20 staff laid off

Declan A Walsh · 28-02-2014 1:24am

From the Radio Forum earlier tonight

paulbok wrote: »

I heard Claire Beck this evening on about her last show for phantom, I wonder what has changed?

Claire, if you remember, is supposed to be one of the staff who was saved. Perhaps she decided this was a good a time as any to move on, rather than stay in an atmosphere of intrigue and uncertainty. Maybe she has managed to save someone else's job by so doing.

I don't know - what does anyone else think?

Ultimate Ultan · 28-02-2014 3:02am

Originally posted on another thread:

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/media-and-marketing/phantom-radio-to-align-with-today-fm-and-rebrand-as-txfm-in-march-1.1707510

W@nk, w@nk, w@nk.

room_149 · 28-02-2014 11:41am

"A statement released to The Irish Times said TXFM would retain its own targets, budgets and “market ambitions” and would work in “greater unison with Today FM”...."

Not too sure what to make of that statement to be honest.

room_149 · 28-02-2014 11:53am

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

From the Radio Forum earlier tonight

Claire, if you remember, is supposed to be one of the staff who was saved. Perhaps she decided this was a good a time as any to move on, rather than stay in an atmosphere of intrigue and uncertainty. Maybe she has managed to save someone else's job by so doing.

I don't know - what does anyone else think?

It's her last show tonight. I thought she did a decent job in the evenings since starting there a couple of years back & will tune in to wish her well for the future.
If what you speculate is true regarding her leaving to create a space for someone, then that would indeed be very noble of her in the extreme.

Id only wish the Joe Donnelly lad would do the decent thing and go back to his home planet of Gob****e Prime aka Daytime middle of the Road radio for housewives, cats & mentally unwell.

paulbok · 28-02-2014 1:27pm

In the style of Joe & Keith, #savetheritchies

The_Captain · 01-03-2014 12:53am

Can we officially say at this point that every fan of Phantom hates Joe and Keith?

I don't think I've ever met anyone who was a fan of their show

Srobify · 01-03-2014 1:04am

The_Captain wrote: »

Can we officially say at this point that every fan of Phantom hates Joe and Keith?

I don't think I've ever met anyone who was a fan of their show

I liked it

Junk Adele · 01-03-2014 4:04am

I have listened even before Phantom was Phantom. when Simon was in a shed in Ballybrack. I have told people from various countries to listen to Phantom. I am now embarrassed .
I have now realised that Phantom has to Die.
If we keep listening, it's a false loyalty. We love what they were, they aren't that now. We are older, they are dead. Do not tune in any more because, you (we) are greasing the Machine. Phantom is Dead! Let's kill Phantom.
It hurts me, but there you go.
To all the the people like Me and me Mates, and you lot in Raheny, Firhouse, ballybrack, and all around the world...."
Phantom is Dead
Long live Phantom.

Junk Adele · 01-03-2014 4:15am

P.S.
Why should you show your loyalty to a shower of.... who don't care about you?

room_149 · 01-03-2014 1:22pm

The_Captain wrote: »

Can we officially say at this point that every fan of Phantom hates Joe and Keith?

I don't think I've ever met anyone who was a fan of their show

Pretty unscientific stuff here now, but Id wager the percentage that didn't like them or their show was in the 85-89% range.
My 'sample study' was taken from work colleagues, friends, family, dogs, cats & acquaintances in the real world (and online) who are/were Phantom listeners!!

CamillaRhodes · 02-03-2014 11:33am

Junk Adele wrote: »

I have listened even before Phantom was Phantom. when Simon was in a shed in Ballybrack. I have told people from various countries to listen to Phantom. I am now embarrassed .
I have now realised that Phantom has to Die.
If we keep listening, it's a false loyalty. We love what they were, they aren't that now. We are older, they are dead. Do not tune in any more because, you (we) are greasing the Machine. Phantom is Dead! Let's kill Phantom.
It hurts me, but there you go.
To all the the people like Me and me Mates, and you lot in Raheny, Firhouse, ballybrack, and all around the world...."
Phantom is Dead
Long live Phantom.

