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The official Christmas FM thread

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Comments

  • #2012
    Heroditas
    Registered Users Posts: 9,441 ✭✭✭Heroditas


    I had to laugh it was Dolly. My 5yo was always laughing and sniggering when that song was played and one day we asked her why.
    She said it sounded like an old person trying to sing while her false teeth were falling out. It's one of the funniest things I've heard in ages and all the funniest because it's not a million miles from the truth. :D


  • #2013
    TRS30
    Registered Users Posts: 6,865 ✭✭✭TRS30


    PaulT21 wrote: »
    The last song was from Dolly Parton, "A Holly Jolly Christmas"

    To be honest I was a bit disappointed with that choice:(

    Was hoping for something more my style, like Last Christmas, or even Mariah:o

    Still it was great to have the station live for one more day.

    Interesting. Thought they would have gone with We need a little Christmas.


  • #2014
    Loughc
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 24,727 Mod ✭✭✭✭Loughc


    TRS30 wrote: »
    Interesting. Thought they would have gone with We need a little Christmas.

    I think it's fitting they did for FM closure, to be Online isn't as big of a deal, especially when they randomly pop up on and off.


  • #2015
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    Loughc wrote: »
    I think it's fitting they did for FM closure, to be Online isn't as big of a deal, especially when they randomly pop up on and off.

    I agree. The FM Launch & end are the 'real' symbolic song choices. And that's fair enough IMO.

    Hope we do get the odd online day throughout the year though, the one last summer was a great day, was convinced I'd be turning it off early & ended up getting well into it & posting here about it most of the working day... really gave me a lift at the time & suspect we'll be needing the odd lift this year too.
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




  • #2016
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    Quick query. I rarely stay up late with Christmas FM on, but during the season they have live presenters (i.e. online and on FM) are there times (say 1am-6am) where there are no presenters and just a playlist? Or do they maintain a presenter 24/7 during that period?
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




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  • #2017
    Posy
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 27,523 Mod ✭✭✭✭Posy


    I don't think there is a presenter at night, but open to correction on this, especially as 2020 was something of a different year!


  • #2018
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    Posy wrote: »
    I don't think there is a presenter at night, but open to correction on this, especially as 2020 was something of a different year!

    I have a vague recollection there is a spell in the wee hours with none. I remember one year (pre covid) being on a night out with the Mrs & when we came home put it on as we were staying up for a night cap and there was no presenter, but like yourself couldn't be 100% sure of that.
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




  • #2019
    Loughc
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 24,727 Mod ✭✭✭✭Loughc


    From 1am to 6am there’s no presenters. Just a playlist like it is during the off-season.


  • #2020
    Posy
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 27,523 Mod ✭✭✭✭Posy


    I was doubting myself, in case somebody was WFH and broadcasting from their bed. :D


  • #2021
    Declan A Walsh
    Registered Users Posts: 5,991 ✭✭✭Declan A Walsh


    A few years ago they did have a presenter between 12pm and 3am on weeknights during its FM run. I remember hearing Dave Miller, a UK deejay, for the first time in 2016 (had to check my posts on Radio forum!). I found out then that he had been doing this gig until 3am since 2015. I know he was still there in 2017, but not sure after that.

    See these posts from 2016 on the Radio Forum:
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=101969366
    https://forumofgames.com/




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  • #2022
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    Loughc wrote: »
    From 1am to 6am there’s no presenters. Just a playlist like it is during the off-season.

    Thats what I thought, thanks for the confirmation.
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




  • #2023
    Loughc
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 24,727 Mod ✭✭✭✭Loughc


    Declan A Walsh wrote: »
    A few years ago they did have a presenter between 12pm and 3am on weeknights during its FM run. I remember hearing Dave Miller, a UK deejay, for the first time in 2016 (had to check my posts on Radio forum!). I found out then that he had been doing this gig until 3am since 2015. I know he was still there in 2017, but not sure after that.

    See these posts from 2016 on the Radio Forum:
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=101969366

    Darragh who has an account on here just to host a 12-3am slot too.

    He once did a boards top 10 for us during that slot, again that was a couple of years ago, I imagine they figured the listenership at that time didn't require live presenters anymore.


  • #2024
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    Loughc wrote: »
    I imagine they figured the listenership at that time didn't require live presenters anymore.

    Makes sense to be fair.
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




  • #2025
    Sheep Shagger
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,216 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    DvB wrote: »
    Makes sense to be fair.

    Yep, most radio stations are either voice tracked or just no announcer overnights and at slow times so for a non for profit it makes sense to make use of such technology while keeping things going.


  • #2026
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    Just wondering, have they announced yet how much was raised for Alone this year? Normally its revealed/announced before the end of January and keen to see if they smashed the record (which IIRC was for Temple Street in 2018?)
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




  • #2027
    Loughc
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 24,727 Mod ✭✭✭✭Loughc


    DvB wrote: »
    Just wondering, have they announced yet how much was raised for Alone this year? Normally its revealed/announced before the end of January and keen to see if they smashed the record (which IIRC was for Temple Street in 2018?)

    Nothing on their socials yet, hopefully we'll hear something soon.


  • #2028
    TRS30
    Registered Users Posts: 6,865 ✭✭✭TRS30


    DvB wrote: »
    Just wondering, have they announced yet how much was raised for Alone this year? Normally its revealed/announced before the end of January and keen to see if they smashed the record (which IIRC was for Temple Street in 2018?)

    Think Barretstown last year just edged by Temple Street but only by a few K.

