Ernie Gallagher leaves Q102

heybaby

Probably common knowledge but just heard Ernie Gallagher has been let go by Q102 and replaced by Debbie Allen, this makes little sense to me, the man is synonymous with Q and the Lovezone. Further presenter sackings mooted, anyone have more on this? Q has been losing listeners surely presenters from the core schedule need changing ... oh and the music too while they are at it.

Edit: Let go as a result of cost-cutting measures.

GSF

In fairness they were the victim of 4fm changing its remit completely since launch and basically copying their output.

2 presenters from 7-1am is a luxury they probably can't afford. They could just run a single show from 8 to midnight and automate the overnights

soc160

GSF wrote: »

In fairness they were the victim of 4fm changing its remit completely since launch and basically copying their output.

2 presenters from 7-1am is a luxury they probably can't afford. They could just run a single show from 8 to midnight and automate the overnights

Fairly sure the overnight is automated.

heybaby

GSF wrote: »

In fairness they were the victim of 4fm changing its remit completely since launch and basically copying their output.

2 presenters from 7-1am is a luxury they probably can't afford. They could just run a single show from 8 to midnight and automate the overnights

Not quite sure id agree with Q becoming a victim at 4fm's expense, the latter is still very much struggling in Dublin. As regards having two presenters presenting the same show between 7 and 1, I agree it was a silly idea but why let Ernie go and keep Debbie? Also why have the same show 7 nights a week ?

Overnights used to be live I think?

GSF

Overnights used to be live indeed. But what's the average quarter hour between midnight and 6an. I'd say you could count it in the hundreds at best.

Maybe its down to money as to who goes and who stays? I'd prefer Ernie myself. Haven't listened in ages, but thy keep changing the format from long sweeps of music to shouts out to all texters.

Trebor176

It's a shame to see Ernie gone. He was ideal for that slot, I think. Debbie Allen is a good presenter too. I have to admit, though, that I haven't really tuned into Q102 since 4fm started, simply because I got sick of hearing the same songs played everyday, and some of which I don't like in general. To me, 4fm was terrific when it started first, and I particularly liked shows, such as Smooth & Easy. And, there were oldies that I had never heard of before, or hadn't heard in a long time.

In recent times, though, I felt at times that 4fm had become a Q102 clone music-wise, but maybe they have a slightly bigger range. I guess the likes of CSI do provide a better variety. I don't know why The Love Zone is on on a Friday or a Saturday evening, though. I thought that these evenings would be for the 'party' sort of music.

With the overnights, I'm sure that Robbie Kane on Q102 is on live, rather than the show being pre-recorded. 4fm does play music with no DJ, but I think before there was a DJ on then. I think Q102 could do with some sort of a revamp, as pointed out. The presenters are fine, but there needs to be a much better variety of music. It can get to the point that when artists are going to be played, you more or less know what song is going to be played.

gavindowd

Trebor176 wrote: »

I don't know why The Love Zone is on on a Friday or a Saturday evening, though. I thought that these evenings would be for the 'party' sort of music.

'Boogie Nights' - which had been going for years, seemed to disappear at the end of 2012 I think.

TheLonelyOne

Overnights were mainly pre recorder by Robbie, with him doing a live show once every two weeks or so. Personally, I think it is terrible the way they have treated Ernie, but like a lot of companies these days, employees are just numbers, no matter how long you have worked there or how much of your life you have put into the place. It's a business, It's there to make money... End of.

But what I do find strange is that they have let two presenters go, yet have taken on a new presenter for Saturday mornings. Bit of a strange one.

heybaby

TheLonelyOne wrote: »

Overnights were mainly pre recorder by Robbie, with him doing a live show once every two weeks or so. Personally, I think it is terrible the way they have treated Ernie, but like a lot of companies these days, employees are just numbers, no matter how long you have worked there or how much of your life you have put into the place. It's a business, It's there to make money... End of.

But what I do find strange is that they have let two presenters go, yet have taken on a new presenter for Saturday mornings. Bit of a strange one.

How many presenters are Q letting go exactly? Sounds to me like they are streamlining to save money.
As regards their playlist its very very jaded. The irony is that 4fm are playing the music Q should actually be playing although 4 do have a multiple of the songs Q has, they may in fact have too many, its a balancing act. Q's problem is it has a very narrow playlist and plays songs to death.

I also think Q's presenters need changing. Scott williams is far too old to be hosting a breakfast show, Aidan Cooney is never prepped and phones in his two hours on air, Harrington is always shouting and debbie allen has a nice voice but she's no ernie. The best jock on Q is Liam Coburn hands down, id keep him and phase out the rest.

GSF

From the website it looks like Damien McCaul is gone too. And overnights are now automated.

marian Carolan

GSF wrote: »

From the website it looks like Damien McCaul is gone too. And overnights are now automated.

what is Q doing?
don't they know the saying
"if. its not broke don't fix it "
I have listened to that station for just over 10 years but apart from maybe one show, I don't anymore. As someone already said, classic 4fm play what Q should play but without repeats and have some very good presenters and them you have sunshine for mellow songs at night.
such a shame to see such good presenters gone , hopefully they will turn up on our dials again soon.

marian Carolan

GSF wrote: »

From the website it looks like Damien McCaul is gone too. And overnights are now automated.

what is Q doing?
don't they know the saying
"if. its not broke don't fix it "
I have listened to that station for just over 10 years but apart from maybe one show, I don't anymore. As someone already said, classic 4fm play what Q should play but without repeats and have some very good presenters and them you have sunshine for mellow songs at night.
such a shame to see such good presenters gone , hopefully they will turn up on our dials again soon.

Btr

Have to agree with some comments here that 4fm ain't their competition in Dublin and numbers support this view. Rather this looks like a UTV move to reduce cost base. UTV numbers were out last week and their RoI revenues are very weak. Bet they're sorry they have a basket of stations in South. To look at the future see how Bauer media are consolidating in UK . Networked shows will inevitably arrive with possible regional opt outs

GSF

They never needed so many presenters in the first place. Radio in Ireland seems to be run as a job creation project rather than based on what is a managable cost base given the actual rather limited size of the audience.

channelsurfer2

i thought the worst move they made was to move scott williams from the drivetime show where he was doing well with female listeners. This piece says he grew listenership by 70% in that slot.

http://www.mecglobal.ie/news-desk/mec-news/q102-drivetime-anchor-pulls-women-listeners-in-their-droves/

chilloutrelax

channelsurfer2 wrote: »

i thought the worst move they made was to move scott williams from the drivetime show where he was doing well with female listeners. This piece says he grew listenership by 70% in that slot.

http://www.mecglobal.ie/news-desk/mec-news/q102-drivetime-anchor-pulls-women-listeners-in-their-droves/

That article is years old and referring to a survey that's 3 to 4 years old, things have changed significantly since then.

peterobrien100

Anybody know where Damien McCaul is gone to now is no longer at Q102 !

marian Carolan

peterobrien100 wrote: »

Anybody know where Damien McCaul is gone to now is no longer at Q102 !

no sadly, was about to ask the same question and also where is ernie :-)
hopefully they will pop up somewhere soon.

John Roadstar

peterobrien100 wrote: »

Anybody know where Damien McCaul is gone to now is no longer at Q102 !

His local social welfare office

marian Carolan

John Roadstar wrote: »

His local social welfare office

ha ha someone with a sense of humour