Cork's Red FM

Last updated

Cork's RedFM
Cork's RedFM logo, 2023.png
Broadcast area County Cork, Ireland
Frequency 104.2 – 106.1 FM
RDS RedFM
Programming
Language(s)English
Irish [1]
Format CHR
Ownership
Owner
Today FM
Newstalk
Dublin's 98FM
SPIN 1038
SPIN South West
iRadio
History
First air date
16 January 2002
Links
Website redfm.ie

Cork's RedFM is an Irish radio station which broadcasts to Cork and the surrounding area, and is aimed at a youth audience. The station commenced broadcasting on 16 January 2002 [2] " and was awarded Ireland's first youth radio licence. Its target market is the 15-35 age group in Cork city and county.

Contents

On 1 March 2023, the radio station was acquired by Bauer Media Audio and became one of the group's stations in the country. [3] It adopted a new branding kit in early 2024, to closer align with sister stations across the Bauer network. This included a new tagline, Cork's Good Times, taken from the network's similarly formatted 98FM in Dublin.

History

Some of RedFM's key personnel had previously worked with "Longwave, Atlantic 252 which ceased broadcasting on Thursday 20 December 2001. RedFM's first Chief Executive, The late Cork native Henry Condon and former presenter Charlie Wolf, a Boston native, were both well known voices on Atlantic 252.

Adrian Bodenham was Red FM's Production Director at launch, and moved to Ireland to join the team from the UK's Virgin Radio. The station has picked up 13 PPI Radio Awards since first broadcasting, including winning the "Best Breakfast Show" award two years in a row, in 2008 and 2009.

In 2014 the station signed up a well known Cork Presenter Neil Prendeville. Neil had previously been a staple of rival local station Cork's 96FM. Listenership to RedFM has improved since the transfer. [4]

In December 2017, a sale was agreed of the 17.5% of Red FM owned by Landmark Media Investments to The Irish Times [5] pending regulatory approval. In July 2018, the 17.5% stake in the station to The Irish Times was complete. [6] [7]

In November 2022, the station reached a deal for acquisition by Bauer Media Audio, [8] completed in March 2023. [9] The acquisition resulted in sweeping changes to the station's weekday and weekend schedules, with the resignation of many veteran presenters. [10] [11] The station has since adopted a new branding kit shared by stations across the Bauer network in Ireland, including the tagline from similarly formatted 98FM in Dublin. The station also regularly features cross-promoted competitions from across Bauer stations under a local moniker.

In July 2023, the station saw the departure of both its afternoon and drivetime veteran presenters, Philip Bourke and Dave MacArdle, who had each worked at the station for over 20 years. They both later joined national station Ireland's Classic Hits Radio. Their departure was quickly followed by weekend presenter Isabel Bartak-Healy, leaving for rival station Cork's 96FM after 12 years. The next month saw the return of Keith Cunningham to host a new flagship Breakfast show, following the station's dismissal of local Olympian Rob Heffernan and comedian Laura O'Mahony.

Business

Siteridge Limited currently hold a licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland for Cork City and County and broadcast as Red FM. [12] Shareholders in Siteridge Limited included Thomas Crosbie Holdings. [13] Thomas Crosbie Holdings went into receivership in March 2013. Their stake acquired by Landmark Media Investments. [14]

In March 2013, Dublin born Diarmuid O'Leary, the then Advertising Sales Director of the Irish Daily Star, joined RedFM as CEO. [15]

News

RedFM's Head of News is female, and all newsreaders are female, with the exception of some male sports readers who occasionally read news.[ citation needed ]

In early 2024, The station's weekend local news bulletins except for sport news were axed, with Red FM now airing network news bulletins from Newstalk

Frequencies

Frequency (MHz)TransmitterService areaPower (kW)
104.2CarrigalineCarrigaline and Cobh0.1
104.5Nowen HillWest Cork8.5
105.0 (inactive)NewmarketNewmarket0.5
105.1YoughalYoughal0.1
105.2KinsaleKinsale0.2
105.4BantryBantry0.2
105.4FermoyFermoy0.2
105.7Corran MountainNorth Cork2.5
106.1HollyhillCork City and SE Cork2.0

Related Research Articles

Licensed radio broadcasting in Ireland is one element of the wider media of Ireland, with 85% of the population listening to a licensed radio broadcasting service on any given day.

Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH) was a family-owned media and publishing group based in Cork, Ireland. Its largest publication was once the Irish Examiner, the third largest daily broadsheet newspaper in the Republic of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Today FM</span> National commercial radio network in Ireland

Today FM is a Republic of Ireland commercial FM radio station, owned and operated by Bauer Audio Ireland Limited, which broadcasts throughout the State. Broadcasting since 17 March 1997, it broadcasts mostly music, with a daily news and current affairs programme. Today FM holds a licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland as far as the year 2027. The station recorded pretax profits of €7.4 million on a turnover of €19.4 million in early 2009, more than twice what it was two years previously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FM104</span> Radio station in Dublin

FM104 is an independent local radio station broadcast across Dublin, Ireland, on the frequency 104.4 MHz. It is operated by Capital Radio Productions Limited, and is a subsidiary of the News Broadcasting, which itself is a subsidiary of News UK. The station broadcasts under a contract from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. FM104 broadcasts from Macken House in Dublin's Docklands.

Newstalk is a national independent radio station in Ireland. It is operated by News 106 Limited, a subsidiary of Bauer Media Audio Ireland, and broadcasts under a sound broadcasting contract with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cork's 96FM</span> Radio station in Cork

Cork's 96FM is one of three local radio stations licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland for Cork City and County in Ireland. It broadcasts from studios at Broadcasting House, St. Patrick's Place in Cork City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C103</span> Radio station in Cork

C103 is one of three local radio stations licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland for Cork City and County in Republic of Ireland. It broadcasts from studios at the Majestic Business Park, Goulds Hill in Mallow, Weir Street in Bandon and St. Patrick's Place in Cork City.

iRadio Irish radio station

iRadio is a music-driven youth radio station broadcast in the Border, West, Mid-East and Midland regions of Ireland. The station is one of four music-driven youth stations that were licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to challenge the current duopoly in the 15-34 age bracket for those outside Dublin by national stations RTÉ 2FM and Today FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital Radio in the Republic of Ireland</span>

Digital Radio in the Republic of Ireland is broadcast on a number of digital terrestrial, cable and internet platforms. Until the 31 March 2021, official broadcasts of the digital audio broadcasting standard were also available in the state by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) of their full compliment of radio services. DAB broadcasts since April 2021 are now restricted to unlicensed, low powered multiplexes in a small number of locations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SPIN 1038</span> Radio station

SPIN 1038 is a local radio station in Dublin, Ireland. It is owned by Bauer Media Audio Ireland and broadcasts on 103.8 FM under a sound broadcasting contract with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. SPIN 1038 is mostly heard in Dublin but can also be heard in such towns as Naas, Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth, Ashbourne, Dunboyne, Drogheda, Bray and Greystones due to their close proximity to Dublin.

Mark Anthony Cagney is an Irish television presenter and journalist, best known for presenting Ireland AM, the breakfast show on TV3 from 1999 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bauer Media Audio Ireland</span> Irish media holding company

Bauer Media Audio Ireland is a media holding company based in Ireland, owned by Bauer Media Group.

Aidan Power is an Irish television and radio presenter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beat 102 103</span> Irish regional radio station

Beat 102 103 is an independent regional radio station in the Republic of Ireland licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland covering counties Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Tipperary in South East Ireland. It began broadcasting on 1 July 2003 from studios at The Broadcast Centre, Ardkeen, Waterford City, becoming the first station to operate under a regional licence.

