Is Pat Kenny to Newstalk a game changer?

For Forks Sake

CorsendonkX wrote: »

The Women on Air lobby won't be too happy with Newstalk lack of Sisterhood especially during the mid week. The Breakfast Show seems the place they like to slot in the "token" female.

..and see how well that worked out...

user1842

I dont understand why comreg dont force radio stations to stick to one frequency. Newstalks reception in the west is appalling. I listen to it in Dublin but not outside Dublin because of this. Its a pain. Like 106 to 108 FM, come on, that's a joke. This issue will affect people outside Dublin wanting to listen to Pay Kenny, they wont if the signal cuts in and out which it does outside Leinster and the major cities.

europa11

CorsendonkX wrote: »

The Women on Air lobby won't be too happy with Newstalk lack of Sisterhood especially during the mid week. The Breakfast Show seems the place they like to slot in the "token" female.

Wonder how NT's permanent victim and champion of the Sisterhood, Dil, will handle that little bit of in-housekeeping

padd b1975

I will definitely listen to Kenny on Newstalk.

However I will switch back to Radio 1 for Ronan Collins and then News at 1 if the final half hour is the usual filler.

marno21

user1842 wrote: »

I dont understand why comreg dont force radio stations to stick to one frequency. Newstalks reception in the west is appalling. I listen to it in Dublin but not outside Dublin because of this. Its a pain. Like 106 to 108 FM, come on, that's a joke. This issue will affect people outside Dublin wanting to listen to Pay Kenny, they wont if the signal cuts in and out which it does outside Leinster and the major cities.

Newstalk are a quasi-national station. Their licence doesn't entitle them/force them to cover the whole country. The reason they are on 106-108 is because in most of the country there's no other place to put them unless they were splattered across the whole band. Imagine how much more difficult it would be to promote them if they were on 95.6 in Tralee, 104.8 in Killarney, 106.4 in Cork City, 102.1 in Mallow etc.

Having it on 106-108 is actually better because it's clearer for longer then and isn't suffering from interference. Imagine if it was on 102.0 in Dublin. As soon as you clear the Dublin mountains and head west you'd have interference from Mt Leinster, Divis, Dungarvan and iRadio in Galway (assuming here we're in a Q102 free world). Reception in a car as you drive west from Dublin should be ok because there are plenty of transmitter sites along the way to keep you going (Three Rock, Saggart, Cairn Hill, Maghera etc). If you have issues + with other stations in your car I'd advise replacing either your aerial or radio.

user1842

marno21 wrote: »

Newstalk are a quasi-national station. Their licence doesn't entitle them/force them to cover the whole country. The reason they are on 106-108 is because in most of the country there's no other place to put them unless they were splattered across the whole band. Imagine how much more difficult it would be to promote them if they were on 95.6 in Tralee, 104.8 in Killarney, 106.4 in Cork City, 102.1 in Mallow etc.

Having it on 106-108 is actually better because it's clearer for longer then and isn't suffering from interference. Imagine if it was on 102.0 in Dublin. As soon as you clear the Dublin mountains and head west you'd have interference from Mt Leinster, Divis, Dungarvan and iRadio in Galway (assuming here we're in a Q102 free world). Reception in a car as you drive west from Dublin should be ok because there are plenty of transmitter sites along the way to keep you going (Three Rock, Saggart, Cairn Hill, Maghera etc). If you have issues + with other stations in your car I'd advise replacing either your aerial or radio.

Thanks for the info but why cant all Irish national stations be on the same frequencies across the country. If for example if RNAG is on 95.2 why cant it be on that frequency across the whole country and no other frequency.

Why cant comreg just say that no local stations can use those frequencies or have a frequency block for local stations that national stations cannot use.

Do it all in one go and there would be a bit of retuning but all the better for everyone I think.

Maybe im missing something fundamental though, it just always annoyed me.

Its not like we have loads and loads of stations to eat up frequency.

marno21

user1842 wrote: »

Thanks for the info but why cant all Irish national stations be on the same frequencies across the country. If for example if RNAG is on 95.2 why cant it be on that frequency across the whole country and no other frequency.

