Christmas FM : Ireland's Christmas Station : 2010

Bard

Christmas FM is on the air!

Frequencies are: Dublin - 89.9 | Limerick -105.5 | Cork -106.7 | Galway -89.5 | South East -103.8

The station can also be heard on http://www.christmasfm.ie/ and via an iPhone app available here.

It's just test transmissions for the moment, - the live broadcasts start with the Breakfast Show at 8am with Keith Shanley.

I'll be doing a show myself on Saturday nights from 8 to 10pm (still have to decide on a name for it.. suggestions appreciated!).

Texts to 57000 (start your message with "XMAS") will cost 1 euro and all profits will go to this year's charity partner, Barnardos. The station hopes to raise over €100,000 for them.

ste88m

Hi,

Any way of getting involved with the station?

Ste.

Brenireland

great station/great cause.
If volunteers needed I would also be willing to help out!

Bard

ste88m wrote: »

Hi,

Any way of getting involved with the station?

Ste.

Well they're going on air tomorrow morning so, as you can imagine, they have all the presenters, producers, etc. they need in place by now. The street promotion teams are being run by Barnardos themselves this year. In what way did you want to get involved?

ste88m

Bard wrote: »

Well they're going on air tomorrow morning so, as you can imagine, they have all the presenters, producers, etc. they need in place by now. The street promotion teams are being run by Barnardos themselves this year. In what way did you want to get involved?

Should have looked into it earlier alright.

Presenting / News / Sport.

Then again, I'm also going to be away a fair bit in December so I might have to give it a miss.


Great station though, all the best to those involved.

Bard

Yes, it would have been good to have inquired earlier. Presenting is sorted and they won't be doing news/sport - well not in the 'traditional sense' anyway. There will be a news service similar to what they did last year, in that there will be "Christmas Stories" (A mixture of real and fantasy .. Christmas themed happy news which ignores anything too serious - i.e.: bailout/NAMA/politics etc.) and "Traffic & Travel" presented during the Breakfast show.


[EDIT]: Incidentally, it's been pointed out to me that, under the forum charter, this should be appearing in the "pimp my show" thread and not stickied. I believed that this station merited an exception to that rule and I think the reasons why are obvious (i.e.: because it's a temporary/charity station and a very good cause - not specifically because I'm involved in it!). The sticky will be removed in 4 weeks. If you wish to discuss this decision or any other charter/rules based decisions, do so via PM with the moderators, NOT on the thread.

washiskin

whats the story with the Christmas Jumpers?
Are they on sale yet?

bureau2009

Fave Christmas songs:

Wizzard
(Roy Wood is a genius, when will X Factor discover the next Roy Wood??!!)

Elton John

Gilbert O'Sullivan - one we don't hear very often

and my Mum likes David Essex - Winter's Tale!

Bard

Schedule looks like this (for the first week anyway):

Weekdays:

Midnight - 7am : Overnight
Automated
7 - 10am : Christmas Breakfast
Keith Shanley (Mon-Thu) and Garv Rigby (Fri)
10am - 1pm: An All Christmas Morning
Noel McCaul (Mon), Doug Murray (Tue), Jim Kenny (Wed & Thu) and Daragh O'Sullivan (Fri)
1pm - 4pm: Christmas @ Work
Niall Boylan (Mon & Thu), Isobel Tobin (Tue), Chris Barry (Wed & Fri)
4pm - 7pm: Driving Home For Christmas
Enda Caldwell (Mon & Wed), Mathieu Norrie (Tue), Chris Murray (Thu & Fri)
7pm - 10pm: Jingle Bell Rock
Niall Cassidy (Mon), Mike Eastwood (Tue), Noel McCaul (Wed & Thu), Stevie Bolger (Fri)
10pm - Midnight: Christmas Classics
Bernie Jameson (Mon), Lucianne White (Tue), Wendy Grace (Wed), Ray Jackson (Thu), Declan Ralph (Fri)

