Dublins Q102

GSF

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973257#Comment_122973257

not really that strong a line up. A 5 and a half hour marathon show and presumably the half hour news is so they meet their news commitments in prime time meaning they can have short or no bulletins between 10am to 6pm. I suppose that might fix some of the problems with the Tubridy feed from Virgin

chilloutrelax

I read on some of the articles this morning that they are planning station relaunch, with a new logo and strategic vision etc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973675#Comment_122973675

Kathryn’s show will begin airing in February and will be part of a relaunch for Dublin’s Q102 which will also include a new logo, a new strategic vision and new brand values – always being curious, social and bright. Once we had set out our strategy, Kathryn was the obvious choice for breakfast and she will work hand in glove with Ryan who follows her show at 10am.

“Liam Coburn, a long standing Q102 presenter, will follow with ‘Feel Good Afternoon’s’ as well as other familiar Q102 presenters like Martin King at the weekend. Dublin’s Q102 – Brighten Your Day!”

Declan A Walsh

Is Aidan Cooney in the new line up? I know he was moved to weekends after Ryan Turbidy's Virgin Radio show started being relayed.

GSF

Basically just cost cutting by automating more and recycling some of the savings into a name at breakfast. Wonder whether the breakfast show will have any co- host or team to banter with or whether it’s just her flying solo?

144 Upper Leeson Street

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973716#Comment_122973716

Some of the stuff that I have been reading today is beggars belief. First off, she comes from the Noel Kelly stable so some sweet negotiation would have been done there, although I don't know why they are waiting until February to launch the show. How was she the obvious choice? If you wanted obvious should have left Liam and Venitta alone to do what they did.

So they sacked 3 veteran presenters to pay for 1 new one? If Tubbs is staying in London, his salary comes from the UK budget and doesn't cost Ireland.

Either way, its gut the pig and dress it is back up again to look good.

They could have the best presenters in the world, and if they don't address their music policy nothing will happen. They need to think beyond their 300 song rotation. There is only so much 'this years love' the Q audience can take!!! Its feel good, but here's another depressing song like tears in heaven or the living years!!!!!

GSF

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973975#Comment_122973975

It’s lucky they are dropping the feel good tag then 😂

Infoanon

Very unusual timing....

You don't announce a major new presenter late in the week before Christmas and said presenter is not starting until February.....

Apart from the presenters names the press release is incredibly bland , can Q102 steady the ship ??

Re Andy Preston ; BMG iirc Diamond 106 was dance orientated or at least featured a lot more dance tracks than others .

Declan - Andy worked on Radio Dublin daytime and Sunset at night time doing love songs !

Andy upset Joe by copying the track 'Bright Eyes' and later playing it on Sunset.....Joe fired him over it !!

Sheep Shagger

Cant see the new line up working, Dublin especially has a very fragmented radio market, just can't see how even KT will carve out a niche at breakfast that they presumably are hoping will lead in to increased listenership for the day.

john457

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974053#Comment_122974053

You could indeed be right. The only way to do it is to go to personality driven radio, like TodayFm did 20 years ago, and try steal soft Radio 1 listeners who listen to Louise Duffy and Ray Darcy for the easy going stuff.

It’s not going to work if Kathryn announces 9 hits in a row out of news at the top of the hour.

You could easily now see a chatty link up at 945 with Tubridy to plug his show if they are smart.

Peter Dragon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973247#Comment_122973247

Surprised Renault didn’t sponsor Tubridy’s show considering their previous relationship worked out so well…..

Is it a sign of the dwindling power of NKM that these superstar talents are no longer working in RTÉ, or is it just a shift of said power to a new Eircode?

Can’t wait for the spin!