Your post makes me so sad, but I fear maybe you're right. I wouldn't say it's all dead, your (almost) namesake's show has a fair dose of integrity (is that you??), ditto the Ritchies and, to be fair, though we all howled in disgust when Claire Beck was hired, she actually turned out to be more than daycent. It just seems the top level management making the big programming decisions - the tone and voice of new hires (*cough*breakfast*cough*), the incessant heavy-rotation choices etc. - didn't have a clue about what Phantom was and why it had a listenership.

The other tough reality is that advertising spend in traditional media is down all-round, and the more old-school business mindsets who would advertise on radio wouldn't necessarily 'get' the old-style niche Phantom either. The solution had to be either try really hard to get niche brand partnerships, brands whose close association with Phantom would tie-in with their listener demographic, rather than just chasing regular ad-slot spend (in which Phantom couldn't compete with mainstream stations) or cut their expenses - maybe they did have too many paid DJs, or other operational expenses? (I have no idea on this, just speculating, but I assume back in the day everyone was working for a lot less).

It's the same sort of challenges facing quality newspapers and magazines these days; readership is down, advertisers are moving away to where the readership is (online), but there is still such an inherent cultural need for quality journalism - facebook and TMZ can not replace it. God help us all if they do.

But so how does a niche station remain profitable enough to cover costs, while retaining its integrity and not trying to emulate todayfm? I have no answer to this. I wish someone at phantom did, but I guess not either

Srobify · 02-03-2014 7:41pm

What is it with Phantoms obsession with John Grant. His new song is on the station 63% of the time 25% of the time.

thalia_13 · 02-03-2014 7:57pm

Srobify wrote: »

What is it with Phantoms obsession with John Grant. His new song is on the station 63% of the time 25% of the time.

His gig tomorrow night probably is the main reason,?

Srobify · 02-03-2014 8:02pm

thalia_13 wrote: »

His gig tomorrow night probably is the main reason,?

I was basically making the point of the repetitiveness of station lately

whiskeyman · 03-03-2014 2:30pm

Kelly Ann Byrne is already signed up to TodayFM it seems from her Twitter.
The weekender is a great mix of tunes, so good to see her still going.

micar · 03-03-2014 9:37pm

whiskeyman wrote: »

Kelly Ann Byrne is already signed up to TodayFM it seems from her Twitter.
The weekender is a great mix of tunes, so good to see her still going.

I like her show. She plays music I ordinarily wouldn't listen to.

It makes want to go out and get some of the albums but I can never remember who she plays.

thalia_13 · 04-03-2014 2:41am

Srobify wrote: »

I was basically making the point of the repetitiveness of station lately

You are right, and I knew what you meant, when a certain gig is coming up, they really play the band /artists to death, so because he was tonight, he got alot of airplay. same with St Vincent last week, it does my head in.

saying that, Today Fm and 2fm played RHCP to.death around the time they played Phoenix Park etc, I flipping hate them as a band now, because hearing them incessantly in.work just ruined any enjoyment of songs....

ghostdancer · 04-03-2014 10:13am

whiskeyman wrote: »

Kelly Ann Byrne is already signed up to TodayFM it seems from her Twitter.
The weekender is a great mix of tunes, so good to see her still going.

I wonder if it will be simulcast on Phantom at the same time.

whiskeyman · 07-03-2014 12:52pm

So, next week is the last week then? Or has a set day bee picked for the 're-launch'?
Seems odd still hearing the Phantom shows / line ups getting advertised, knowing their fate.

Five Lamps · 09-03-2014 5:34pm

Does anybody know when Phantom closes and the new yoke starts? Is there a fancy launch? Any of the Madmen in ad land getting briefed on the new station? It will be interesting to see what happens at weekends. Perhaps Ed's Indie Disco spilling over onto Phantom as well or can we expect pre-records from various people in Marconi House?