Bard

Saturday:

Midnight - 7am : Overnight
Automated
7 - 10am : Winter Wonderland
Dave Hynes
10am - 12pm : Christmas Countdown
Daragh O'Sullivan
12pm - 5pm : Continuous Christmas Classics
Jacki Ascough (12-2) & Lynsey Dolan (2-5)
5pm - 8pm : Teatime Show*
Mike Eastwood
8pm - 10pm : Saturday Night Show*
Niall O'Keeffe
10pm - 1am : The Best Christmas Party Ever!
Gary Matthews

*: Show name TBC

Bard

Sunday:

1am - 6am : Overnight
Automated
6am - 8am : Winter Wonderland Stupot
Derek Jones
8am - 12pm : Christmas Wishes
Dave Hynes (8-10) & Damien Allen (10-12)
12pm - 5pm : Continuous Christmas Classics
Niall Cassidy (12-2) & Keith Shanley (2-5)
5pm - 7pm : Teatime Show*
Doug Murray
7pm - 9pm : Sunday Evening Special Show*
Walter Hegarty
9pm - 10pm : Soul Christmas
Chris Maher
10pm - 1am : Easy Christmas
Stevie Bolger

*: Show name TBC

Ron DMC

There's an iphone app, but has anyone successfully got it streaming on Android?

Had it playing on an app called yxplayer but it's all over the place and unlistenable.

Declan A Walsh

Schedule looks like this (for the first week anyway):

Weekdays:

Midnight - 7am : Overnight
Automated
7 - 10am : Christmas Breakfast
Keith Shanley (Mon-Thu) and Garv Rigby (Fri)
10am - 1pm: An All Christmas Morning
Noel McCaul (Mon), Doug Murray (Tue), Jim Kenny (Wed & Thu) and Daragh O'Sullivan (Fri)
1pm - 4pm: Christmas @ Work
Niall Boylan (Mon & Thu), Isobel Tobin (Tue), Chris Barry (Wed & Fri)
4pm - 7pm: Driving Home For Christmas
Enda Caldwell (Mon & Wed), Mathieu Norrie (Tue), Chris Murray (Thu & Fri)
7pm - 10pm: Jingle Bell Rock
Niall Cassidy (Mon), Mike Eastwood (Tue), Noel McCaul (Wed & Thu), Stevie Bolger (Fri)
10pm - Midnight: Christmas Classics
Bernie Jameson (Mon), Lucianne White (Tue), Wendy Grace (Wed), Ray Jackson (Thu), Declan Ralph (Fri)
Saturday:

Midnight - 7am : Overnight
Automated
7 - 10am : Winter Wonderland
Dave Hynes
10am - 12pm : Christmas Countdown
Daragh O'Sullivan
12pm - 5pm : Continuous Christmas Classics
Jacki Ascough (12-2) & Lynsey Dolan (2-5)
5pm - 8pm : Teatime Show*
Mike Eastwood
8pm - 10pm : Saturday Night Show*
Niall O'Keeffe
10pm - 1am : The Best Christmas Party Ever!
Gary Matthews


Sunday:

1am - 6am : Overnight
Automated
6am - 8am : Winter Wonderland Stupot
Derek Jones
8am - 12pm : Christmas Wishes
Dave Hynes (8-10) & Damien Allen (10-12)
12pm - 5pm : Continuous Christmas Classics
Niall Cassidy (12-2) & Keith Shanley (2-5)
5pm - 7pm : Teatime Show*
Doug Murray
7pm - 9pm : Sunday Evening Special Show*
Walter Hegarty
9pm - 10pm : Soul Christmas
Chris Maher
10pm - 1am : Easy Christmas
Stevie Bolger

Looking at the lineup and adding a few more names that I read are involved - Mike Maloney, Hugh O'Brien, Paul Scanlon, Electric Eddie, Simon Young, Tommy Green, Ray G, Brendan Flanagan and Andrea Hayes - it is possible to see a few patterns.