She’s “always dreamed of the gig” apparently.

https://evoke.ie/2024/12/19/entertainment/kathryn-thomas-exciting-new-job

SOP employed with fellow NK superstar talent amongst the first to congratulate her, along with the usual gushing praise from completely genuine and not in any way fake followers. It’s almost like there’s a playbook for this stuff…..

nonetheless

It is typical of NewsUK's preference for personalities over substance. The rebrand will probably will be exactly as they say - a possible name change and logo. However if they do not address their music programming policies in terms of playlists and how they specifically target their demographic, then they are simply front loading the radio station with personality radio for 50% of 7am to 7pm. For a typical weekday they may end up producing a disjointed overall sound and feel when their priority should be focussing on what they are playing as opposed to who is playing it. Again, Ryan Tubridy alone has not improved Q102's overall listenership figures and unless they really change the core sound of the radio station, the addition of Kathryn Thomas may not be enough to elevate them to just short of double digit percentage figures in future JNLR's.

They need to do more than what is appearing to be thinking outside the box, they need to drastically change what's inside of it also.

its_steve116

Very, VERY surprised to see Kathryn Thomas joining a commercial station. I have always associated her with RTÉ.

ford fiesta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974868#Comment_122974868

lucky RTE, finally gone lets hope after 25 years.

Expunge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974868#Comment_122974868

It may have something to do with continuing her lucrative gigs/endorsements off the air. Fitness bootcamps and all that stuff. That may not have been possible in the "new" RTE.

She'll still probably crop up on some RTE TV show or other, if it's made by an independent production house.

Personally, I can't see her adding too many listeners for Q102 in the mornings. She's never had to carry a show long term and she's fairly dire.

And there won't be a team of multiple producers and assistants getting her stuff outside the glass. Commercial radio could be a cold house for the likes of her.

nonetheless

Its a very dark time for music radio in this country particularly when it looks like the services of an extremely experienced jock such as Andy have been dispensed with to make way for this new lineup and that is what I believe it will just amount to with some window dressing.

They will monitor the success of Thomas' show before networking it across the other Wireless radio stations and that is really their end game here. Nothing really against her, but honestly I do not rate her and for the sake of Wireless' current morning drive presenters and what is supposed to be local radio, I am hoping...

Rock Solid

Andy started in FM104 in November 1995. He was on Hot 107 before that. The guys in 104 had been listening to Hot 107 and gave him a call. After that Hot 107 was sold to Club Fm and most of the Hot 107 djs left. He was on several pirates in the 90s mainly Radio Dublin, Sunset and Hot 107. Almost 30 years in radio. Hope he will be back on air soon.

Red Fred

I wonder will Q revive this for the theme music for Dublin Today.

https://youtu.be/_Fm10whccto?si=hViPKpOljvm6mb52

chilloutrelax

Stephen Daly (former today fm) is on Q102 this evening. Maybe another new addition perhaps…

ford fiesta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122977690#Comment_122977690

legal radio yes nearly 30 years …but he has been on the pirates since late 80s 1988 if I'm not mistaken ??

TheBMG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122978869#Comment_122978869

Andys been on since 1987

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122978040#Comment_122978040

It does sound very like this...

https://youtube.com/watch?v=QsxdK6Ps6Wo

I Cant Believe Its Not Butter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973257#Comment_122973257

Radio and rumours go hand in hand!

Luker

I will miss Andy, not being negative but I don’t think Katherine can carry a 3 hour show. I hope they do change their music playlists. I listen to virgin radio a lot here and it’s miles ahead

ford fiesta

who are the past or present Q102 presenters have been previously with RTE TV or Radio, there's a new thread for Declan !!?

TheBMG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122981886#Comment_122981886

Gerry Stevens

Alan Shortt

Tubbs (!)

Matthew Norrie

Dave Redmond

chilloutrelax

I think Jim McCabe has done some work on RTE tv

ford fiesta

Scott Williams very briefly with 2FM around 1989

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122982685#Comment_122982685

Never knew that.

Declan A Walsh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122981886#Comment_122981886

I started a number of threads previously about Lite FM/Q102- I had better not!

Edit: Liam Quigley is another name for that list. He was the original breakfast presenter during the Lite FM era. He then turned up as a weekend presenter on 2FM. The aforementioned Jim McCabe was the second Lite FM breakfast presenter. While I think of it, former 2FM presenters Mike Maloney, Hugh O'Brien and Bob Conway were part of Lite FM's original schedule. Another former 2FM presenter Gerry Wilson turned up for a few months during the Lite FM era.