Newstalk favoured for countrywide expansion

Dublin’s Newstalk 106 FM is set to bring its successful brand of talk radio to a national audience.

The station is the favourite to win a new ‘almost-national’ licence announced today by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI).

Eight other commercial radio stations will be created over the next three years.

A BCI spokesperson said expressions of interest will be invited this month on the quasi-national station.

“The licence would could not guarantee 100% national coverage but would have very significant coverage across the country,” she said.

“Newstalk 106 has already expressed an interest in this station.”

Newstalk, which began broadcasting three years ago, grew its share of listeners in Dublin from 4% to 6% in the Joint National Listenership Research last month.

The other licences will focus on new regional youth services, a national Christian service on AM with FM relays and a classic rock service for Dublin and the commuter belt.

A multi-city classic gold/smooth service and Country and Irish music services for the north-east and mid-west regions are also planned.

BCI chief executive Michael O’Keeffe said: “The next three years will see significant changes in the Irish broadcasting landscape with the licensing of a range of additional services.

"The commission believes that the decisions reached with regard to further licensing will add to the diversity of services available for all ages and tastes throughout the country.”