Today FM Megathread Mod warning post #1 / #1401

threein99

IUA14 wrote: »

Have all the male presenters been given the day off? Since 9 it's been Clair McKenna, PMAC and Muireann...enjoyable listening actually! Mind you any day without Al Porter is an infinite improvement!

statto25

They are starting to play little intros to songs now like they do on iradio..... The transformation is nearly complete.

marno21

statto25 wrote: »

They are starting to play little intros to songs now like they do on iradio..... The transformation is nearly complete.

Just heard one for the new Kygo record.. Interesting that both Today FM and 2FM are both going after the same audience, there's a severe lack of a nationwide 25+ Station in the vein of old Today FM or 2FM

wnolan1992

marno21 wrote: »

Just heard one for the new Kygo record.. Interesting that both Today FM and 2FM are both going after the same audience, there's a severe lack of a nationwide 25+ Station in the vein of old Today FM or 2FM

I think it's more likely that people on this thread are misunderstanding what the 25-35 audience is. The 25-35 audience now isn't the same as the 25-35 audience that were attracted to "old Today FM and 2FM".

The lower end of that 25-35 audience now are the people who've grown up with Spin, iRadio, Beat, etc. It's natural to expect the nationals to adapt their formats to attract these new listeners, rather than expecting listeners to adapt their listening preferences to Today FM's old format.

ads20101

wnolan1992 wrote: »

The lower end of that 25-35 audience now are the people who've grown up with Spin, iRadio, Beat, etc. It's natural to expect the nationals to adapt their formats to attract these new listeners, rather than expecting listeners to adapt their listening preferences to Today FM's old format.

Granted

But that doesn't make it less ****y for the original audience.

But as said before - The spin etc group are far less loyal. They are just as happy to use online streaming or internet radio options.

I feel that Today FM would fair far better with growing up with its existing listenership, rather than alienating it with the promise of a new one.

wnolan1992

ads20101 wrote: »

Granted

But that doesn't make it less ****y for the original audience.

But as said before - The spin etc group are far less loyal. They are just as happy to use online streaming or internet radio options.

I feel that Today FM would fair far better with growing up with its existing listenership, rather than alienating it with the promise of a new one.

That's not what they're licenced to do though.

Trebor176

IUA14 wrote: »

Have all the male presenters been given the day off? Since 9 it's been Clair McKenna, PMAC and Muireann...enjoyable listening actually! Mind you any day without Al Porter is an infinite improvement!

I enjoyed the lineup myself too. Not just for something different, but the fact it was three female voices in a row. I'd be more used to hearing Paula and Muireann than I would Clare McKenna. It was great not having to hear a certain shouty, nasally voice coming through the airwaves between 12 and 2:30.

It's evident from the relevant Today FM threads that Muireann is much more liked than Al. Why they couldn't just leave Muireann in Al's slot is beyond me. But, I know that's been said before!

ads20101

wnolan1992 wrote: »

That's not what they're licenced to do though.

I see this a lot, whether it is in reference to what you said about particular demographic audience, or what others have said about the minimum current affairs and news content required (ie. the last work etc).

The problem I have is that I haven't been able to find anything that restrictive from the licencing authority.

With the amount of people here referencing the licencing agreement, I don't deny that something must exist, only that I cannot find it.

The issue becomes even more cloudy when it appears that the actual current licence refers to 'Radio Ireland Ltd' which is due to expire this year.

If this is the actual case then I would surmise that the actual agreement is rather loose and open to a fair amount of managerial discretion as Radio Ireland was primarily a talk radio station prior to its modern evolution.

I cannot find an amendment to this original agreement but if you have a link to one I would be grateful.

leestone

Do you think they will be changing the lineup soon? Or even letting a few hosts go?
If so who would you want gone?

hufpc8w3adnk65

leestone wrote: »

Do you think they will be changing the lineup soon? Or even letting a few hosts go?
If so who would you want gone?

