Latest news with #GalwayBayFM
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Classic Hits owner acquires Galway Bay FM for ‘seven-figure sum'
The owner of Classic Hits FM, Bay Broadcasting, has confirmed the acquisition of Galway Bay FM which has a weekly listenership of 132,000 for a 'seven-figure sum', pending regulatory approval. Bay Broadcasting, the owners of Radio Nova, Classic Hits and Sunshine 106.8, is set to add the 25-employee station to its stable, the company confirmed to The Irish Times. The director of Bay Broadcasting, Kevin Branigan, said Galway Bay FM 'stands out as one of Ireland's most respected local stations' and said it possesses a 'loyal audience and a strong local identity'. 'It's one of the most enduring local radio stations in the country and its track record speaks for itself. We look forward to working with the excellent team in Galway Bay FM and to continuing the station's proud position as the leading radio service in Galway,' he said. READ MORE The station's chairman, Peter Allen, speaking on behalf of the departing shareholders said there had been 'several interested parties' but added that the eventual winning party was the 'clear choice'. The purchase of Galway Bay FM will bring Bay Broadcasting's national listenership figures to 810,000, which it said will make them the second largest radio group in the State. The acquisition would, they said, lead to them overtaking Onic, the owner of Fm104 and Q102, which has 796,000 listeners. The acquisition has already been approved by Coimisiún na Meán but is subject to Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and ministerial approval. Galway Bay FM originally launched under the name Radio West in 1989 before rebranding in 1993. The Connacht Tribune Ltd, which first owned a 27 per cent stake, became sole owners in 2006.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Classic Hits owner Bay Broadcasting set to purchase Galway Bay FM
Galway Bay FM has been purchased by Classic Hits owner Bay Broadcasting from the publishers of the Connacht Tribune. The deal is subject to approval by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and ministerial approval. Just last week, it emerged that the Connacht Tribune is set to be sold to the publisher of the Iconic group of newspapers, Malcolm Denmark, subject to CCPC approval. Galway Bay FM launched in 1989 under the name Radio West, rebranding in 1993. The Connacht Tribune Ltd, which owned a 27% stake, became sole owners in 2006. Galway Bay FM broadcasts to Galway city and county, with a market share of 34%, with listeners predominantly in the age 27 to 60 bracket. The station has a staff count of 25 at is based at Sandy Road in the city. "Galway Bay FM stands out as one of Ireland's most respected local stations, with a loyal audience and a strong local identity," said Bay Broadcasting director Kevin Branigan. "It's one of the most enduring local radio stations in the country and its track record speaks for itself. We look forward to working with the excellent team in Galway Bay FM and to continuing the station's proud position as the leading radio service in Galway." Bay Broadcasting is privately-owned and co-founded by Mike Ormonde and Mr Branigan. It operates Dublin music radio stations Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8, along with Ireland's Classic Hits Radio, which broadcasts to Dublin Cork, Limerick, and Galway. With the addition of Galway Bay FM, Bay Broadcasting will become the second largest radio group in Ireland - and the only Irish-owned radio group - now larger than Onic (formerly Wireless), operators of FM104/Q102 in Dublin, 96FM/103FM in Cork, Live 95 in Limerick,and LMFM in Louth/Meath. The purchase of Galway Bay FM will give Bay 810,000 listeners compared to Onic's 796,000 listeners. The acquisition has already been approved by Coimisiún na Meán. It stands Bay Broadcasting only behind Bauer, whose stations include Newstalk, Today FM, RedFM 98FM, Spin South West, and Beat 102-103.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Radio Nova owner to buy Galway Bay FM
The competition authority says it has been notified of the proposed acquisition by Bay Broadcasting Ltd, which also has a substantial shareholding in Sunshine 106.8, of Western Community Broadcasting Holdings Ltd, which operates the Galway station. Galway Bay FM has been part of the Connacht Tribune since 2006, when the newspaper bought out other shareholders in the local radio station at a cost of €20m. It already held a 27pc stake. The Connacht Tribune itself is to be purchased by Malcolm Denmark's Iconic Media Group, which is already the biggest regional newspaper publisher in the State. Three Galway families – the Allens, Naughtons and Hickeys – own the Tribune group, and it was reported last year they had hired IBI Corporate Finance to find a buyer for its assets. