LATEST JNLR RTÉ LISTENERSHIP FIGURES RELEASED
RTÉ remains the most-listened-to radio group in Ireland
28.8% market share with almost 2 million people listening every week
RTÉ holds 17 of the top 20 programmes and the entire top 10
RTÉ Radio 1 maintains its position as Ireland’s number one radio station with more than 1.3 million listeners every week and four shows over 400,000
RTÉ lyric fm hits an all-time high of 3.6% market share as all weekday programmes make gains
RTÉ 2FM continues to deliver for young audiences with a 9.3% share of 15 – 34 year olds
The latest JNLR results confirm RTÉ as the most listened to radio group in Ireland, at an exciting moment for audio across RTÉ, with the launch of the new RTÉ audio app coming later this year and a new slate of podcasts to be announced soon.
As RTÉ marks the centenary year of public service media in Ireland, the latest figures are a reminder of radio’s unique role in Irish life through the stories it tells, the voices it champions and the connection it has built with audiences over the last 100 years.
RTÉ Radio 1 reaffirms its position as Ireland’s biggest radio station and the go-to destination for adult audiences across the country reaching more than 1.3 million listeners every week and with four flagship shows over 400,000 listeners. The reinvigorated schedule sees RTÉ Radio 1 continue to evolve while remaining at the heart of national conversation and culture.
RTÉ 2FM continues to deliver for young audiences with a 9.3% share of 15 – 34-year-olds as it continues its evolution with a fresh new schedule, bringing new talent, new energy and a renewed ambition. This summer, 2FM will also be out on the road at festivals and events across the country, meeting audiences where they are and connecting directly with listeners through music, entertainment and stories from across the nation.
RTÉ lyric fm is now at an all-time high with a market share of 3.6%, up almost a full percentage point year on year from 2.7%. This reflects a strong listener appetite for its distinctive mix of classical music, arts, culture and conversations.
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta continues to be a vital service for Irish-speaking communities and other audiences across the country through news and current affairs, music, culture and sporting programmes. With outside broadcasts from a range of programmes happening across the nation from Daingean Uí Chúis to Belfast, Cill Charthaigh, Miltown Malbay, Ráth Chairn and beyond, the station is an asset and supports the continued growth and everyday use of Irish. Raidió na Gaeltachta currently has 96,000 listeners tuning in weekly, with weekend share growth for both Saturday and Sunday, Book on Book.
Speaking on the latest figures, Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio, RTÉ said: “As we mark 100 years of public service media in Ireland, the latest figures demonstrate Ireland’s ongoing connection to and love of radio. I’m really heartened to see RTÉ lyric fm is at an historic high in its market share, now at 3.6%. lyric fm is a precious resource for its hundreds of thousands of listeners, more and more of whom are joining every year.
It’s also gratifying in this centenary year that RTÉ Radio 1 retains its position as Ireland’s biggest radio station, with four flagship shows continuing to bring in over 400,000 listeners as the new schedule continues to bed in.
RTÉ 2FM meanwhile has held its market share at 5% and is continuing to deliver for young audiences across Ireland with a 9.3% share of that demographic. We’ve a big summer ahead as 2FM goes on the road for festivals all over Ireland – 2FM will truly offer the sound of the summer this year.”
RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1 reaches 1,356,000 listeners weekly.
Morning Ireland remains Ireland’s most-listened-to radio programme with 452,000 listeners this book.
Today with David McCullagh has 423,000 listeners from 9-11am.
Oliver Callan has 296,000 listeners each day in his new slot from 11am-1pm.
News at One has 275,000 listeners.
Liveline has a listenership of 268,000 with presenter Kieran Cuddihy at the helm.
The Louise Duffy Show has 145,000 listeners tuning in for easy listening and great music in her new 3pm slot.
Drivetime with Katie Hannon and Colm Ó Mongáin has 211,000 listeners tuning in each evening from 4-6pm.
Over on Weekends, Brendan O’Connor on Saturday has 414,000 listeners (+51,000 YoY), with 409,000 listeners (+40,000 YoY) tuning in on Sunday.
Playback on Saturday has 324,000 listeners.
The Business on Saturday mornings has 372,000 listeners. (+52,000 YoY)
Saturday Sport/Doc On One from 2-6pm on RTÉ Radio 1 has 218,000 listeners. (+19,000 YoY)
Sunday Miscellany has 308,000 listeners. (+24,000 YoY)
Sunday with Miriam has 334,000 listeners. (+30,000 YoY)
This Week has 198,000 listeners on Sunday. (+14,000 YoY)
Sunday Sport has 199,000 listeners tuning in. (+16,000 YoY)
Inside Sport has 85,000 listeners every weekday.
Arena has 44,000 listeners every weekday evening.
The John Creedon Show has 55,000 listeners on weeknights.
Starting off the mornings, Rising Time with Shay Byrne has 59,000 listeners on weekdays.
On weekends, Rising Time with Lillian has 80,000 listeners on Saturday and 63,000 listeners on Sunday.
