Independent radio has a strong hold on the national radio market despite a small fall in listenership, the latest JNLR figures have revealed.
Local radio records a listenership of 54 per cent, down 1 per cent from last year. Today FM retains 15 per cent of the share, according to the figures released today for 2001.
RTÉ’s classical arts and music station Lyric FM increased its listenership to 4 per cent, RTÉ Radio 1’s listenership remains at 30 per cent, and 2FM fell by 1 per cent to 27 per cent.
The independent sector has 53 per cent of the market share, Today FM having increased its market share to 9 per cent.
According to Mr Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI), the new figures demonstrate "the continued success of independent radio".
RTÉ Radio's Morning Irelandis still the most popular radio show, with a total of 485,000 listeners, an increase of 5,000.
RTÉ Radio announced today that the programme, which is presented by Mr David Hanly, Ms Aine Lawlor and Mr Cathal MacCoille, will be starting at the new time of 7 a.m. from Tuesday, March 19th, a half hour earlier than at the moment.
RTÉ Radio 1 remains the most popular radio station in Ireland, with seven of the top ten national radio shows coming from it. The remaining three in the top ten come from 2FM.