    Hopefully Alone will go above them both.


  • #2029
    Loughc
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 24,727 Mod ✭✭✭✭Loughc


    DvB wrote: »
    Just wondering, have they announced yet how much was raised for Alone this year? Normally its revealed/announced before the end of January and keen to see if they smashed the record (which IIRC was for Temple Street in 2018?)

    Just announced today. €284,107 raised.

    Great amount. Fair play to all at ChristmasFM.


  • #2030
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    Loughc wrote: »
    Just announced today. €284,107 raised.

    Great amount. Fair play to all at ChristmasFM.

    I was at first disappointed when I heard that figure, but on reflection given how many people were affected negatively financially in 2020 with covid and PUP payments and pay cuts it was inevitable that the higher figures of 2018 and 2019 were unlikely to be matched. So to be close enough to 300k given the circumstances is a fantastic achievement. A huge well done to all involved.
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




  • #2031
    Loughc
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 24,727 Mod ✭✭✭✭Loughc


    The golden rule is anything with children and animals will do well. Other charities struggle.

    So baring that in mind it’s a good figure.


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  • #2032
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    Loughc wrote: »
    The golden rule is anything with children and animals will do well. Other charities struggle.

    So baring that in mind it’s a good figure.

    It is indeed a good figure. I suspect my own thought that Alone was an inspired choice of charity for the times we live in that I allowed myself to get carried away expecting a huge windfall. Hindsight as they say is 20:20 though and I remember posting about charity for the elderly being perceived differently by the general public a while back, so with that in mind had adjusted my expectation accordingly and recognised how well they actually did.

    Looking forward to seeing who this years charity partner is now.
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




  • #2033
    Autosport
    Registered Users Posts: 22,225 ✭✭✭✭Autosport


    Loughc wrote: »
    The golden rule is anything with children and animals will do well. Other charities struggle.

    So baring that in mind it’s a good figure.

    And lots of workplaces (mine included) have a chosen charity for the year and there are so many looking for donations this time of year.


  • #2034
    Posy
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 27,523 Mod ✭✭✭✭Posy


    Loughc wrote: »
    The golden rule is anything with children and animals will do well. Other charities struggle.
    I don't think Christmas FM have ever chosen an animal charity, sadly. :(


  • #2035
    Posy
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 27,523 Mod ✭✭✭✭Posy


    2008: ISPCC – €35,000

    2009: Simon Community – €71,237

    2010: Barnardos – €86,000

    2011: Focus Ireland – €117,000

    2012: ISPCC – €100,000

    2013: Aware – €85,000

    2014: Age Action – €107,000

    2015: Make A Wish – €278,000

    2016: Focus Ireland – €365,000

    2017: Sightsavers – €214,000

    2018: Temple Street - €404,551

    2019: Barretstown - €412,021

    2020: Alone - €284,107


  • #2036
    TRS30
    Registered Users Posts: 6,865 ✭✭✭TRS30


    Loughc wrote: »
    The golden rule is anything with children and animals will do well. Other charities struggle.

    So baring that in mind it’s a good figure.

    I think OAP charities get tarnish with the notion that old people live in big houses with small overheads and spend their time traveling, playing golf etc. While that might be the case for some for the majority live is far from that unfortunately.


  • #2037
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    TRS30 wrote: »
    I think OAP charities get tarnish with the notion that old people live in big houses with small overheads and spend their time traveling, playing golf etc. While that might be the case for some for the majority live is far from that unfortunately.

    Thats pretty much what I was saying previously. Especially around election times when the diatribe is that the OAP's are well set up & hoard the wealth etc. when the truth is many struggle on the state pension & nothing else. Its really sad.

    BTW, looking through IG last night & saw the post from Christmas FM sharing the cheque being handed over, was reading through the comments & reckon I may have spotted a couple of regulars from in here :pac: good to see if so!!
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




  • #2038
    DvB
    Registered Users Posts: 10,119 ✭✭✭✭DvB


    Been listening to Christmas FM classical & carols the last few days & have just copped it appears to be the same playlist every day. I pretty much turn it on to the same tune every morning at the same time! Or is that pure coincidence?

    The only other bug bear is the lst showing the previously (& current song) being played doesnt update so I've no way of knowing the names of the songs which is really frustrating me. Anyone any suggestions to address that or is it just an issue with the websites?
    "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens




  • #2039
    Loughc
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 24,727 Mod ✭✭✭✭Loughc


    DvB wrote: »
    The only other bug bear is the lst showing the previously (& current song) being played doesnt update so I've no way of knowing the names of the songs which is really frustrating me. Anyone any suggestions to address that or is it just an issue with the websites?


    Sadly that's a common problem with with app/website. You could try and contact them on their website to let them know, but I doubt it's big on their priority list to fix.


    As for the same playlist each day at same time, I know the regular ChristmasFM one is different, but I imagine the classical one might not have as big of a pool of songs to play from so it might well be the same list.


  • #2040
    PaulT21
    Registered Users Posts: 687 ✭✭✭PaulT21


    DvB wrote: »
    Been listening to Christmas FM classical & carols the last few days & have just copped it appears to be the same playlist every day. I pretty much turn it on to the same tune every morning at the same time! Or is that pure coincidence?

    The Are you Bill Murray by any chance:pac:

    Groundhog Day is over:D:D or not maybe :D


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  • #2041
    Posy
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 27,523 Mod ✭✭✭✭Posy


    Is the first song every morning 'I Got You Babe?' :D


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