Young people turn on to BEAT

A NEW regional radio station launched yesterday will be music to the ears of young people right across the south east, the team behind the venture has promised.

BEAT 102-103 went on air for the first time just after 1pm yesterday, marking a new era for independent radio, and the reception from the public and advertisers has already been strong.

Broadcasting from a multi-million euro broadcast centre in Waterford city, BEAT is dedicated to serving 15 to 34-year-olds in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and south Tipperary.

Shareholders in the station include some of the biggest names in Irish music and entertainment, including Paul McGuinness, manager of U2 and Mean Fiddler boss Vince Power.

It was fitting that the first song played was U2’s Beautiful Day.

You’re a Star runner-up Simon Casey entertained the station’s 200 guests, along with rising Irish stars, Luke Thomas and Skyndeep.

BEAT 102-103 chief executive Kieran McGeary said the station would be made by young people, for young people.

“This is the first time that young people in the south east will have a radio station catering solely for them.

"We have a young management team, fresh new and talented presenters delivering an exciting service that finally delivers everything young people want in a radio station.”

The station is committed to developing new, Irish talent and standing by its slogan, Your Music Now, he added.

“As a music-based station, BEAT will be different. We are committed to celebrating and promoting the best Irish talent and that is evident not only in our playlist but also in the staff we have employed.

“Music testing will be an ongoing feature of the station to ensure we are playing the music our audience wants to hear. We will epitomise the phrase Your Music Now.”

BEAT chairman Des Whelan said he believes a station such as BEAT is something the young people of the south east had been waiting for for a very long time.

“Until today, the young people of the south east didn’t have a station they could call their own.

"Now they do. Along with the directors and the management team, I have no doubt that our audience will respond to the sound and the presence of BEAT, and we are delighted to see it brought to fruition.”