Big name broadcasters shed thousands of listeners

RADIO listeners are deserting many of the big name broadcasters in their droves with listenership figures showing worrying trends for the four national stations.

Top presenters such as Pat Kenny, Joe Duffy, Ryan Tubridy, Ray D’Arcy and Ian Dempsey all dived in popularity over the last year according to the annual JNLR (Joint National Listenership Research) released by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

Only RTÉ Radio One’s Marian Finucane and Newstalk’s George Hook bucked the trend, Finucane attracting listeners for her Saturday and Sunday shows and Hook gaining ground in the drive-time slot.