Raymond Foley is an Irish television host and radio presenter. Having worked at Dublin's 98FM and SPIN 1038 early in his career, Foley moved to Today FM in 2004. In 2006, he moved to midday and presented The Ray Foley Show, with sidekick JP Gilbourne and Adelle McDonnell. He hosted the breakfast slot on 98FM from October 2012 until December 2015. He also hosts TV dating show Take Me Out on TV3. On Friday 12 October 2012, Foley and JP announced on the show that both of them would be transferring to Today FM's sister station 98FM to present the breakfast show. They both have expressed how difficult the decision was for them, due to their fondness of their workmates and friends in Today FM. In 2022, Foley returned to Today FM with an afternoon show from 2pm - 4:30pm.

Keith Cunningham or "K.C." is an Irish radio presenter, producer and radio programmer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">98FM</span> Radio station

98FM is a local radio station in Dublin, Ireland, operated by Bauer Media Audio Ireland, under a sound broadcasting contract from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The station broadcasts on the 98.1 MHz FM frequency. 98FM's broadcast antenna is located on Three Rock Mountain, County Dublin at 5 kW, and can be heard in Dublin and neighbouring counties. 98FM also has a relay in north County Dublin, broadcasting on 97.4 MHz. Since 2022 the station has been marketed as "Dublin's Good Times"

Landmark Media Investments was a media holding company owned by Tom Crosbie and his father Ted Crosbie with Irish newspaper, radio and digital investments. Their ownership was via Rinvery Ltd. Landmark Media Investments was established in February 2013 and acquired several assets of Thomas Crosbie Holdings in March 2013. Landmark Media Investments sold all their media interests to The Irish Times in July 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denzil Lacey</span> Irish radio producer (born 1990)

Denzil Lacey is an Irish radio producer, currently employed by SiriusXM. Radio stations he has worked at since 2006 include 98FM, East Coast FM, Dublin's Country Mix 106.8, Dublin City FM, RTÉ 2fm and FM104.

References

  1. ↑ "Dúisigh le Lauren Ní Loingsigh – Red FM".
  2. ↑ Murphy, David (16 January 2002). "Cork pop station goes on air today". Irish Independent . Dublin. ISSN   0021-1222. Archived from the original on 19 August 2009. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
  3. ↑ "Bauer Media Audio Completes Acquisition of Cork's Red FM". Bauer Media Audio. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "Listnership improves at Cork's RedFM". TheCork.ie. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016.
  5. ↑ "The Irish Times to acquire Landmark Media business". Irish Examiner . Cork. 6 December 2017. ISSN   1393-9564. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "Irish Times completes purchase of Irish Examiner". RTÉ.ie . 10 July 2018. Archived from the original on 11 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Irish Times complete purchase of Landmark Media; Pledge to protect 'identity and independence' of titles". Irish Examiner . Cork. 10 July 2018. ISSN   1393-9564. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  8. ↑ "Bauer Media Audio agrees deal to buy Cork's Red FM". The Irish Times. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  9. ↑ Healy, Alison (1 March 2023). "Bauer Media Audio Completes Acquisition of Cork's Red FM". Bauer Media Audio Ireland. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  10. ↑ O'Callaghan, Gavin (7 July 2023). "Dave Mac presents last RedFM show while Philip Bourke also set to leave". Cork Beo. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  11. ↑ Fitton, Daire (23 July 2023). "Cork radio host Izzy Showbizzy says farewell to RedFM after 12 years on air". Cork Beo. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  12. ↑ http://www.bai.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/20130117_EOI_Ad_Tabloid_24Jan_v.Final_AC.pdf [ dead link ]
  13. ↑ "Our media". Thomas Crosbie Holdings . Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Receiver appointed to publisher of Irish Examiner". RTÉ.ie . 6 March 2013. Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  15. ↑ "New CEO for Red FM". RadioNation. 15 March 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2013.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.