Menu
07/02/2012
UTV Expands Its Local Radio Network
UTV Media has acquired three local radio licences held by MNAB for Telford, Shropshire and Kidderminster to add to its GB radio division which comprises national station talkSPORT and 13 local stations across England and Wales.
These stations will be merged with UTV’s existing station The Wolf to create a new station Signal 107 which will have a potential market of almost 900,000 listeners.
John McCann, Group Chief Executive, UTV Media plc said: "UTV’s local radio business is all about delivering entertaining, engaging and relevant radio to listeners at a local level, and our recent RAJAR and JNLR ratings results continue to encourage us along this path.
"The purchase of these three licences is an important step in growing our local radio network which includes U105 in Belfast and seven local radio stations in the Republic of Ireland. With radio now the largest division in the UTV Group, we look forward to building on our recent ratings success in Ireland and GB in 2012."
UTV’s local radio stations in GB together posted a year-on-year increase of 11% in listening audiences and a 9% increase in listening hours in the last quarter of 2011 according to latest industry figures released by RAJAR.
U105 in Northern Ireland achieved its highest ever market share and listening hours since it launched in 2005 reaching 211,000 people in the same quarter, an increase of 51% year on year; with listening hours up to their highest ever 2.44 million per week and market share now at a record 13.7%.
talkSPORT has reached 3.2 million listeners for this quarter, an increase of 2% quarter on quarter. Listening hours have also increased by 7.3% quarter on quarter and now stand at 22 million. Live football has continued to prove a success for the station, with the live Premier League game on a Saturday evening attracting 9.6% more listeners than at the same point in 2010.
In the Republic of Ireland, UTV is the largest local radio player, the UTV stations; Dublin's FM104, Q102, Cork's 96/C103, Limerick's Live 95FM, Galway Bay FM, Louth Meath's LMFM and Beat 102-103 combined now have a daily reach of 833,000 listeners or 23.8% of the national population. These stations deliver a significant audience in every key urban area in Ireland.
UTV Media plc is one of the most successful media companies in the UK and Ireland incorporating Radio, Television, New Media and Publishing.
(LB)
These stations will be merged with UTV’s existing station The Wolf to create a new station Signal 107 which will have a potential market of almost 900,000 listeners.
John McCann, Group Chief Executive, UTV Media plc said: "UTV’s local radio business is all about delivering entertaining, engaging and relevant radio to listeners at a local level, and our recent RAJAR and JNLR ratings results continue to encourage us along this path.
"The purchase of these three licences is an important step in growing our local radio network which includes U105 in Belfast and seven local radio stations in the Republic of Ireland. With radio now the largest division in the UTV Group, we look forward to building on our recent ratings success in Ireland and GB in 2012."
UTV’s local radio stations in GB together posted a year-on-year increase of 11% in listening audiences and a 9% increase in listening hours in the last quarter of 2011 according to latest industry figures released by RAJAR.
U105 in Northern Ireland achieved its highest ever market share and listening hours since it launched in 2005 reaching 211,000 people in the same quarter, an increase of 51% year on year; with listening hours up to their highest ever 2.44 million per week and market share now at a record 13.7%.
talkSPORT has reached 3.2 million listeners for this quarter, an increase of 2% quarter on quarter. Listening hours have also increased by 7.3% quarter on quarter and now stand at 22 million. Live football has continued to prove a success for the station, with the live Premier League game on a Saturday evening attracting 9.6% more listeners than at the same point in 2010.
In the Republic of Ireland, UTV is the largest local radio player, the UTV stations; Dublin's FM104, Q102, Cork's 96/C103, Limerick's Live 95FM, Galway Bay FM, Louth Meath's LMFM and Beat 102-103 combined now have a daily reach of 833,000 listeners or 23.8% of the national population. These stations deliver a significant audience in every key urban area in Ireland.
UTV Media plc is one of the most successful media companies in the UK and Ireland incorporating Radio, Television, New Media and Publishing.
(LB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 October 2010
Listeners Tune In For Radio Ulster Boost
The BBC's Radio Ulster remains the number one listened to radio station in Northern Ireland. It has returned an average weekly audience of 507,000 listeners tuning each week, according to the latest Radio Joint Audience Research (RAJAR) figures for Quarter Three, 2010.
Listeners Tune In For Radio Ulster Boost
The BBC's Radio Ulster remains the number one listened to radio station in Northern Ireland. It has returned an average weekly audience of 507,000 listeners tuning each week, according to the latest Radio Joint Audience Research (RAJAR) figures for Quarter Three, 2010.
26 January 2010
Radio Foyle Changes 'Will Enhance Service'
Listeners in the North West are set to receive a 'refreshed' schedule on the local BBC Radio Foyle.
Radio Foyle Changes 'Will Enhance Service'
Listeners in the North West are set to receive a 'refreshed' schedule on the local BBC Radio Foyle.
15 January 2008
Commended Teen Film Critic Gets Media Opportunity
A teenage film critic who has impressed judges in a review competition - linked to a fast growing UK regional film festival – is to begin work experience in a local radio station.
Commended Teen Film Critic Gets Media Opportunity
A teenage film critic who has impressed judges in a review competition - linked to a fast growing UK regional film festival – is to begin work experience in a local radio station.
23 November 2011
BBC Radio Ulster 'Sheltered From Cuts'
As BBC bosses rethink local radio cutbacks overall it has been reported that the watchdog BBC Trust's Chairman Lord Patten has a special place in his heart for NI. The former Stormont Minister and architect of the RUC's rebirth as the PSNI now has "concerns on proposed reductions in output or sharing of output in local radio".
BBC Radio Ulster 'Sheltered From Cuts'
As BBC bosses rethink local radio cutbacks overall it has been reported that the watchdog BBC Trust's Chairman Lord Patten has a special place in his heart for NI. The former Stormont Minister and architect of the RUC's rebirth as the PSNI now has "concerns on proposed reductions in output or sharing of output in local radio".
08 March 2005
UTV wins licence for new Belfast radio station
Communications regulator Ofcom has awarded UTV the new Belfast FM radio station broadcasting licence. The U105 station, which will be operational early next year, is expected to create 30 new jobs.
UTV wins licence for new Belfast radio station
Communications regulator Ofcom has awarded UTV the new Belfast FM radio station broadcasting licence. The U105 station, which will be operational early next year, is expected to create 30 new jobs.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
