Ray D'Arcy and Tony Fenton.
[edit] See also
- Ray Foley
- Ray D'Arcy
- Ian Dempsey
- Tom Dunne
- Alison Curtis
- Alice Cooper (Nights with Alice Cooper)
- Matt Cooper
- Tony Fenton
- List of Irish radio stations
- List of Irish companies
- Gift Grub
- Mario Rosenstock
[edit] References
- ^ "O'Brien's company buys Irish radio stations", RTÉ, 2007-07-16.
- ^ "Sale of Republic of Ireland radio stations", EMAP, 2007-07-16.
- ^ http://www.radiowaves.fm/newsart/071008emap.html
[edit] External links
EMAP plc |
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