Firstly, there are a number of people in the lineup who were previously involved with other temporary-licenced stations.

Mike Maloney, Niall Boylan and Chris Barry - Real Radio
Hugh O'Brien - Choice FM
Simon Young - Hot Country
Damien Allen - Choice FM and 949 The Rock
Tommy Green - 949 The Rock
Ray G - Premier FM and Play
Garv Rigby and Daragh O Sullivan - Premier FM, Choice FM and 949 The Rock.
Jim Kenny - Premier FM, Choice FM, Hot Country and very briefly behind the scenes Heartbeat FM
Enda Caldwell - The Word, Choice FM, 949 The Rock, The 90s Network, Hot Country, Real Radio and Heartbeat FM
Niall Cassidy - Premier FM, Hot Country and Heartbeat FM
Bernie Jamieson - Choice FM and Premier FM
Ray Jackson, Walter Hegarty, Derek Jones and Mike Eastwwod - Premier FM
Dave Hynes - Premier FM, 949 The Rock, Hot Country and Heartbeat FM
Niall O'Keeffe - Real Radio and Open FM
Gary Matthews - Premier FM and Heartbeat FM...
and AFAIK - Brendan Flanagan - Choice FM and 949 The Rock

There is also a strong correlation with Dublin's Country 106.8/Sunshine 106.8. The following have gone through that station (past or present): Mike Maloney, Hugh O'Brien, Andrea Hayes, Tommy Green, Keith Shanley, Noel McCaul, Niall Boylan, Chris Barry, Jim Kenny and Lynsey Dolan.

The following have done stints with 2FM: Mike Maloney, Hugh O'Brien, Electric Eddie, Simon Young and Paul Scanlon.

Ron DMC

Finally got it working on Android.

You need an app called XiaaLive Lite. And then the pls file should open and stream in that fine.

Bard

Declan,

Niall Boylan and Mike Moloney's are more than just temp station guys as I'm sure you know... Mike having had a late night 2FM show for years and currently presenting on Radio Nova and Niall (and Chris Barry) having a history with 98FM and FM104. Andrea Hayes also worked on Real Radio with the lads but has also worked with TV3.

I'm Niall O'Keeffe (*waves*) and while you have me listed with Real Radio and OpenFM (both temps which I was involved with), I'm currently doing freelance newsreading and production work with iRadio.

Declan A Walsh

Bard wrote: »

Declan,

Niall Boylan and Mike Moloney's are more than just temp station guys as I'm sure you know... Mike having had a late night 2FM show for years and currently presenting on Radio Nova and Niall (and Chris Barry) having a history with 98FM and FM104. Andrea Hayes also worked on Real Radio with the lads but has also worked with TV3.

I'm Niall O'Keeffe (*waves*) and while you have me listed with Real Radio and OpenFM (both temps which I was involved with), I'm currently doing freelance newsreading and production work with iRadio.

Hi Niall:
Yes, I am aware of the other connections, and, in the case of Mike, I did mention 2FM. What I am attempting to do is show certain trends in the lineup, such as temporary stations (thanks for Andrea!) and 2FM amongst others. On the Dublin's Country/Sunshine 106.8 connection, I should have included Stevie Bolger.

You have just prompted me to think of connections to other local Dublin Stations.
So, besides Country/Sunshine Mix, we have:
Niall Boylan and Chris Barry - 98FM and FM104
Mike Maloney and Hugh O'Brien - Lite FM and Radio Nova
Jim Kenny - 98FM
Tommy Green - Lite FM/Q102
Chris Maher, Electric Eddie, Isobel Tobin, Lucianne White and Mathieu Norrie - Q102
Ray G - FM104

mar1us

i'm new here just want to say xmas fm is great station i was listen last year too and iphone app works perfect on iphone.Keep up the good work lads!

Bard

Thinking I'm just going to call my show the Saturday Night Christmas Party... unless anyone suggests anything better in the meantime...

mar1us

It is a good name!

