EMBARGO: MONDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER, 2PM
THREE MILLION LISTENERS!
RAY D’ARCY AND RYAN TUBRIDY CELEBRATE RECORD-BREAKING FIGURES FOR IRISH RADIO
Latest radio research shows that over three million people* now listen to Irish radio every weekday. Rival radio presenters Today FM’s Ray D’Arcy and RTÉ Radio 1’s Ryan Tubridy joined forces today to celebrate the record-breaking figures that demonstrate
- More people than ever are listening to Irish radio, 86% of Irish people listen to radio everyday
- Latest research shows that 3,043,000 are now listening, this is the highest radio listenership figure on record for Ireland*
Speaking today about the popularity of radio Ryan Tubridy said: “Irish people just love radio. We’re a nation of talkers but also a nation of listeners and our appetite for every type of radio is clearly very healthy. Radio is not only standing the test of time, it’s actually thriving, in spite of all the other media choices that are out there.”
Ray D’Arcy added: “Radio has got certain qualities that make it a truly unique medium. When I’m on air I feel like I’m talking to one other person, that’s the intimacy, but at the same time, there are thousands of people sharing the conversation and that’s where radio is about sharing and creating communities of listeners”.
Not only are more Irish people tuning into radio but Irish people listen to radio for longer than most European radio listeners, tuning in for nearly four hours each a day.
Radio is very popular amongst all age groups in Ireland**. 84% of 15 to 19 year olds listen to radio while 87% of over 65s also listen to radio on the average weekday.
Most Irish people listen to radio on traditional FM radios, however anecdotally it appears that more and more people are also tuning to radio online, on PCs at home, in the office or the workplace, as well as on mobile devices such as mobile phones, mp3 players and through digital platforms such as digital television and radio.
Today’s photo shoot with Ryan and Ray is part of Choose Radio, a joint radio industry campaign to promote radio undertaken by the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and RTÉ Radio. As part of this campaign on Wednesday (09/0909) radio listeners nationwide will hear the same radio advertisement on thirty-six radio stations nationwide, just after 9am.
Date: 7th September 2009
For further information:
Sarah Martin, Tel: 087 750 1850, Email: sarah.martin@rte.ie
Laurie Mannix, MKC Communications, Tel: 01-7038600, Email: Laurie@mkc.ie
Notes to Editor
*Note 1:
3,043,000 is the highest (adult 15+ weekday reach) figure ever recorded for radio listening in Ireland. The current adult 15+ population estimate is 3,532,000.
Source: JNLR/TNSmrbi 2009/2
**Note 2:
Listened Yesterday Summary Weekday Total 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
Any Radio 86% 84% 85% 85% 87% 87% 88% 87%
Source: MediaStar JNLR/TNSmrbi 2009/2
About Choose Radio
Choose Radio is a joint radio industry initiative under the auspices of Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and RTÉ Radio. Choose Radio aims to promote the power of radio as a marketing medium, whether it is for advertising, sponsorship or promotions. Carat Ireland and Cawley Nea have contributed pro bono to the first Choose Radio marketing campaign.
About IBI
The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) is the representative body for Ireland’s independent commercial radio broadcasters. The mission of the IBI is to champion the agenda of independent broadcasters in Ireland and to be a distinct and coherent national voice in the ongoing campaign for competitive equality across the sector.
The independent voice of Ireland, the IBI’s 33 radio stations reach 68% of the population on a daily basis. This translates into combined weekday reach figures of 2.412 million listeners. With more than 1500 people employed in the sector, independent broadcasters make a significant economic, social and cultural contribution to the Irish economy. The IBI represents 2 national radio stations, 1 multicity, 4 regional radio stations and 26 local radio stations. For more information please visit: www.ibireland.ie
About RTÉ Radio
RTÉ Radio, Ireland’s public service broadcaster, broadcasts Ireland’s Top 10 most popular radio programmes and its three national services, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ lyric fm, reach a weekday audience of 39%. RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ 2fm both reach over a million listeners each week, with 1.363 million listeners tuning into RTÉ Radio 1 and 1.078 million tuning into RTÉ 2fm across the seven day week.
Ireland’s top broadcasting talent including Ryan Tubridy, Pat Kenny, Gerry Ryan, Joe Duffy, Marian Finucane, Miriam O’Callaghan, Derek Mooney and Mary Wilson all broadcast on RTÉ Radio. Its high quality news, current affairs, entertainment, lifestyle, arts and features programming reflects the cultural and regional diversity of Ireland and is the unifying source of national participation in all major events.
RTÉ Radio delivers a total of 11 nationwide services. Four FM services; RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and seven digital services: RTÉ Choice, RTÉ Gold, RTÉ Junior, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse, RTÉ Chill and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. The services are available to listen to on FM, DAB, online, via Chorus NTL and Sky and worldwide via satellite. For further information on RTÉ Radio visit: www.rte.ie/radio