Al Porter! Instant channel changer for me

leestone

leestone wrote: »

Do you think they will be changing the lineup soon? Or even letting a few hosts go?
If so who would you want gone?

Al Porter, Fergal D'Arcy but he's the only one brining in ratings I believe so he wont be cut, and Louise Duffy wouldn't be missed (think shes trying to break into the fashion blogger scene iirc)

Wouldn't be surprised in a couple of months Ian and Matt are gone

Buford T. Justice XIX

MrMac84 wrote: »

Al Porter! Instant channel changer for me

+1,000

Other than D&D, I am pretty much not listening to TodayFM much anymore. I enjoy Louise in the evenings and the weekend evening shows on Saturday and Sunday but Al is definitely a turn off for my generation, I think. Most of the people I know who used listen to the station change at 12 and don't come back.

There is a big opening for a station for 35-60yo who don't want to be bombarded with news all day but some light chat interspersed with good music. That used to be TodayFM but not anymore.

leestone

Esme Faithful Locomotive wrote: »

Al Porter, Fergal D'Arcy but he's the only one brining in ratings I believe so he wont be cut, and Louise Duffy wouldn't be missed (think shes trying to break into the fashion blogger scene iirc)

Wouldn't be surprised in a couple of months Ian and Matt are gone

Really surprised

Ursus Horribilis

I'd be surprised if Ian or Matt go. They're arguably the station's biggest names. Anton was dispensable because he never captured the public's imagination in the way Ray D'Arcy did and was losing listeners. Why would the station kill off a programme that's successful simply because the presenter isn't 25.

While none of us knows what's in the station's licencing agreement, there probably is a requirement for current affairs in the remit. If the programming of its predecessors Century Radio and Radio Ireland are anything to go by, they're now getting away with murder. My guess is that they managed to wriggle out of broadcasting minority interest programmes in order to stay in business.

IRE60

Esme Faithful Locomotive wrote: »

Al Porter, Fergal D'Arcy but he's the only one brining in ratings I believe so he wont be cut, and Louise Duffy wouldn't be missed (think shes trying to break into the fashion blogger scene iirc)

Wouldn't be surprised in a couple of months Ian and Matt are gone

Here is the pecking order in terms of pulling power from the last radio research
2016Q4
Ian Dempsey 167
Anton Savage 164
Dermot and Dave 115
Fergal D'Arcy 103
Matt Cooper 132


Now - don't forget that Anton left towards the end of of that book and Al only stated in Feb - towards the middle of the book to be published next week. So, regardless of the number for Al - high or low - he cant be judged, fully, on the forthcoming figures.

Numerically over the last few quarters Today have begun to struggle and I cant see any of the recent changes being the catalyst to move the station in a more positive direction.

More Music

ads20101 wrote: »

The issue becomes even more cloudy when it appears that the actual current licence refers to 'Radio Ireland Ltd' which is due to expire this year.

If this is the actual case then I would surmise that the actual agreement is rather loose and open to a fair amount of managerial discretion as Radio Ireland was primarily a talk radio station prior to its modern evolution.

Today FM isn't a limited company, it a discretionary business name owned by a company called Radio Ireland Limited.

The BAI cannot sign a contract with Today FM because it's not a limited company, hence the agreement is with Radio Ireland Limited.

It's normal business practice. For example, JOC Limited trading as Joe's Garage.

Synode

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

+1,000

Other than D&D, I am pretty much not listening to TodayFM much anymore. I enjoy Louise in the evenings and the weekend evening shows on Saturday and Sunday but Al is definitely a turn off for my generation, I think. Most of the people I know who used listen to the station change at 12 and don't come back.

There is a big opening for a station for 35-60yo who don't want to be bombarded with news all day but some light chat interspersed with good music. That used to be TodayFM but not anymore.

