Why no proper Dublin station for older listeners ?

Mr Sea Wolf · 31-12-2015 04:03PM #1

Down the country all the local stations happily target the 50+ market and make big profits, Paul Claffey etc are household names in their regions but all the Dublin stations target the under 35s/45s.

Trebor176 · 31-12-2015 04:55PM

They tried it with Lite FM (now Q102) and 4fm, which has completely changed format since it started six years ago. It had originally played true classics from mainly the 60s and 70s, but it just didn't work for whatever reason. It became more like Q102, and now seems to be a "future classic hits" station, many of which I question.

Lite FM had a similar format in its early days, but it later relaunched as Q102. While that was fine in its early days, it changed format and is at it is currently. It is popular, yes, but not the most exciting station in terms of music.

Both original formats were great to listen to. As an almost 30 year old, who likes the older music, both were a joy to listen to. But, I guess it was a case of having to compete with the other radio stations around Dublin, hence the changes in formats to include more up-to-date music.

badgersbelief · 31-12-2015 06:07PM

Sunshine 106.8 is worth a try. It plays mostly relaxing music but it is the number one station for people in the 50+ demographic.

hullaballoo · 31-12-2015 06:09PM

I would have said either Sunshine or Nova for the >50s.

Mr Sea Wolf · 31-12-2015 07:50PM

badgersbelief wrote: »

Sunshine 106.8 is worth a try. It plays mostly relaxing music but it is the number one station for people in the 50+ demographic.

I wouldn't consider a station with 16 hours a day of voice tracking a proper radio station.

chilloutrelax · 31-12-2015 09:28PM

Mr Sea Wolf wrote: »

I wouldn't consider a station with 16 hours a day of voice tracking a proper radio station.

What shows are live and are not?
What's it like at the weekend?

Grolschevik · 31-12-2015 11:24PM

What's an "older listener" and what music is suited to them? Lemmy was 70. Would Motorhead be "older listening"?

Mr Sea Wolf · 01-01-2016 05:56AM

Take Alf McCarthy for example, not one single commercial station in Dublin would be a suitable home for him yet he could easily fit in on most local stations outside Dublin.

Max Headroom · 01-01-2016 12:41PM

hullaballoo wrote: »

I would have said either Sunshine or Nova for the >50s.

Then you would be wrong imo...Nova plays mediocre MOR singles rock, the songs the <40 would be familiar with from listening to their da's records...theyre not aiming themselves at pensioners...;)

Avatar MIA · 01-01-2016 12:47PM

Mr Sea Wolf wrote: »

I wouldn't consider a station with 16 hours a day of voice tracking a proper radio station.

What do you want?

"We are sad to announce the following deaths..."

L1011 · 03-01-2016 03:58AM

Mr Sea Wolf wrote: »

Down the country all the local stations happily target the 50+ market and make big profits, Paul Claffey etc are household names in their regions but all the Dublin stations target the under 35s/45s.

Your idea of "big profits" compared to what the Dublin ILRs would imagine are big profits is going to be an issue here.

The full service ILRs often make razor-thin margins and thats with 40-60% (or higher) market share.

ford fiesta · 03-01-2016 04:03AM

Mr Sea Wolf wrote: »

Take Alf McCarthy for example, not one single commercial station in Dublin would be a suitable home for him yet he could easily fit in on most local stations outside Dublin.

Agreed.

Apart from Paddy Cole on Sunshine, John Clarke on his one show for Radio Nova must be the oldest presenter (65 ish) on Commercial radio in Dublin. Note how he is not a swing jock at the station either!

Why no proper Dublin station for older listeners ?

Comments