Today FM

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Today FM
Broadcast area	National Ireland
First air date	March 17, 1997
Frequency	100-101.8 (105.5 north east) MHz Digital terrestrial television DAB digital radio
Format	Contemporary
Owner	EMAP
Website	www.todayfm.com

100-102 Today FM, formerly called Radio Ireland, is one of Ireland's Independent National Radio stations (there are many other independent local commercial stations, however). The station commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997.

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has extended the licence, in principal, to operate the station for an additional 10 years, to 2017. The award of the licence is subject to final negotiations.

Contents 1 Origin: Radio Ireland 2 Current ownership 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Origin: Radio Ireland

The original Independent National Radio franchise holder in Ireland was 100-102 Century Radio, which launched in 1989 and closed down abruptly in late 1991. The Independent Radio and Television Commission did not re-advertise the contract for several years, until 1996.

Radio Ireland Limited, originally owned by John McColgan and Moya Doherty (and because of their involvement, dubbed "Radio Riverdance"), won the contract when it was advertised. The station went on air on 17th March 1997. At first the station was a mixed network, airing much talk programming and various types of music. However after disastrous ratings, the station was revamped, and on 1st January 1998 became 100-102 Today FM. The station axed almost all of its programming and changed its music policy entirely. The IRTC went along with the schedule changes, though in a statement soon after the relaunch said it was not entirely satisfied with the new schedule. However, within three months, the station's listenership had almost doubled.

[edit] Current ownership

In 2002, Scottish Radio Holdings plc acquired Radio Ireland Limited from its shareholders. In June 2005, an agreed takeover offer for that company was made by EMAP plc and is now owned by them.

[edit] See also

• Ray Foley
• Ray Darcy
• Ian Dempsey
• Tom Dunne
• Alice Cooper
• Matt Cooper
• Tony Fenton
• List of Irish radio stations
• List of Irish companies

[edit] External links

• Today FM web site