Stations such as RnaG have multiple transmitters across the country. If they were all lumped on one frequency all of those transmitters would interfere with each other. Therefore stations such as RnaG are assigned a block (92.5-94.6 and 102.7 in the North because 92.5 - 94.6 is used by BBC Radio Ulster). In the same way Newstalk has 106 - 108 (altho in general it uses 107.0 to 107.8)

Why cant comreg just say that no local stations can use those frequencies or have a frequency block for local stations that national stations cannot use.

Local stations do have their own blocks, which are seperate to the six national blocks. A lot of local stations also are strong enough to be picked up in neighbouring counties so they can't use the same block. For example Radio Kerry's 97.0 transmitter can be picked up all across Cork, and in most of Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Clare. For that reason 97.0 can't be used in those places because they would interfere with each other (the nearest usage is 97.1 in Clonmel and 96.8 in East Limerick).

Do it all in one go and there would be a bit of retuning but all the better for everyone I think.

If ComReg proposed a frequency audit there would be complaints from the radio stations because they'd fear they'd lose the frequencies that everyone is used to. Example 98.1 should belong to Lyric FM in Dublin and 98FM should be on 96.7 but they refused that move on promotional grounds. Same in North Tipp, Spin SW should be on 103.9 as it fits their 102-103 branding and Tipp FM should be shafted onto 94.7.

Its not like we have loads and loads of stations to eat up frequency.

We do though, that's the problem, because stations often cause interference outside their coverage area and there are quite a few relay stations that have wide broadcast areas too. Take 104-106 in Cork. 104.2, 104.5, 105.2, 105.4, 105.7 and 106.1 are all out of bounds in Cork city because all of those RedFM transmitters can be picked up in various parts of the city. Putting a transmitter in Cork on 105.7 would not only interfere with Red FM's 105.7 area but it would also be interfered with by RedFM's 105.7. For that reason stations these days are given less than ideal frequency assigments and coverage is restricted that way.

user1842

marno21 wrote: »

Stations such as RnaG have multiple transmitters across the country. If they were all lumped on one frequency all of those transmitters would interfere with each other. Therefore stations such as RnaG are assigned a block (92.5-94.6 and 102.7 in the North because 92.5 - 94.6 is used by BBC Radio Ulster). In the same way Newstalk has 106 - 108 (altho in general it uses 107.0 to 107.8)



Local stations do have their own blocks, which are seperate to the six national blocks. A lot of local stations also are strong enough to be picked up in neighbouring counties so they can't use the same block. For example Radio Kerry's 97.0 transmitter can be picked up all across Cork, and in most of Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Clare. For that reason 97.0 can't be used in those places because they would interfere with each other (the nearest usage is 97.1 in Clonmel and 96.8 in East Limerick).


If ComReg proposed a frequency audit there would be complaints from the radio stations because they'd fear they'd lose the frequencies that everyone is used to. Example 98.1 should belong to Lyric FM in Dublin and 98FM should be on 96.7 but they refused that move on promotional grounds. Same in North Tipp, Spin SW should be on 103.9 as it fits their 102-103 branding and Tipp FM should be shafted onto 94.7.



We do though, that's the problem, because stations often cause interference outside their coverage area and there are quite a few relay stations that have wide broadcast areas too. Take 104-106 in Cork. 104.2, 104.5, 105.2, 105.4, 105.7 and 106.1 are all out of bounds in Cork city because all of those RedFM transmitters can be picked up in various parts of the city. Putting a transmitter in Cork on 105.7 would not only interfere with Red FM's 105.7 area but it would also be interfered with by RedFM's 105.7. For that reason stations these days are given less than ideal frequency assigments and coverage is restricted that way.