Tara Campbell, Head of RTÉ Radio 1, said: “As our new schedule continues to bed in, RTÉ Radio 1 remains the biggest radio station in the country. We have seen huge year on year growth on many of our weekend programmes with Brendan O’Connor up 51,000 (Saturdays) and 40,000 (Sundays), The Business is up 52,000 and Sunday with Miriam up 30,000 on this time last year. As always, our hard-working teams on air and behind the scenes put in enormous effort on a daily basis to deliver for our listeners across news and current affairs, arts and culture, music, sport and entertainment.”
RTÉ 2FM
RTÉ 2FM continues its evolution with a fresh new schedule, bringing new talent, new energy and a renewed ambition. This summer, 2FM will also be out on the road at festivals and events across the country, meeting audiences where they are and connecting directly with listeners through music, entertainment and stories from across the nation.
2FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz and Aisling has 121,000 listeners tuning in on weekday mornings.
2FM Morning with Laura Fox on 2FM had 119,000 listeners for her 9am-12pm show. Laura now presents 2FM Drive with Katja Mia from 3pm-6pm.
2FM Afternoon with Tracy Clifford had 102,000 listeners enjoying the best of Irish music and the home of RTÉ 2FM Rising.
2FM Drive with Demi & Mikey entertained listeners across the country on their evening commute with 124,000 listeners. Demi & Mikey’s slot has now moved to 12 noon – 3pm.
Weekends on 2FM with Katja Mia had 115,000 listeners on Saturdays and 118,000 listeners on Sundays (+10,000 BoB). Bláthnaid Treacy has returned to this slot following maternity leave.
2FM Weekend Afternoon with Helen & Benny/Demi & Mikey/ Aindriú & Taran has 125,000 listeners on Saturdays and on Sundays they have 77,000 listeners.
2FM Weekend Drive with Emma & Graham has 92,000 listeners on Saturdays and 86,000 listeners on Sundays. (+4,000 BoB)
Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, said: “This is a stable result for 2FM and these numbers tell us our foundation is solid. We also continue to experience growth across weekend programming, which we are thrilled about.
We are proud of our new schedule and how it reflects life in Ireland today and believe that our presenters and programmes will resonate with young Irish audiences. All the programmes have settled in with such ease that it feels like they were always part of the station. This is massively down to our hardworking and creative team in 2FM. And as always… a big thank you to our listeners from everyone at the station.”
RTÉ lyric fm
RTÉ lyric fm continues its steady rise with audiences, now reaching 359,000 listeners every week and has once again increased its share to an all-time high of 3.6%. The station’s blend of world-class music and engaging presenters is attracting listeners of all ages across its schedule.
Marty in the Morning has 85,000 listeners (+14,000 YoY) tuning in every weekday morning.
Lorcan Murray’s Classic Drive takes 73,000 listeners into the evening each weekday (+14,000 YoY).
Liz Nolan’s The Full Score/ Aedín in the Afternoon (Friday) have 62,000 listeners. (+12,000 YoY).
Niall Carroll’s Classical Daytime on weekdays has 54,000 listeners (+13,000 YoY).
The Mystery Train with John Kelly (Monday-Thursday)/ RTÉ lyric Live with Paul Herriott (Friday) has 31,000 listeners.
Aedín Gormley’s Movies and Musicals every Saturday afternoon has 65,000 listeners.
Sunday Afternoon with Simon Delaney has 59,000 listeners.
Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle has 50,000 listeners on Saturdays and on Sundays the programme has 51,000 listeners (+3,000 YoY).
The Hamilton Scores with George Hamilton have 45,000 listeners on Saturdays and 40,000 on Sundays.
Opera Night with Paul Herriott has 38,000 listeners on Saturdays. (+15,000 YoY)
Suaimhneas on Saturday evenings has 34,000 listeners.
The Lyric Feature on Sunday evenings has 32,000 listeners. (+6,000 YoY)
Sinéad Wylde, Head of RTÉ lyric fm, said: “This book sees its highest ever number of listeners with an all-time high market share of 3.6%. On RTÉ lyric fm we continue to bring beautiful music and arts content into the lives of listeners throughout the country, enriching their everyday lives. Once again, these results highlight how lyric’s presenters and production teams connect with listeners in a warm and creative way, in a space Where Life Sounds Better.
The RTÉ lyric fm team is really looking forward to getting out and about this summer and meeting our lovely listeners at events like Bloom in the Phoenix Park at the end of the month and recording Ambient Orbit from Oileán Chléire (Cape Clear) for the summer solstice in June. Ambient Orbit and Marty in the Morning will be coming from Kilkenny Arts Festival on Thursday August 6. RTÉ lyric Live also has a two week presence at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival in Bantry with six live concerts including first three live to the EBU from 26 June up to 5 July. Marty Whelan will take to the stage for Marty in the Evening live with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on September 11 and 12.”
-ENDS-
Maureen Catterson, RTÉ Communications Manager
Sharon Sorohan, RTÉ Senior Communications Lead
Rayna Connery, RTÉ Senior Communications Lead