Dublin, Cork, Limerick & Galway
Julie White appointed Commercial Director of Galway Bay FM as station enters new phase of commercial growth
Experienced radio executive joins Galway Bay FM to lead commercial strategy across broadcast, digital and social.
Bay Broadcasting Ltd has announced the appointment of experienced radio executive Julie White as Commercial Director of Galway Bay FM, as the station embarks on the next phase of its commercial development and growth.
White, who has almost two decades of senior commercial and management experience within Irish radio, will take responsibility for developing and implementing a new commercial strategy for Galway Bay FM spanning radio, digital, online and social platforms.
The appointment forms part of Bay Broadcasting’s strategic plans for Galway Bay FM following its acquisition of the station earlier this year.
In her new role, White will lead Galway Bay FM’s local commercial operations and sales team, with responsibility for driving revenue growth, developing new commercial opportunities and strengthening relationships with local businesses, agencies and third-party sales partners.
She will also work closely with the wider Bay Broadcasting management team to develop Galway Bay FM’s digital commercial offering and identify new opportunities for advertisers to connect with audiences across the station’s expanding range of platforms.
White joins Galway Bay FM following more than nine years with Live95, where she served as Sales and Marketing Manager. During that period, she led the station’s sales strategy, marketing activity and digital development, delivering a reported 20% increase in team revenue over a three-year period and an 82% increase in digital revenues.
Prior to Live 95, White spent almost ten years with SPIN South West, joining as Sales Manager ahead of the station’s launch in 2007 before being appointed Station Manager in 2013. Her career in radio sales began with Live 95 in 2005.
Commenting on her appointment, Julie White, Commercial Director of Galway Bay FM, said; “I am delighted to be joining Galway Bay FM at such an exciting point in the station’s development. It has an incredibly strong position in Galway and, importantly, a very loyal relationship with its listeners and the local business community.
“The way audiences consume media continues to evolve and that creates significant opportunities for radio stations and their commercial partners. My focus will be on building on Galway Bay FM’s existing strengths while developing an ambitious commercial strategy across radio, digital and social that delivers creative, measurable solutions for our clients. I am also really looking forward to working with the team in Galway and my new colleagues across Bay Broadcasting and contributing to the next chapter in the station’s growth.”
Cormac O’Halloran, CEO, Galway Bay FM, said, “We are very fortunate to have a person with the breadth of experience that Julie White has join our Team. Julie brings a long history of commercial success in Sales and Marketing in the radio sector to Galway Bay FM and complements our existing Team extremely well. I look forward to working with her to maximise the commercial opportunities in Galway and nationally in the future.”
Galway Bay FM is the leading radio station in Galway city and county, with a 28.2% market share, ahead of RTÉ, Today FM, Newstalk and other radio services in its market. It is one of Ireland’s largest local commercial radio stations outside Dublin and Cork.
The station became part of Bay Broadcasting earlier this year, bringing it into the same Irish-owned radio group as Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8.
Galway Bay FM is part of the Bay Broadcasting group, which also includes Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8. Its combined radio stations broadcast to almost 900,000 people across the country.
Ends
For further information, please contact: Ann-Marie Sheehan, Aspire PR & Marketing, T: +353 87 2985569, E: annmarie@aspire-pr.com
Ann-Marie Sheehan
Founder
Aspire PR & Marketing
T : +353 87 2985569
Galway Bay FM, the Sound of Galway, is the leading radio service in Galway City & County, which operates under a licence from Coimisiún na Meán. Established in 1989, the station broadcasts from its studios in Sandy Road, Galway, serving Galway City and County and it one of the largest local radio services in Ireland.
Galway Bay is available on FM, Online and nationwide via Smart Speaker, Smartphone Apps and the Irish Radio Player.
We're recruiting for a Business Development Executive to join our busy team in Galway city.
The Role
Reporting to the Sales Manager, as a member of the Direct Sales team, you will manage and grow an existing client base plus identify and pursue new advertising clients for the station.
Key Criteria:
Other Requirements:
A competitive package is available to the successful candidate. Applications should be sent to hr@baybroadcasting.ie
Galway Bay FM is an equal opportunities employer.