Thanks for the comprehensive answer.

blue4ever

marno21 wrote: »

Stations such as RnaG have multiple transmitters across the country. If they were all lumped on one frequency all of those transmitters would interfere with each other. Therefore stations such as RnaG are assigned a block (92.5-94.6 and 102.7 in the North because 92.5 - 94.6 is used by BBC Radio Ulster). In the same way Newstalk has 106 - 108 (altho in general it uses 107.0 to 107.8)



Local stations do have their own blocks, which are seperate to the six national blocks. A lot of local stations also are strong enough to be picked up in neighbouring counties so they can't use the same block. For example Radio Kerry's 97.0 transmitter can be picked up all across Cork, and in most of Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Clare. For that reason 97.0 can't be used in those places because they would interfere with each other (the nearest usage is 97.1 in Clonmel and 96.8 in East Limerick).


If ComReg proposed a frequency audit there would be complaints from the radio stations because they'd fear they'd lose the frequencies that everyone is used to. Example 98.1 should belong to Lyric FM in Dublin and 98FM should be on 96.7 but they refused that move on promotional grounds. Same in North Tipp, Spin SW should be on 103.9 as it fits their 102-103 branding and Tipp FM should be shafted onto 94.7.



We do though, that's the problem, because stations often cause interference outside their coverage area and there are quite a few relay stations that have wide broadcast areas too. Take 104-106 in Cork. 104.2, 104.5, 105.2, 105.4, 105.7 and 106.1 are all out of bounds in Cork city because all of those RedFM transmitters can be picked up in various parts of the city. Putting a transmitter in Cork on 105.7 would not only interfere with Red FM's 105.7 area but it would also be interfered with by RedFM's 105.7. For that reason stations these days are given less than ideal frequency assigments and coverage is restricted that way.

That's a fantastic answer, honest. Looking at it now, there should have been a different approach to the distribution of the spectrum.

brilou23

i listen to news talk all time but switch to pat when tom dunne comes on he be better suited to after off the ball

armchair fusilier

It would be interesting to know how many people listen to only RTE Radio 1 and never to any other radio station. A hell of a lot it would seem. Eamon Dunphy left a Saturday morning show on RTE with an audience of 260,000 to take up a Sunday morning show on Newstalk. One year later that show has just 50,000 listeners, Newstalk are trying to cut his salaries in half and he's gone.

Of course you would expected Pat Kenny fare a lot better than Dunphy did, but how many new listeners would he have to attract to pay for that 400,000 euro salaries? A sponsor could offset some of it. I think more people than is expected will just keep listening to who ever replaces him over RTE, but given time I'm sure he will do very well and will also bring up the figures for the other shows around his. Not well enough to cover his cost though.

JonathanAnon

europa11 wrote: »

Wonder how NT's permanent victim and champion of the Sisterhood, Dil, will handle that little bit of in-housekeeping

I have an interesting control experiment to see how good Pat Kenny is.. Put Dil on the breakfast show for the three hours preceding Pat Kenny. Then see how the listenership figures change (from zero) when his show starts... I'd say if you stepped outside your front door the noise of people switching their radios would be audible across the country..

constitutionus

For Forks Sake wrote: »

..and see how well that worked out...

TWICE..

three times if ya count orla barry.



on the reception thing i have to say its fecking awfull in work (both offices) . ive taken to streaming newstalk through the PC as i just couldnt be arse trying to screen out the static anymore.

thats bad news considering ive no prob getting RTE 1 in the same places.

still ill be tuning in as pats a draw for me. didnt impress on telly but is stellar on radio IMO and i just dont see myles keeping me over pat.

as another poster said if sean o rourke got the gig then ya might have a challenge, but right now i wouldnt like to be the one having to fill those slots.

el pasco

marno21 wrote: »

Stations such as RnaG have multiple transmitters across the country. If they were all lumped on one frequency all of those transmitters would interfere with each other. Therefore stations such as RnaG are assigned a block (92.5-94.6 and 102.7 in the North because 92.5 - 94.6 is used by BBC Radio Ulster). In the same way Newstalk has 106 - 108 (altho in general it uses 107.0 to 107.8)



Local stations do have their own blocks, which are seperate to the six national blocks. A lot of local stations also are strong enough to be picked up in neighbouring counties so they can't use the same block. For example Radio Kerry's 97.0 transmitter can be picked up all across Cork, and in most of Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Clare. For that reason 97.0 can't be used in those places because they would interfere with each other (the nearest usage is 97.1 in Clonmel and 96.8 in East Limerick).


