iRadio has been granted a ten-year renewal of its franchise serving 15 counties.
The BAI awarded Wilton Radio (trading as iRadio) a ten-year Sound Broadcasting Service licence at its recent Board meeting.
The Youth Music service which launched in 2008 has 227,000 daily listeners and broadcasts to the West, North West, North East & Midlands.
It serves Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Longford, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Laois & Offaly.
Chief Executive Mark Cunning is understandably delighted with the announcement: “I’m thrilled for staff and listeners. I see this as a vote of confidence in what we’ve been doing.
“We can begin to put into action our plans for 2020 and beyond. This clarity is welcome. I’m buying all the staff 99s to celebrate!”
iRadio Chairman Willie O’Reilly commented: “This is a red letter day for the board. iRadio launched in the teeth of the recession, but with the support of its shareholders, it has ridden the storm and is now entering a period of profitability and increased popularity.
“We are now more popular than any local or national station in our franchise area. Our best days lie ahead.”
In the photo: L to R: Annmarie Holloway (iTeam), Conor Thompson (iTeam), Jonathan Duane (Technical Solutions Manager), Aisling Flanagan (Office Coordinator and iTeam Manager), Hazel Fleming (Head of Integration), Lisa McConn (Finance Director), Mark Cunning (CEO), Charlie Cunning (Mark’s son), Ciaran Bennett (iRadio intern), Sharon Lynskey (iRadio presenter), Bonnie Dunne (iTeam).