''For the similarly named
Australian Radio station, see''
2Day 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.
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.
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.
On
16 July 2007 it was announced that Denis O'Brien's
Communicorp had agreed to purchase
FM104 , along with national station Today FM and Donegal station
Highland Radio . The sale is however subject to both
Competition Authority and
Broadcasting Commission Of Ireland approval. Should the sale be approved, both FM104 and
98FM would be owned by the same company.
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