Ireland's Classic Hits Radio

Last updated

Ireland's Classic Hits Radio
Classichits2023.jpg
Broadcast area Greater Dublin, County Cork, County Limerick, County Clare and Galway
Frequency 94.9 FM (Dublin)
94.8 FM (Cork)
94.6–97.4 MHz, 104.2–104.9 MHz
Programming
Language(s)English
Format Adult contemporary/classic hits
Ownership
OwnerChoice Broadcasting Ltd
History
First air date
27 February 2009 (2009-02-27)
Former names
4FM, Classic Hits 4FM
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website classichits.ie

Ireland's Classic HitsRadio is an Irish independent multi-region radio station based in Dublin, and broadcasting to that city as well as Cork, Limerick, Galway, County Clare, County Wicklow, County Kildare, County Meath. It can also be picked up in parts of County Kerry, County Tipperary, County Waterford, County Wexford and County Mayo. [1]

Contents

The station broadcasts under a sound broadcasting contract from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, aimed at Ireland's four main commuter belts, hence its original name of "4FM". It later went by "Classic Hits 4FM", dropping the "4FM" part in 2018 and becoming Ireland's Classic Hits Radio in 2021. [1] [2]

The station is part of Bay Broadcasting Limited, which also has interests in Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8.

2021-2023 Logo Ireland's Classic Hits Radio logo.jpg
2021-2023 Logo
2018-2021 Logo Classic Hits (Ireland) logo.png
2018-2021 Logo
2016-2018 Logo Classic Hits 4FM Logo.png
2016-2018 Logo

Programming

Ireland's Classic Hits's slogan is The Home of The 80s and 90s and it has mainly adult contemporary/classic hits focused driven format with music from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, with occasional songs from the 2010s and small amounts of classic country and hot adult contemporary titles.

The station's flagship breakfast show, The Colm & Lucy Breakfast Show, is presented by Colm Hayes and Lucy Kennedy with other presenters including Trina Mara, Niall Boylan, Damien Farrelly, Gareth O'Callaghan, Ruth Scott, Adrian Kennedy, Barry Lang, Enda Murphy, Lisa Gernon and Meghann Scully. Niall Boylan hosts two daily phone-in shows from 12:00-14:00 and 21:00-23:00. The show won the best talk show award at the New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards Gala in June 2017.

A four-hour drivetime show is hosted by former 2FM presenter Damian Farrelly.

The station has a commitment to regularly playing Irish music, which it promotes under the slogan Guaranteed Irish. A specialist Irish-language programme is hosted on Sunday nights by Meghann Scully.

Additional specialist programming includes the twice-daily segment Classic Song Investigation, Classic Love Songs and Club Classics

In 2021 the station announced that Kim Wilde would present a custom version of 'The Kim Wilde 80s Show' each weekday evening at 6pm. In addition, the station announced the return of broadcaster Gareth O'Callaghan to its schedule in January 2022.

Programming is broadcast from its digital studios located at Castleforbes House in Dublin's Docklands area.

Former Presenters

The breakfast show was previously presented by PJ and Damien Farrelly, before that Jim McCabe and originally Gareth O'Callaghan.

Awards

YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResult
2012Classic Hits 4FMPPI Radio Awards Community/Social ActionGold
2012Classic Hits 4FMPPI Radio Awards Station ImagingBronze
2015The Niall Boylan ShowPPI Radio Awards Interactive Speech ProgrammeGold
2012The Niall Boylan ShowNew York Radio Awards Human InterestSilver
2013Classic Hits 4FMNew York Radio Awards Community ServiceBronze
2013The Niall Boylan ShowNew York Radio Awards Best Scheduled Talk ShowBronze
2014Niall BoylanNew York Radio Awards Speech Broadcaster of the YearSilver
2013Classic Hits 4FMThe Love Radio Awards Best Radio Station Ad (National)Silver
2013Classic Hits 4FMThe Love Radio Awards Best Government/Public SectorSilver
2013Classic Hits 4FMThe Love Radio Awards Best RetailSilver
2013Classic Hits 4FMThe Love Radio Awards Best Radio Station Ad (National)Gold
2014Classic Hits 4FMThe Love Radio Awards Best Motor TradeGold
2014Classic Hits 4FMThe Love Radio Awards Best Radio Station Ad (National)Bronze
2014Classic Hits 4FMThe Love Radio Awards Best Radio Station Ad (National)Gold
2014Classic Hits 4FMThe Love Radio Awards Best Radio Station Ad (National)Silver
2016Classic Hits 4FMThe Love Radio Awards Best Motor TradeSilver

Frequencies

Cork

FrequencyTransmitterService areaPower
94.8 MHzFarmer's CrossCork City and SE Cork1.6 kW
94.8 MHzSeskin (Bantry)Bantry and SW CorkN/A
95.2 MHzFermoyFermoy0.1 kW
95.4 MHzNowen HillWest Cork5 kW
97.2 MHzYoughalYoughal0.1 kW
97.4 MHzBweeng MountainNorth Cork, North East Cork and parts of South and East Limerick2.5 kW
97.4 MHzCarrigalineCarrigaline, Crosshaven, Cobh and surrounding areas0.1 kW

Limerick/Clare

FrequencyTransmitterService areaPower
104.2 MHzWoodcock HillLimerick City and County5 kW
104.6 MHzMagheraCounty Clare, parts of County Limerick, County Galway and some parts of County Kerry and parts of County Mayo50 kW

Galway

FrequencyTransmitterService areaPower
104.2 MHzClifdenWest Galway1 kW
104.9 MHz Tonabrocky Galway city, parts of County Mayo and surrounding areas10 kW

Greater Dublin

FrequencyTransmitterService areaPower
94.6 MHz Saggart Hill Commuter belt areas of north County Kildare and east County Meath 0.5 kW
94.9 MHz Three Rock Mountain Dublin city and county1.5 kW
94.6 MHz Bray Head Bray, Greystones and North Wicklow0.2 kW

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References

  1. 1 2 "Press Releases 2009 - BCI SIGNS CONTRACT WITH 4FM FOR FIRST MULTI-CITY SERVICE". Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. 19 February 2009. Archived from the original on 2 April 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  2. "Former RTÉ radio & TV host Derek Davis has died". 13 May 2015.