Galway Bay FM

Last updated

Galway Bay FM
Frequency 95.8 MHz
Programming
Languages
Ownership
OwnerBay Broadcasting
History
Founded1989;36 years ago (1989)
Former names
Radio West
Links
Website www.galwaybayfm.ie

Galway Bay FM is an Irish independent local radio station and operates under a licence from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. [1] Established in 1989, [2] the station broadcasts from studios in Galway, serving the city and County Galway.

Contents

Programming

The programming format is a mixture of music, news, sport, current affairs and local issues. [3] Programmes are generally in English, although the station features some Irish language programmes. There is an opt-out service with alternative programming for Galway city on weekday evenings using the 95.8 MHz frequency.

History

The station was originally launched as Radio West in 1989 [4] [5] and was the first legal local radio station in Galway. [2] Radio West changed its name to Galway Bay FM in 1993.

In 2006, the Connacht Tribune newspaper bought the station outright, having previously owned 27% of it. [4]

In 2024 Galway Bay FM had the largest market share of listeners in County Galway at 23%, with 115,000 weekly listeners. This was four percentage points ahead of RTE Radio 1 and Today FM. [4]

In June 2025, it was announced that the station had been sold to Bay Broadcasting Limited, owners of Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio in an estimated seven figure deal, The acquisition was completed on 17 October 2025. [6]

Alumni

References

  1. ↑ "Galway Bay FM Contact details". Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. Archived from the original on 10 March 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  2. 1 2 "August 20, 1989 THE IRISH EMIGRANT Issue No.133". Emigrant Online. 20 August 1989. Archived from the original on 24 November 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  3. ↑ "DETERMINATION OF MERGER NOTIFICATION M/06/067 – CONNACHT TRIBUNE/GALWAY BAY FM". Competition Authority. 24 October 2006. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Carey, Brian (1 December 2024). "Race on to acquire Galway media businesses". The Times . Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "Sale of local radio station nets Galway county board a €800,000 windfall". Irish Independent. 28 December 2006. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  6. ↑ "Galway Bay FM sold to Bay Broadcasting subject to clearance". RadioToday. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.


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