Pudsy33 · 09-03-2014 5:43pm

Last week for the presenters this week but I have heard nothing of a launch yet

Declan A Walsh · 13-03-2014 11:31pm

The last Ritchie and Ritchie Show finished at 10 - last show for Ritchie McCormack and second last for Ritchie Ryan (one more Stadium Rock this Saturday). Much emotion - see other thread about Ritchie and Ritchie.

Now we are on to Laura Lee Conboy's last Spiral Stares. Laura and her two on-air guests (one of whom is Phantom's Will St. Ledger - his last Weekender tomorrow) are a bit giddy. They are doing a kind of best of in the Gothic sphere- the music is great so far. Wish I had listened to Spiral Stares more over the years. Always the same story!

Great song from the The Cure being played now as I re-edit this post!

I presume the last Metal Notes, Lounge and ICON were on this week.

Declan A Walsh · 14-03-2014 1:26am

By the way, after going way from it for a while, I came back to the radio and listened to about the last half-hour of the final Spiral Stares. Laura spent over 5 minutes talking about some of her highlights with Phantom over the years.

I did not know until tonight that she came to Phantom in 2003. That must have been while it was still a pirate because she certainly did not crop up in the schedule in their first temporary license later the same year. How could you miss a name like that?!

They overran by about 5 minutes. What were the bosses going to do about that? Sack her?! The closing song was sheer class - "Transmission" by Joy Division.

Birneybau · 14-03-2014 10:52am

You know what, we should start a campaign to get as many people to unlike Phantom on Facebook and stop following them on Twitter. I'm glad John Caddell and to a lesser extent, Clare Beck are staying but jeez, Joe over the 2 Richies or any of the specialist shows? For shame.

ghostdancer · 14-03-2014 11:44am

missed the last R&R, hopefully someone recorded it like when Michelle and Richie and the others finished up in 2012.

caught Derek Byrne's last show of The Lounge on Tuesday night, sad to see that go, always hearing great tunes new and old on there.
http://www.phantom.ie/blogs/190.191.196.251/4652/-/Playlist:_The_Last_Lounge_%E2%80%93_Tuesday_11th_of_March_2014%20-%20Playlist:_The_Last_Lounge_%E2%80%93_Tuesday_11th_of_March_2014

lordgoat · 14-03-2014 1:35pm

ghostdancer wrote: »

missed the last R&R, hopefully someone recorded it like when Michelle and Richie and the others finished up in 2012.

caught Derek Byrne's last show of The Lounge on Tuesday night, sad to see that go, always hearing great tunes new and old on there.
http://www.phantom.ie/blogs/190.191.196.251/4652/-/Playlist:_The_Last_Lounge_%E2%80%93_Tuesday_11th_of_March_2014%20-%20Playlist:_The_Last_Lounge_%E2%80%93_Tuesday_11th_of_March_2014

Super show. Will miss Derek on t'radio. He DJ's in Doyles on a thurs night if anyone wants a good dance.

whiskeyman · 14-03-2014 8:26pm

Seems surreal with still no word on the new shows or rebrand.
Why even bother tune in next week?
It's been like a wake of sorts over the past couple of weeks.

BaronVon · 15-03-2014 11:59am

This last week has been one of best weeks for Phantom ever, most of the DJ's seemed to be cutting loose, playing what the wanted to play. The way it always should have been!

And it was refreshingly good!

So long Phantom, it's been emotional....

Declan A Walsh · 15-03-2014 12:27pm

It's interesting that every time people are doing their last show that the music mix gets much more adventurous and loose and free. During the last few days, it had the spirit of the old Phantom from the pirate days and the early licensed days.

I will tune in next week (wearing my anorak!) to see what is going on. I am always interested in the latest radio development, even if it is simply a rebrand.

Best of luck to those who have just left or will have left by the end of the weekend.

Did anyone catch the last Metal Notes on Monday or the last Icon on Wednesday?

lordgoat · 15-03-2014 12:31pm

great overview here.

http://t.co/CTMzAEV2Oi

Ciaran · 15-03-2014 12:53pm

Great to hear NPB on the radio again. Cathal Funge playing some good stuff this morning.

