The figures are out – and the latest listening information from around the groups and around the stations are now available.
The latest results show daily radio listening at 84% – meaning 84% of all adults listening every weekday. They tune in, on average, for almost 4 hours per day during the prime 7am to 7pm time.
In terms of share of all minutes listened, national radio currently has 46% share of all minutes while local/regional radio holds the majority share position with 54%.
However, in Dublin, national radio holds the majority share position in Dublin while local/regional radio is in the majority in the other regions throughout the country, in particular achieving its highest share position in the North and South West regions.
Commercial Radio continues to dominate listening, with the combined number for independent radio being 67.9% of the market between 7am and 7pm each weekday while the RTÉ stations of RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2FM and Lyric FM take 32.1% of the total market.
“Survey after survey we have to endure spin that suggests RTÉ commands the radio market in this country,” said John Purcell, Chairman of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland “An examination of the JNLR data on a franchise area by franchise area basis reveals the picture that the RTÉ stations are comprehensively beaten in the listenership stakes everywhere around the country by Independent Radio while in the crucial Dublin market RTÉ stations are clinging on to only 40% of the market”.
Highlights from RTÉ are that Radio 1 Weekday Reach is a steady 24% with 868,000 listeners, and remains the only station in Ireland with a weekly reach of over 1m.
RTÉ Radio 2 remains steady at 11% and RTÉ lyric FM keeps its 116,000 listeners.
Commenting on the latest figures Clare Duignan, Managing Director, RTÉ Radio said: “PPI National Station of the Year Radio 1 is the clear number one for listeners. Overall, it’s a mixed bag for all national radio stations in this latest book, but critically Radio 1 is the only national station to record stability in the key breakfast slot, while the book-on-book gain for The John Murray Show indicates that John’s unique mix of human interest and humour is being embraced by listeners.
Today FM was the only national station to show growth in its daily audience numbers in 2012. 907,000 listeners tune into Ireland’s largest national independent station on a weekly basis. 470,000 listen each weekday, extending its lead further over 2FM by 88,000.
Today FM’s CEO, Peter McPartlin said: “Today FM’s performance is testament to the consistent quality of our shows. With emigration in our core audience of 20-44 year olds at such high levels, for us to have been the only national station to show growth in overall audience numbers last year, is very encouraging” .
Around the country, Beat 102-103 has attracted an extra 16,000 listeners over the last 12 months, and now has 150,000 weekly listeners in the South East.
Gabrielle Cummins, Chief Executive & Programme Controller of Beat 102-103, says she is absolutely delighted with these latest results: “In this current difficult climate, it’s brilliant that Beat 102-103 continues to consistently outperform locals and national stations across the South East.
“Everyone here works extremely hard to ensure we remain at Number One among our 15 to 34 target market but what’s also fantastic is how many adults are making us their station of choice.
In Cork, 202,000 people listen to Cork’s 96FM and C103 – a 49% share of adults in the City and County. The stations also recorded the largest quarter hour audience of any Irish local independent station at an all time high of just over 60,000.
Chief Executive of Corks 96FM and C103, Kieran McGeary told RadioToday: “These results prove the consistency of our product. Cork’s 96FM and C103 continue to maintain our dominant position despite our increased competition both locally and nationally. We are totally committed to serving Cork and clearly Cork is committed to us”.
In Kildare, Kfm has increased market share by 5.8%. Something which Programme Director Stephen Keogh is delighted at:
“It’s really satisfying that so many listeners are tuning into Kfm, and crucially listening for longer. The diversity of service offered by Kfm is clearly something that listeners want, and our variety of programmes illustrates the scale of what Kfm offers. We have recorded a twelve month market share increase of 7.3%, which, from a business perspective is a fantastic result, essentially giving advertisers and sponsors even better value for money”
And in Limerick, the JNLR survey confirms that more than 7 out of every 10 people in Limerick tune in to Live 95FM every week.
“We are thrilled with the latest listenership results, which are another vote of confidence in the team here at the radio station and the product we are delivering to the people of Limerick city and county. It is a privilege to serve this community and one that we never take for granted. We are also grateful to our advertisers, who continue to trust us to deliver their message to their Limerick customers,” said Joe Nash, Chief Executive of Live 95FM.
Here’s how the Weekday Market Share 7am – 7pm looks:
The full PDF of facts and figures are available online here, and email us via news@radiotoday.ie to let us know how your station did.
If you liked this story, we can email you more radio news and alerts. Just fill in the form below.