The Muppet

Bard wrote: »

Thinking I'm just going to call my show the Saturday Night Christmas Party... unless anyone suggests anything better in the meantime...

Good luck with that Xfactor slot bard.;)

Bard

The Muppet wrote: »

Good luck with that Xfactor slot bard.;)

Cheers... :P

Planning to rip the p*ss out of the X Factor a LITTLE bit

TarfHead

Anyone know of a working URL for Christmas FM on an internet radio ?

The radio is a Revo blik and the portal is Frontier Silicon.

The URL saved from last year doesn't work this year. I have written to Christmas FM and have not received a reply. I have tried the PC streams and they don't work in the radio.

Thanks

UPDATE: Originally posted in seperate Christmas FM thread, before I noticed the sticky

Our man in Havana

I am very disappointed it is not receivable here in the Midlands.

Bard

I dunno... the Windows Media link (mms://christmas128.webworld.ie/christmas128) seems to be working fine for me... it IS a different stream to last year as far as I know.

BTW... I'm on at 8pm tonight and I'm making a phone call to the North Pole so that Santa can make a request

Fuzzy Clam

Haddockman wrote: »

I am very disappointed it is not receivable here in the Midlands.

Don't be. Your'e not missing much!

mar1us

Haddockman wrote: »

I am very disappointed it is not receivable here in the Midlands.

u have more option to listen,online or app for iphone...

dingdingdink

Anyone know of a working URL for Christmas FM on an internet radio ?

I had the same problem - and have managed to get the following working within iTunes / RealPlayer:

http://217.115.113.212:8000/

Hope this works for you - Cheers.

Declan A Walsh

Christmas FM are very good at securing the services of so many gainfully employed presenters for free. The following, for example, already currently have jobs with commercial radio stations: Enda Caldwell, Mike Maloney, Hugh O'Brien, Shane Pearse, Chris Murray, Jim Kenny, Tommy Greene, Chris Maher, Electric Eddie, Isobel Tobin, Lucianne White, Mathieu Norrie and Lynsey Dolan.

This is highly unusual for a temporary-licenced station. I think it has eveything to do with the nature of the station and that they are trying to raise funds for the less fortunate over the Christmas period.

I know from anecdotal evidence that there is a relatively high recognition factor for Christmas FM amongst the general listening public, something you normally do not see with other temporary stations. In fact, I have found that many people who have made the switch to Radio Nova were blissfully unaware of its near-relation temporary-licenced The Rock.

I suspect that this venture is going to run for some years yet.

Bard

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

I suspect that this venture is going to run for some years yet.

Totally agree with you! ... and long may it last

In fact, plenty of people are starting to see Christmas FM as an integral part of the festive season... in a "it wouldn't be Christmas without it" kind of way... which is nice

Bard

Christmas FM draws to a close this Sunday, St. Stephens Day, December 26th... it'll be replaced on the dial (in Dublin anyway) by Spirit Radio - so keeping the upbeat/positive vibe going on 89.9FM

Just a reminder that you can donate by texting a request (send "XMAS" followed by a space and your message to 57000) - all texts cost €1 and proceeds go to Barnardos - or by clicking the Donate Now link on www.christmasfm.ie

They're hoping to raise €100K this year.

Here's some bits from the show I did ... http://soundcloud.com/niallok/sets/christmas-fm-bits

Trick of the Tail

...and replaced in the South East, from Jan 1st, by Zenith Classic Rock!


A.

Declan A Walsh

I dipped in and out of the Top 100 Countdown on Christmas Eve. I heard some of the songs and some of the recapping countdowns. But, I did not catch everything.

In particular, the last tune I heard was placed at #3 - "Last Christmas" by Wham. Firstly, what was at Numbers 2 and 1? Secondly, is there any chance that the whole Top 100 countdown could be put on the website?


By the way, it was refreshing to hear such a variety of tunes being selected by the listeners.