THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6: The latest JNLR results, released today shows that almost 3.5million adults listen to radio every weekday and that Bauer Media Audio Ireland (BMAI) is Ireland’s biggest radio group with the largest number of daily and weekly listeners across its portfolio of national, regional and local stations which includes Today FM, Newstalk, 98FM, SPIN1038, SPIN South West, Cork’s Red FM, iRadio and Beat.
With a Prime time market share of 28.3%, BMAI leads with:
- Weekly Reach (All Adults): 2.25 million
- Daily Reach / Listened Yesterday (All Adults): 1.52million
- Market Share (20–44-year-olds): 41.59%
IMRO National Station of the Year, Today FM now entertains a weekly audience of 930,000 listeners (+2,000 BoB) as it continues to be Ireland’s most listened to commercial radio station. Today FM also saw its daily listenership exceed the half million mark to 503,000 (+4,000 BoB) as well as an increase in market share to 8.8% (+0.4% BoB). The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show is the most listened to show on commercial radio, with an audience figure of 218,000 listeners (+5,000 BoB). Ian Dempsey and his team won gold in the Entertainment Inserts category at the recent IMRO radio awards for the iconic Gift Grub.
Dave Moore continues the growth trend as he increases his mid-morning audience to 204,000 listeners (+6,000 BoB) while Today FM’s lunchtime Gaeilgeoir, Louise Cantillon, saw the largest jump in listenership this time around. Louise now entertains an audience of 129,000 (+10,000 BoB), after an incredibly busy summer broadcasting live from around the country from the Galway Races to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and Electric Picnic. The Last Word with Matt Cooper increased its audience to 184,000, (+3,000 BoB and +17,000 YoY).
Over at Newstalk, weekend listening also proves a popular draw for the station. The Anton Savage Show delivered a record high Saturday audience of 146,000 (+14,000 YoY) while his Sunday show attracted 129,000 listeners (+4,000 YoY).
Elsewhere at the weekends, with news and features about the latest stories in business and the economy, Down To Business presented by Bobby Kerr hit an audience of 125,000, an increase of 13,000 BoB.
In sport, Off The Ball recorded wins on its weekend shows. Presented by John Duggan, Off The Ball Saturday now stands at a listenership of 150,000 (+8,000 YoY) while Sunday’s show jumped by almost 40,000 (39,000) in the past 12 months to reach an audience of 155,000.
Newstalk’s flagship science programme, Futureproof, presented by Jonathan McCrea, achieved a best ever audience of 75,000 (+4,000 BoB). Last month, Futureproof was awarded gold in the Specialist Speech Programme category at the annual IMRO Radio Awards.
The Newstalk national market share stands at 7.6% (-0.6% BoB) and the station now has a weekly reach of 832,000 and a daily reach of 463,000 listeners.
Elsewhere in the BMAI portfolio, there was impressive local programming performances, including iRadio, SPIN South West and Red FM.
SPIN 1038 maintains its number one position Dublin with 15-34’s, with a 22% market share. SPIN’s weekly audience increased to 254,000 (+2,000, BoB) while SPIN Hits with Steve K remains a firm audience favourite with 62,000 listeners (+1,000 BoB).
98FM had a Market Share of 4.9% (-0.6%BoB), a weekly reach of 189,000 (-7,000 BoB) and a daily reach of 92,000 (+9,000 YoY). IMRO Award winning Big Breakfast with Rebecca & Brendan are the choice of 49,000 Dublin listeners (+7,000 YoY) every morning.
In Cork, Red FM continues its track record of popularity, this time recording a Market Share of 20.4% (-0.4% BoB), a weekly reach 167,000, (-7,000BoB) and a daily reach of 136,000 (-4,000 BoB).
The Neil Prendeville Show retains its no.1 spot in Cork, with 79,000 listeners (+1,000 BoB) while Red FM Breakfast with KC now entertains an audience of with 50,000 listeners (unchanged YoY). Ciara Revin’s afternoon show has staked its claim for audience attention with its 66,000 listenership (+2,000, YoY).
SPIN South West grew both Market Share: 13.1% (+3% YoY) and Weekly Reach: 159,000 (+9,000 YoY). Several of its top shows expanded their audiences considerably including breakfast favourites, Fully Charged with Ed & Valerie at 39,000 listeners (+9,000 YoY) while SPIN Hits with Eoghain Fitz scored 63,000 listeners and growing (+14,000 YoY). SPIN South West continues to dominate in the region, when it comes to 15-34’s, with a 46% share.
iRadio, which broadcasts across fifteen counties, reflected its popularity with a solid performance. Market Share stands at 8.8% (+0.7% YoY), achieving a weekly reach of 332,000 listeners (-2,000 BoB) and a Daily Reach of 186,000 listeners (+9,000 YoY).
The biggest show on the station remains Dave & Fionnuala with an audience of 86,000 (-5,000 BoB). It was also good news for iRadio in the Morning with Cooper & Oonagh at 75,000 listeners (+7,000 YoY).
In the South East, Beat achieved a notable performance, delivering a Market Share of 16.3% (+1.7% YoY) and an increased Weekly Reach of 183,000 (+22,000 YoY). Meanwhile, Beat Breakfast held steady with no change to its 59,000 listeners. In addition, Beat Breakfast’s third live podcast event Daily Dilemma Uncensored achieved a sell-out at Wexford’s Spiegeltent last month.
Commenting on the results, Bauer Media Audio Ireland CEO Chris Doyle said;
“These results are a fantastic for everyone at Bauer Media Audio Ireland. We’re passionate about giving listeners fresh, exciting ways to be informed, entertained, and inspired and it’s great to see that passion reflected in the numbers. We’ve now firmly established ourselves as Ireland’s biggest radio group and dominant in audiences under 55. Radio and audio are changing fast, and Bauer is at the forefront; investing, innovating, and finding new ways to reach and excite our listeners and partners. 2026 is shaping up to be another big year, and we’re so grateful to everyone who tunes in and joins us on the journey.”