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission said last week it had been formally notified of the proposed acquisition of the Galway-based newspaper by Formpress Publishing, part of the Iconic group. Media reports had initially linked Bauer Media to the purchase of Galway Bay FM. The owner of national stations Today FM and Newstalk has recently added Red FM, iRadio and Beat 102-103 to its stable. Instead the acquisition is being made by Bay Broadcasting Ltd, whose chief executive is Kevin Branigan, who is the co-owner along with Michael Ormonde. Mr Branigan has previously characterised the Dublin radio scene as a David and Goliath struggle, with Bay Broadcasting taking on 'billionaire owners'. Of late, however, Radio Nova has been the music station with the biggest market share in Dublin, helped by the success of its 'Morning Glory' show presented by Jim McCabe and comedian PJ Gallagher. Last year Mr Branigan wrote to the director general of RTE and to Catherine Martin, the then media minister, offering to buy 2FM for €10m. He said the station could have a positive future, but that 'should be in the private sector and not as a part of RTÉ'. The offer was rejected. The pace of consolidation within local media is quickening, with newspapers in particular coming under the control of a handful of big groups. While there may be some concerns about an over concentration of ownership, regulators must also take into account that some regional media operations will not survive financially unless they become part of bigger stables. Earlier this year Midlands 103, which is ultimately owned by the Tindle Group, bought South East Radio. The Tindle Group operates regional newspapers and radio stations across the UK and the Channel Islands, and Midlands 103, locally managed and serving Laois, Offaly and Westmeath, had been its only station in Ireland.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘The highest village in Ireland now has a Cork Rose' – Nancy Lehane to represent Rebels at 2025 Rose of Tralee
Ms Lehane is a proud native of the Duhallow-based village, the highest in Ireland, and the talented musician is about to live out her childhood dream of being the Cork Rose. Some 25 hopefuls took to the stage with an array of musical talents, eloquent poems and mesmerising dance moves in the hopes to woo the judging panel which consisted of the 2012 International Rose of Tralee Nicola Dunne; 2001 Cork Rose Olivia Walsh Murphy and Sales and Marketing Manager at the Rochestown Park Hotel Steve Cox. Ollie Turner was the host on the night and the Galway Bay FM sports presenter – and Fine Gael councillor – has played a part in Rose of Tralee selection nights for almost two decades, as well as being a judge over the past two renditions of the festival. When Mr Turner opened the envelope which revealed Ms Lehane's name he said: 'The highest village in Ireland now has a Cork Rose,' which was met with a huge roar of approval by the crowd. Ms Lehane recently completed her degree in Primary Education in Limerick and currently works at Bob's Restaurant in Kanturk. The Rose of Tralee will not be her first appearance on television as she competed in Ireland's Fittest Family in 2021. The 21-year-old has a keen interest in volunteering at local events, as well as embarking on a life-changing trip to Uganda to work with children. CEO of The Rose of Tralee Anthony O'Gara complimented Cork for celebrations that is 'very difficult' to replicate anywhere else. 'We have Roses from many counties here tonight, but I think they would agree that out of all the events we had this year, this is the biggest and the grandest, and it says so much about the spirit of Cork city and Cork county,' he said. Mr O'Gara went on to say that the Rose of Tralee is about 'celebrating women'. 'The Rose of Tralee is about celebrating women with their families, their communities and their friends because women are being celebrated more – thankfully. 'The Rose of Tralee has led from the front for many years and making sure that women are recognised for being the leaders of our communities,' he said. He added that the 25 women competing for the sash were 'strong enough to come up here and be themselves'. '25 of them will leave the room tonight and none of them will be the lesser and they will all be the better for having got to know the friends they got to know here. 'They will all leave here as proud as they arrived,' he concluded. A total of €3,550 was raised for the chosen charity partner on the night, the Children's Health Foundation. The charity supports sick children and their families in Children's HeaIth Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres in a number of ways, from funding vital life-saving equipment to supporting ground-breaking research. Ms Lehane will represent Cork at the Rose of Tralee International Festival from August 15 to 19.
Sunday World
25-04-2025
- Sunday World
Uilleann pipes worth €8k stolen from Clare musician's car as she travelled to brother's funeral
Siobhan Hogan, a piper from Corofin, Co Clare, living in Galway city shared on social media that someone stole her uilleann pipes. A public appeal has been launched after uilleann pipes were stolen from a musician's car while she was on her way to her brother's funeral. Siobhan Hogan, a piper from Corofin, Co Clare, living in Galway city shared on social media that someone stole her uilleann pipes. Her appeal to find them was echoed by many local pages on Facebook and Instagram, and was also aired this morning, April 25, on Galway Bay FM. Ms Hogan explained she lost her brother on Friday, April 18, and on her way to County Clare for his funeral, she stopped in Labane and then in Gort. There, she said someone stole her pipes from the boot of her car. Placed in a black wooden case, the pipes are a Mickey Dunne full set that, she said, are worth about €8,500.