Declan A Walsh · 15-03-2014 1:09pm

lordgoat wrote: »

great overview here.

http://t.co/CTMzAEV2Oi

That is a brilliant article.

A couple of omissions though:
1. Phantom had another influential heavy metal guru during its pirate era - Tom Hayes.

2.There was no mention of the temporary licensed era of 2003 and 2004. During Phantom's two temporary license runs, one or two more names joined the station such as Sinead Ni Mhordha. Also, Steve Conway was Head of News, harking back to the type of role he had when he was with offshore pirate Radio Caroline.

3. What about Ger Rowe's Anorak Hour (briefly called Media Beacon during the temporary runs)? This pre-dated Phantom and kept going until April 1st 2007. This was an important link with the station's founders' anorak interests.

4. There was no mention of Brian Daly who left legal radio to join Phantom as a pirate and was to be their marketing director when it went commercial. He was another important figure in the station's history.

5. I think Aidan Lynch and Alcatraz is worth a mention too. He effectively set up the musical blueprint for Phantom when he left Simon Maher's Coast FM in 1994 to set up an alternative rock off-shoot called Alcatraz. Jack Hyland and John Caddell both came from Alcatraz. After Coast FM closed in February 1996, it was followed in July of that year by Spectrum. Spectrum was a combination of Coast FM and Alcatraz staff. As we know, this was to become Phantom. Aidan was part of the original management team when it became fully licensed and he was also the original presenter of Icon.

But, I don't wish to take away from the article as it still gives a very good account of the station's history. It is the most detailed one I have seen yet.

BaronVon · 15-03-2014 4:24pm

Great article, I remember working part time in Kilmainham in 96/97, and coming across Spectrum on the radio in the shop. It was class, never heard radio like it. I used to like the way they prided themselves on their cheapness, like picking competition winners from the 'Spectrum Plastic Bag'!

Unfortunately, the signal wasn't strong enough to get it at home, so I could only listen to it in work. I used to love work back then!

Declan A Walsh · 15-03-2014 9:01pm

I heard the last 20 minutes or so of Richie Ryan's Stadium Rock today - his last with Phantom. It was a bit of an emotional affair. He mentioned the famous shed and Simon Maher and of course the other Richie. He also mentioned at one point friends Gerry and Cliona. It could be a coincidence but former boss of Phantom Ger Rowe's partner was called Cliona (she used to be on Coast FM after Ger).

Richie's last song: We Are the Champions by Queen.

Earlier this morning, I heard the end of The Breakfast Club with Nadine O'Regan - another person finishing up. She kept it very professional with almost business as usual. Her last song was "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty.

Adiaga 2 · 16-03-2014 1:26pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

I heard the last 20 minutes or so of Richie Ryan's Stadium Rock today - his last with Phantom. It was a bit of an emotional affair. He mentioned the famous shed and Simon Maher and of course the other Richie. He also mentioned at one point friends Gerry and Cliona. It could be a coincidence but former boss of Phantom Ger Rowe's partner was called Cliona (she used to be on Coast FM after Ger).

Richie's last song: We Are the Champions by Queen.

Earlier this morning, I heard the end of The Breakfast Club with Nadine O'Regan - another person finishing up. She kept it very professional with almost business as usual. Her last song was "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty.

All the guys finishing up these last few days have been so dignified and professional about everything and it's been really humbling to listen to. The end of Stadium Rock yesterday was just about perfect.

BaronVon · 16-03-2014 9:46pm

I've decided Phantom should be taken over by RTE, and financed as a public service. Where are the state broadcaster's schedule is indie and alternative music catered for? 3 hours on a Sunday with Cormac Battle's Battle Axe?

We all pay our TV licence for RTE, and what do we get? Lyric FM? I suppose it's alternative, but not in the same vein as Phantom.

