Marty Whelan hits record high as 2FM is top for younger listeners in latest JNLRs

February 07, 2025
Marty Whelan hits record high as 2FM is top for younger listeners in latest JNLRs

Brendan O'Connor, Marty Whelan, and Oliver Callan see big gains in the latest round of JNLRs, with 2FM the most-listened-to radio station for 15 – 34-year-olds.

At the weekend, Brendan O’Connor has seen huge gains, with 358,000 listeners (+16,000 book-on-book) tuning in on Saturdays and 366,000 on Sundays - a massive increase of 27,000 compared to the last round of figures.

Morning Ireland continues to be the number one radio programme in Ireland with an audience of almost half a million each weekday morning

Book-on-book refers to a comparison of the average listenership for programmes across the four previous quarters (three-month periods).

This latest release of JNLRs marks the first full year of figures for Oliver Callan in the 9am - 10am slot on RTÉ Radio 1, and his numbers are on the rise. A total of 349,000 radio fans are tuning in after the school run, up by 11,000 since the last announcement in November.

Brendan O'Connor has seen a massive rise in listeners for his weekend show

Peter Woods, Head of RTÉ Radio 1 said: "This is an outstanding book for RTÉ Radio 1. Our afternoons have stabilised and are climbing again. Our music programmes are performing exceptionally as are our weekends. This is about the trust of listeners and delivering to them on a consistent basis."

Over on lyric fm, Marty Whelan has recorded his highest listenership ever in the early morning slot, with 71,000 waking up with the veteran and much-loved broadcaster. This is an increase of 3,000 since the last book and 15,000 year-on-year.

"Marty Whelan shines and starts the day lightly with his good humour setting the tone along with his unique mix of music, fun and chat."

Doireann Garrihy will return to 2FM in the coming weeks for a new 3pm - 6pm show

2FM is now the most-listened-to radio station in the country among 15 - 34-year-olds with a share of 12.1% and is holding steady numbers-wise ahead of a new roster of presenters joining - and returning - to the station. This is the first full report since The 2 Johnnies departed, and the early evening slot currently has 145,000 listeners tuning in on their commute home, unchanged from the last round.

Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, said: "The team both on and off air have worked hard to bring the best Irish music and content for our listeners, so much so, that 2FM is now the most listened to station in Ireland for 15 to 34-years-olds."

The 2FM Breakfast Show has gained 10,000 listeners (book-on-book) and now has an audience of 152,000, while Laura Fox and Tracy Clifford have seen slight dips, both down 2,000 (book-on-book) to 131,000 and 117,000, respectively. Weekends on 2FM with Bláthnaid Treacy is growing in listenership, with 155,000 (+2,000 book-on-book) on Saturdays and 141,000 (+4,000 book-on-book) on Sundays.

Louise Duffy is joined by 228,000 listeners for her lunchtime tunes

Back on RTÉ Radio 1, Today with Claire Byrne is up 7,000 (book-on-book) to 349,000, The Louise Duffy Show has increased by 5,000 (book-on-book) to 228,000, and the News at One now has 307,000 listeners, a jump of 5,000 since the last book.

Liveline has grown to 314,000 listeners, up 7,000 (book-on-book), while The Ray D’Arcy Show has increased by 6,000 (book-on-book) to 194,000. Drivetime has gained another 5,000 listeners, bringing Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra’s audience to 226,000.

At the weekend, Sunday with Miriam is up by 4,000 (book-on-book) to 304,000.

304,000 tune in to Sunday's with Miriam

"We are privileged that so many people choose to engage with our stations and are particularly delighted to welcome an increase in 15 to 34-year-old listeners across all our services.

"Meanwhile on lyric fm the combination of new voices and lyric fm stalwarts is clearly resonating with the audience as it continues to grow."

Rounding out the top 20 radio programmes in Ireland are The Pat Kenny Show with 237,000 listeners and The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM with 202,000.

Today FM maintains its position as the number one commercial radio station in Ireland with a weekly listening audience of 953,000. Newstalk is the second most-listened-to radio station with a weekly reach of 871,000.

In Dublin, SPIN 1038 has a market share of 6.8% (- 0.3% book-on-book) and a weekly reach of 254,000.

In Cork, Red FM has increased its market share to 21.9% (+1.2% BoB) with a weekly reach of 180,000, an increase of 6,000 book-on-book. The biggest show on Cork radio, The Neil Prendeville Show has an audience of 82,000 (+4,000 book-on-book)