If ComReg proposed a frequency audit there would be complaints from the radio stations because they'd fear they'd lose the frequencies that everyone is used to. Example 98.1 should belong to Lyric FM in Dublin and 98FM should be on 96.7 but they refused that move on promotional grounds. Same in North Tipp, Spin SW should be on 103.9 as it fits their 102-103 branding and Tipp FM should be shafted onto 94.7.



We do though, that's the problem, because stations often cause interference outside their coverage area and there are quite a few relay stations that have wide broadcast areas too. Take 104-106 in Cork. 104.2, 104.5, 105.2, 105.4, 105.7 and 106.1 are all out of bounds in Cork city because all of those RedFM transmitters can be picked up in various parts of the city. Putting a transmitter in Cork on 105.7 would not only interfere with Red FM's 105.7 area but it would also be interfered with by RedFM's 105.7. For that reason stations these days are given less than ideal frequency assigments and coverage is restricted that way.

In the Netherlands they have FM radio stations all on the one frequency

marno21

el pasco wrote: »

In the Netherlands they have FM radio stations all on the one frequency

In the Netherlands it's a completely different story due to the terrain. If Cork was flat C103 wouldn't need 10 different sites to achieve about 95% coverages (plenty of towns and villages with little/no coverage).

Nothing stopping ComReg doing a spectrum audit and rearranging frequencies and forcing stations to use synchronoised transmission to cut down on the number of frequencies used.

Modern station launches however have been much more efficient in their frequency usage, eg 4FM using 94.9 and 94.6 in Dublin, Nova using 100.3 and 100.5, Newstalk using 107.0 to 107.8 nationwide with little problems.

In addition, the stations in the NL using 1 frequency aren't making much use of FM rebroadcast relays. If you wanted to cram C103 into 1 frequncy, C103 would then need to spend on link equipment to Kilworth, Clonakilty, Carrigaline, Kinsale, Youghal, Bantry and Macroom sites, which would cost a lot

snubbleste

Kenny: I left RTÉ cos of PrimeTime madness
Look at me - I'm talented! :mad:

Raspberry Fileds

snubbleste wrote: »

Kenny: I left RTÉ cos of PrimeTime madness
Look at me - I'm talented! :mad:

"I knew I wasn't enjoying Prime Time - it was unpredictable, often I would come back in to RTE after a day working in the radio building to interview a Junior Minister for five minutes, which seemed like madness."

I don't understand his objection to it.


"It was a revolution when I first moved, now we are focusing on the evolution of the show. It's a two-year project so we're taking it step by step."

Revolution?! It could hardly be more similar to his previous show.

Aidric

I like Pat, in fact I think he is the finest current affairs broadcaster on the circuit.

That said, he indulges his inner sycophant a little too much. Perhaps he inherited it from his predecessor?

catallus

Didn't he have an interview with Louis Walsh yesterday? Had to turn off the radio.

foxtrot101

snubbleste wrote: »

Kenny: I left RTÉ cos of PrimeTime madness
Look at me - I'm talented! :mad:

Yep, Pat has always had a very well developed sense of his own self-worth.

"I often wonder why there isn't the same fuss over the salaries paid to footballers like John O'Shea, earning more in three weeks than Marian Finucane earns in a year.

"There is a double standard there. These people put themselves on the line, they entertain the nation week in, week out, and yet they are paid a trivial amount compared to footballers."

I do rate him as presenter, but not nearly as highly as he does himself.

snubbleste

Pat the Plank wrote:

"I often wonder why there isn't the same fuss over the salaries paid to footballers like John O'Shea, earning more in three weeks than Marian Finucane earns in a year.
"There is a double standard there. These people put themselves on the line, they entertain the nation week in, week out, and yet they are paid a trivial amount compared to footballers."