Poor FM Radio Choice in Ireland

Andy From Sligo · 23-12-2023 8:45pm #1

I cannot believe how poor the stations were tonight (Christmas eve eve) on the FM radio bands , so crap I thought I had to mention it on here.

So i done some christmas shopping in Sligo and I thought I will have a nice listen to some christmas tunes on the way home driving (you know the score 'driving home for Christmas etc - all the popular ones ) - well its not like there is much choice of stations on the ol FM band and there is no DAB in Ireland so literally got :

RTE Radio 1, RTE Radio 2, TodayFM, OceanFM and iradio.

so TodayFM were doing some bloody special show with Cher (talking/interviewing shyte) - I mean come on she is old hat , hasnt been out for years!

So I thought right I will turn on to 2FM / RTE Radio2 - some banging rapping tunes - no Christmas music

So I thought OK , RTE radio 1 - bloody Choir music or something.

OK - Ocean FM the local radio for Sligo, ebenezer good and tunes like that - no Christmas music

then I tried iRadio at last , again no christmas music - some rapping / club music again!

Christmas eve eve for God's sakes! -

I have got bluetooth in my car radio but I was driving so I couldnt set up spotify etc and I couldnt be arsed pullig over to set spotify up or tune-in .

It just cements times like that , that this is where you would miss not a proper DAB service in Ireland because if I were to scroll through a load of DAB stations I surely would have come across some station which would have sufficed.

Declan A Walsh · 23-12-2023 8:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058328180/poor-fm-radio-choice-in-ireland

Have you tried Christmas FM, which is currently on a temporary FM license run?

Andy From Sligo · 23-12-2023 8:57pm

oh no, I didnt I dont think I have that tuned into my car radio presets. I didnt know that. - So I should have been able to pick it up in Sligo too then or is it just on FM in Dublin?

Declan A Walsh · 23-12-2023 9:02pm

Christmas FM is almost nationwide as regards FM.

Frequencies, including Sligo Town:

https://christmasfm.com/our-fm-frequencies/

elperello · 23-12-2023 9:02pm

Whenever I'm driving and I can't find what I like on first or second try I always go for Lyric.

What can I say ?

It just works for me, maybe not for everyone.

Tonywhest · 23-12-2023 9:13pm

First world problem

Declan A Walsh · 23-12-2023 9:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121531249#Comment_121531249

Further to my previous post, Christmas FM has been around since 2008, initially only in Dublin. Over the years, more locations were added to the extent that now it can be picked up in the majority of Ireland. It is also available online all year round. There are various threads about Christmas FM on this forum, including one that was bumped up this year, and there is a big one on the Christmas forum.

ryangontv · 24-12-2023 12:55am

I tell you, a DAB+ service for Ireland would be great, Not only could you carry all the local stations alongside RTÉ, Today and Newstalk on maybe 2 muxes, then you could allow applicants for commercial muxes for say Bauer or other companies, in theory widening the choice for listeners... as long as you do it right...

Rubberchikken · 24-12-2023 1:41am

If driving and I haven't Spotify on I will listen to Lyric. It's the only one with presenters who seem to want to actually play music and not witter on endlessly yapping sh$te.

I cannot take that insufferable pair in the early mornings on classic FM. She sounds like she's perpetually sucking a hard sweet and he just sucks. Don't know their names..don't care.

And don't get me started on Gareth O Callaghan. He has become more miserable sounding and way too fond of reminiscences and nostalgia.

God spare me.

waywill1966 · 24-12-2023 3:31pm

Downtown Radio is what I’m listening to for Christmas music!

cute geoge · 24-12-2023 3:50pm

Most of the time classic fm is about the best of them but that early morning show is some dose ,It is a great pity rte gold can not be picked up on fm as it is half descent about the only thing rte got right

Lord Nelson · 24-12-2023 3:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121531925#Comment_121531925

Don’t be ridiculous. More choice for the listener means more competition for the piss poor incumbents. We certainly can’t allow that to happen. It might upset the cozy cartel facilitated by the muppets in the BAI or whatever they’re calling themselves this week.

HeidiHeidi · 24-12-2023 3:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121531249#Comment_121531249

I'd forgotten about this!

Just tuned in - and it's about 75% blather/requests 🙄

It'll be back to lyric again soon, I think....

Lord Nelson · 24-12-2023 3:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121531976#Comment_121531976

O’Callaghan was past his sell by date twenty years ago. At this stage he’s just an egotistical narcissist trading on past glories. I honestly can’t understand this fascination with recruiting DJ’s who were “famous” forty years and whose glory days are long passed.

Andy From Sligo · 24-12-2023 4:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121533420#Comment_121533420

oh yeah - +1 for RTE Gold on Nationwide FM band , be brilliant

Declan A Walsh · 24-12-2023 7:40pm

A couple of people referred to "Classic FM". I assume that they mean Classic Hits Ireland (formerly 4FM) as Classic FM is the name of a UK classical music station! The two in the morning are Lucy Kennedy (she of Living with Lucy fame amongst other things!) and Colm Hayes.

tinytobe · 25-12-2023 10:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121533511#Comment_121533511

There is no wonder there are complaints about poor FM radio choices in Ireland.