I only listen to D&D these days. If they're not on I switch over. My car is tuned to Nova a lot these days. Ray Foley back on the airwaves is a blessing too

Buford T. Justice XIX

My options are national radio or local radio and I'm tuning into local radio music shows a good bit after 12 then onto Newstalk or Radio 1 till 2.30 and back to The Last Word or stay on Radio 1 till 7.

pjohnson

Esme Faithful Locomotive wrote: »

Al Porter, Fergal D'Arcy but he's the only one brining in ratings I believe so he wont be cut, and Louise Duffy wouldn't be missed (think shes trying to break into the fashion blogger scene iirc)

Wouldn't be surprised in a couple of months Ian and Matt are gone

Ian and Matt leave? Thats the station killed off.

zoobizoo

pjohnson wrote: »

Ian and Matt leave? Thats the station killed off.

It's the station reborn.

pjohnson

zoobizoo wrote: »

It's the station reborn.

With Al Porter as Jesus leading it to the light?

IUA14

zoobizoo wrote: »

It's the station reborn.

I would be very surprised to see Matt leave in the next 2 years...unless an opportunity presented itself on Newstalk which was a step forward...breakfast perhaps. He is still relevant and liked and garners attention on social media...that seems to be what they want these days!

I cannot stand Al Porter...Muireann should have a full time weekday slot, too good for Saturdays. And I know Fergal D'Arcy gets a kicking on here...but he is annoying me less the last while...maybe just in comparison to Porter he looks good, but he is also playing some of the best music on the station from 7am to 7pm...a good few belters thrown in with the usual mundane pop playlist.

wnolan1992

Guys, seriously, just look at Ian and Matt's figures. They're consistently down over the past few years. They're also becoming increasingly at odds with the rest of the schedule. It's like your Dad presenting Breakfast, your Uncle presenting Drive and then the college kids presenting everywhere else. This is exactly what ultimately crippled 2FM, no consistency.

I like Ian and Matt. I do. I'm not saying they'll go tomorrow morning, but I think the people on this thread are going to have to realise that, more than likely, their time in those slots is coming to an end. I could easily see Iano moving to weekend breakfast or a Sunday afternoon slot, or Matt taking over talk show on a Sunday morning.

marno21

wnolan1992 wrote: »

Guys, seriously, just look at Ian and Matt's figures. They're consistently down over the past few years. They're also becoming increasingly at odds with the rest of the schedule. It's like your Dad presenting Breakfast, your Uncle presenting Drive and then the college kids presenting everywhere else. This is exactly what ultimately crippled 2FM, no consistency.

I like Ian and Matt. I do. I'm not saying they'll go tomorrow morning, but I think the people on this thread are going to have to realise that, more than likely, their time in those slots is coming to an end. I could easily see Iano moving to weekend breakfast or a Sunday afternoon slot, or Matt taking over talk show on a Sunday morning.

Cooper could be moved to Newstalk, he won't settle for a Sunday morning show and he's a very valuable asset to the station group.

wnolan1992

marno21 wrote: »

Cooper could be moved to Newstalk, he won't settle for a Sunday morning show and he's a very valuable asset to the station group.

Agreed, I think he could be good on Breakfast over there.

Ursus Horribilis

I'd rather have him on Drivetime on Newstalk if he was to move.

The Parish Priest.

If Communicorp wanted to put Cooper on NewsTalk, surely they would have done it last September ? I think The last word is awfully stale and trying to make it more youthful with that 5@5 nonsense is cringe..

marno21

The Parish Priest. wrote: »

If Communicorp wanted to put Cooper on NewsTalk, surely they would have done it last September ? I think The last word is awfully stale and trying to make it more youthful with that 5@5 nonsense is cringe..

Maybe it's me but it didn't appear that Today FM was so youth oriented last September or whenever the NT Drive decision was made. It seems to have been mostly in 2017 that this phase has begun.

Ursus Horribilis

This Keith McCormack guy who's now the main man only started in the job last May

The Parish Priest.

The changes aiming at a younger audience actually started last July/August with Fergal Darcy moving to afternoons and the axing of Declan Meehan, Jim O Neill and Friday Night 80s and 90s