As someone pointed out earlier, a station like Phantom would probably never be financially viable, but that's what makes it so good, it doesn't sound like all the other generic stations, which are just painful to listen to.

So, in order to provide a public service to independent and alternative music lovers, homegrown and up and coming Irish bands, RTE should take over the Phantom licence, hire the pre 2012 DJ's back, and let the good times roll on!

Birneybau · 16-03-2014 9:53pm

infacteh wrote: »

I've decided Phantom should be taken over by RTE, and financed as a public service. Where are the state broadcaster's schedule is indie and alternative music catered for? 3 hours on a Sunday with Cormac Battle's Battle Axe?

We all pay our TV licence for RTE, and what do we get? Lyric FM? I suppose it's alternative, but not in the same vein as Phantom.

As someone pointed out earlier, a station like Phantom would probably never be financially viable, but that's what makes it so good, it doesn't sound like all the other generic stations, which are just painful to listen to.

So, in order to provide a public service to independent and alternative music lovers, homegrown and up and coming Irish bands, RTE should take over the Phantom licence, hire the pre 2012 DJ's back, and let the good times roll on!

I agree with you but 2xm does that job for them.

The_Captain · 16-03-2014 11:54pm

I'm guessing what's on now is just pre-recorded bits from various presenters about their favourite songs etc.
When does it actually go off the air? Midnight?

whiskeyman · 17-03-2014 12:12am

John C mentioned earlier that TXFM will launch on the 31st March, and that there will still be music between now and then. No mentioned of what that entails though.

Seems to be a 'best of' highlight show at the moment?
It stops at midnight? Anyone been listening? I only tuned in around 20mins ago.

Twizzler · 17-03-2014 1:00am

whiskeyman wrote: »

John C mentioned earlier that TXFM will launch on the 31st March, and that there will still be music between now and then. No mentioned of what that entails though.

Seems to be a 'best of' highlight show at the moment?
It stops at midnight? Anyone been listening? I only tuned in around 20mins ago.

Yep, listening here...they're playing out with The Frames, Revelate.

whiskeyman · 17-03-2014 1:05am

Tasks for tomorrow:
Delete all '1' saved presets on my various radios...

Birneybau · 17-03-2014 1:13am

Listening myself, the link is now "This is...105.2". Depressing.

Twizzler · 17-03-2014 1:19am

Birneybau wrote: »

Listening myself, the link is now "This is...105.2". Depressing.

Isn't it? I think someone is trying to give us a message with some of the songs chosen so far - Pulp, After You and Editors, An End Has a Start...
Really hope the talent that's been let go finds a voice somewhere else. I loved the fact that I was listening to people who absolutely live their love of music. You certainly don't get that everywhere on the dial.

Piriz · 17-03-2014 1:20am

watching on digital tv it says Phantom Tunes: Back to back Phantom favourites and the best new music till dawn; Start: 00.00 Duration: 420 min..

it is a bit depressing...if it was a national radio station it would have been huge!!

jam_mac_jam · 17-03-2014 1:21am

I really don't know what I am going to listen to now on the radio... really sad to see it go.

Piriz · 17-03-2014 1:25am

yea its a disaster, ever drive out of dublin to limerick or something..after about a 100k phantom disappears off the air.. its poxy ! then when you drive back and you can hear it again...its relief...

Big Nasty · 17-03-2014 1:32am

Anyone remember when Sunshine (I listen to the red hot sound of sunshine one-oh-one) went off the air years ago?

Piriz · 17-03-2014 1:36am

Big Nasty wrote: »

Anyone remember when Sunshine (I listen to the red hot sound of sunshine one-oh-one) went off the air years ago?

Sunset FM?

Five Lamps · 17-03-2014 1:44am

Big Nasty wrote: »

Anyone remember when Sunshine (I listen to the red hot sound of sunshine one-oh-one) went off the air years ago?

Would have been December 1988!

Birneybau · 17-03-2014 1:46am

WE ARE PHANTOM!

20 staff laid off

Comments