DAB+ was badmouthed, in various ways ( the ship has sailed, now it's too late, or technology "we" don't need ) whilst other countries are still rolling it out. ( France with Metropolitan 1 and 2 )

So it's only natural Ireland has no choice on the radio, - FM simply doesn't offer any growth, just high transmission cost, and little choice for today's demand.

Better to listen to music on the smart phone. FM is basically going quiet more and more.

RTE basically shot itself in the foot, with keeping the 252 alive for a long time, and not investing in a DAB+ network. RTE Gold would still be around and alive and well, same as other choices.

Luker · 25-12-2023 10:21am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121534939#Comment_121534939

RTÉ gold is still around and live and well - just not on dab

Luker · 25-12-2023 10:22am

Classic hits is a good choice but Colm and Lucy are very annoying and throughout the day they promote the breakfast show (at the exact same times every day, gets annoying)

Charles Babbage · 25-12-2023 10:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121533420#Comment_121533420

Is it too late to ask Santa to squeeze RTE Gold into the FM spectrum? If we all wish...

tinytobe · 25-12-2023 11:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121534962#Comment_121534962

I think that's too costly and the RTE has financial trouble as well.

I thought RTE Gold will be closed down as well, also online?

ryangontv · 25-12-2023 3:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121535098#Comment_121535098

No, Radio 1 Extra, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse and RTÉjr Radio are the ones set to close - RTÉ Gold wasn't mentioned.

end of the road · 25-12-2023 5:59pm

gold may go though if there are further cuts.

i hope not for it's listeners as i know there are those who value it but it not being closed with the rest of the online stations doesn't guarantee it's future long term IMO.

time will tell, as always, i guess.

tinytobe · 25-12-2023 6:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121535644#Comment_121535644

It's possible that this might be this way, changes are only bound to happen after the next election.

It would be bad if they are forcing a household charge but still don't offer DAB+ services.

Then it would be worse than in the UK, where they offer DAB+ and have no household charge.

end of the road · 25-12-2023 8:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121535718#Comment_121535718

they won't bother with a DAB+ service now at this stage unfortunately as they have got rid of the equipment they have and like in 2008 there will be no money for them to roll their mux out nationally.

i think to be honest the household charge is a given here now, the only other alternative is funding from general taxation, which while i wouldn't be against that, does have it's own issues in the form of potentially more political interference.

god knows what the UK will do inrelation to PSB or at least the BBC and the license fee, at least they have only one more year of the nasty party if even that long but that's probably for another thread to be honest, fascinating as the junk show over there is.

Charles Babbage · 25-12-2023 10:57pm

The new government payment, whatever it is, should fund a shared transmission network for TV and radio, including DAB+, and offer it across the country at a modest rate to anyone wanting to have a station. Then the marginal cost of adding a service is reasonable, whether it be RTÉ or anyone else.

The J Stands for Jay · 26-12-2023 10:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121531230#Comment_121531230

Is this whole thread just about how the stations you have chosen to save as presets were crap on Christmas Eve? Sounds like a you problem.

TheBMG · 26-12-2023 1:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121536731#Comment_121536731

Sounds like you misunderstand that this is the radio forum. It’s where we talk about radio

California Dreamer · 26-12-2023 1:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121531276#Comment_121531276

Welcome to a radio thread in a radio forum! But cheers for your input.

beachhead · 26-12-2023 2:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058328180/poor-fm-radio-choice-in-ireland

In Sligo-can you get UK stations broadcasting into N.I. Great selection of music available.

Gooser14 · 26-12-2023 2:32pm

What about Lyric fm?

Andy From Sligo · 26-12-2023 3:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121537349#Comment_121537349

I dont think I can receive UK DAB+ here where I am , for home it would need large aerial pointed to the brougher mountains and an amplifier , even then I am not sure - we only used to ever get poor fringe UK tv on UHF back in the day . For car definately no DAB when searching in Sligo - possibly Belcoo maybe get something

cute geoge · 26-12-2023 6:00pm

The classic countdown on rte gold by will leahy is a top drawer show and previous 5 months of shows can be listened to on playback for anyone interested

ryangontv · 27-12-2023 4:28am

Never in my life have I seen anyone listening to Lyric

TheBMG · 27-12-2023 8:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121539677#Comment_121539677

I know a few. Mainly for Marty

ryangontv · 27-12-2023 8:43am

I’ve heard he’s the most popular 🥶🥶🥶

Former Former Former · 27-12-2023 11:05am

The OP sort of answered his own question.

He wanted Christmas music. There was a dedicated FM service available to him playing nothing but Christmas music. But because it's not in his presets, he didn't tune to it, and despite it being on the air for several years, he was completely unaware of it. People simply don't go up and down the tuner any more, they're not going to stumble upon new stations.

So any new FM service would need a huge publicity drive to even make people aware of its existence and that is a huge cost on top of the costs of actually setting up and running the service. Huge costs cannot be recouped in a tiny target market like north-west Ireland.

The FM market is likely going to shrink in the coming years, the sums just don't add up.