Friday 1 May 2015

No FM Switch-Off in Ireland

All 43 radio stations now on a single Radioplayer app
The phasing out of FM radio in Ireland is not under consideration, a government spokesperson says. While there are no plans at present to roll out DAB services on a national basis, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) will continue to monitor and consider the potential for the development of digital radio in Ireland. - For the first time, all RTÉ FM stations, along with 34 independent radio stations across Ireland, are available via a single free-for-all Radioplayer app.

We are an aural people. And because economics dictate that we can’t have a TV station for every county and our traditions are aural, it makes sense that we are second in the western hemisphere for radio listening every day, explained J.P. Coakley, the director of operations with RTÉ Radio, Around 84 percent of adults in Ireland listen to radio every day.

According to the government spokesman has the BAI has supported various DAB trials, has organized research and has indicated in its 'Work Plan for 2014 to 2016' its intention to further discuss the potential for DAB or other types of digital radio services through stakeholder meetings during the period covered by the plan.