RTÉ Radio 1 hits four 400k shows as new line-up lands

Ireland’s radio landscape is seeing shifts in listenership, with RTÉ Radio 1 experiencing growth, RTÉ lyric fm reaching new heights, and RTÉ 2FM navigating a changing audience, according to the latest Joint National Listenership Research figures.

Radio 1 Gains Momentum

RTÉ Radio 1 now commands a 20.3% share of the adult audience, a rise reflected in its weekly listenership which has increased by 12,000 to 1,388,000. Notably, the station is also attracting a younger demographic, with its share among 15 to 34-year-olds growing from 6.6% to 7.3%.

Did You Know? RTÉ Radio 1 now boasts four flagship shows each attracting over 400,000 listeners.

Morning Ireland remains the country’s most popular radio show, reaching 467,000 listeners, despite a slight decrease of 4,000 listeners compared to the previous reporting period. Today with David McCullagh has secured the number two spot with 440,000 listeners. Other popular shows include Oliver Callan’s program with 308,000 listeners, News at One with 279,000, and Liveline, now hosted by Kieran Cuddihy, with 280,000 listeners.

Weekend Programming Proves Popular

Weekend programming on Radio 1 continues to perform strongly, led by Brendan O’Connor. His Saturday show reaches 429,000 listeners, while his Sunday program attracts 418,000. Sunday Miscellany reaches 338,000 listeners, and Sunday with Miriam has 341,000 listeners. The Business has climbed to 370,000 listeners, and Playback has 349,000 listeners. Countrywide has increased to 272,000 listeners.

Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio at RTÉ, stated that the new Radio 1 schedule is “all about delivering for the audience” and that the latest figures demonstrate the station’s success across a variety of genres.

Lyric FM Reaches All-Time High

RTÉ lyric fm is experiencing a period of sustained growth, now reaching 342,000 listeners weekly. This represents an all-time high share of 3.1%, up from 2.6% over the past year. Marty in the Morning, hosted by Marty Whelan, attracts 77,000 listeners.

Expert Insight: The continued growth of RTÉ lyric fm suggests a sustained audience interest in classical and specialist music programming, potentially indicating a demographic seeking alternatives to mainstream radio formats.

Marty Whelan expressed his delight with the figures, stating, “It’s lovely news, because you just never know until it happens.”

2FM Navigates Audience Shifts

RTÉ 2FM reaches 645,000 listeners each week. 2FM Breakfast has 121,000 listeners, while Laura Fox has 120,000 and Tracy Clifford has 105,000 listeners. Demi and Mikey on 2FM Drive have 126,000 listeners, broadcasting from the RTÉ Cork studios. Weekend programming includes Katja Mia with 128,000 listeners on Saturdays and 108,000 on Sundays, and Weekend Drive with Emma and Graham with 100,000 and 82,000 listeners respectively.

Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, acknowledged a “small dip” in adult market share, attributing it to the introduction of new presenters through a recent recruitment process. He stated that plans are in place for 2026 to ensure 2FM continues to appeal to its target audience of 15 to 34-year-olds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall reach of RTÉ radio services?

Across the week, RTÉ’s radio services hold a 29% share of the national audience, reaching almost two million people every week.

Which show currently has the largest listenership in Ireland?

Morning Ireland remains the most listened-to show in the country with 467,000 listeners.

How is “Book on Book” listenership measured?

“Book on book” (BoB) compares average programme listenership across the four previous three-month periods.

As radio audiences continue to evolve, will RTÉ’s stations be able to maintain their current levels of success and adapt to changing listener preferences?