Bay Broadcasting is the dominant player in music radio in Dublin, with 23% market share of all radio listening in the capital, according to the latest JNLR, putting clear distance between itself and rivals Bauer and Onic.
Bay's three music services Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8 command a primetime market share of 23% compared with 11.8% for Onic - FM104/Q102- and 16% for Bauer's music services Today FM, 98FM and Spin combined.
The ratings cover the 12-month period up to 31st March and show that Bay is the market leader for music radio in Dublin, with Sunshine 106.8 and Radio Nova holding the #1 and #2 positions on 9.7% and 8.9% respectively. Meanwhile, Classic Hits Radio has increased its market share by almost 50% to 4.4% in the last 12 months in the capital, placing it only 0.3% behind Q102 and 0.5% behind Today FM.
Bay Broadcasting CEO, Kevin Branigan, said, "Our radio stations continue to out-perform Bauer and Onic in the most important market in the country - spectacularly so - showing that it's connection with audiences and attention to detail that attract audiences".
Bay recently announced that the three radio stations would achieve quasi-national coverage using the new Failte DAB trial, bringing Nova and Sunshine to 2.5 million new listeners and Classic Hits Radio to an additional 1.2 million. The three services went live on the Failte DAB earlier this month.
"It's early days but the feedback from listeners has been very encouraging so far", says Branigan. "DAB+ affords the means to bring more choice and diversity to the radio landscape and we're very excited about the potential for it in Ireland".
Bay owns Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio and Galway Bay FM and has a substantial interest in Sunshine 106.8. It also operates the digital services Energy Dance, Pure Country, Nova Classic Rock and Sunshine Soul services on DAB.
Bay operates from Castleforbes House in the Dublin Docklands.
* JNLR Ipsos/MRBI 2026.1. Dublin City & County, Market Share 7am-7pm.
Galway Bay FM has launched a new country and Irish music service on DAB. Pure Country will broadcast 24 hours per day on DAB+, online and smart speaker, and will be a dedicated, specialist, radio service for the country music genre in Ireland.
Pure Country has started testing on the Failte DAB Mux2 trial. Failte DAB's Mux2 will cover a broad area including all or parts of the North and South Midlands, the Southeast, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway and Mayo areas. The station broadcasts from Galway Bay FM's studio premises in Galway City.
Galway Bay FM CEO, Fionnuala Rabbitt, said, "We're very excited to be launching Pure Country on DAB+. There is an incredibly strong and enduring tradition of country music in Ireland, particularly outside Dublin. It's a huge phenomenon, with artists like Daniel O'Donnell, Nathan Carter, Michael English, Mike Denver, Derek Ryan, and Lisa McHugh, as well as a wide range of American country. We know this from our 30 years of supporting country music at Galway Bay FM and we're very excited about the future".
While the station will start on an automated basis, it is planned to develop specialist country music shows and live programming in the coming months. It is hoped that the service will extend to the Greater Dublin area in time, although its key focus will be outside Dublin.
Galway Bay FM is part of Bay Broadcasting, operators of Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio and with involvement in Sunshine 106.8. The company has embraced the Failte DAB trials, establishing a dance music service - Energy Dance, a classic rock service - Nova Classic Rock, and Sunshine Soul. The move to launch Pure Country comes from Bay's ambitions and a desire to expand its portfolio and its interest in DAB+.
Bay Broadcasting CEO, Kevin Branigan, said, "We've been very interested in Failte DAB's trials and are involved with a blend of new niche services and carriage of existing FM services - similar to Bauer and Onic. It's exciting to me that a new, specialist, country music service can broadcast from Galway to such a wide area and that Galway Bay FM can be one of the early pioneers in DAB+ in Ireland. We look forward to developing Pure Country over the coming months".
In additional to DAB+, Pure Country can be found online at www.purecountry.ie
More information:
Kevin Branigan
t: 087 2679047
Bay Broadcasting has announced the senior appointment of Dave Kelly as Group Programme Director, strengthening the group’s leadership team at a time of continued audience growth and expansion.
Kelly will oversee programming across Bay’s radio portfolio, including Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, Radio Nova and Galway Bay FM. Kelly has been involved with Bay since 2021, primarily working with Radio Nova and Classic Hits Radio, a period during which both stations have delivered significant and sustained listenership growth. Prior to joining Bay, Kelly was one of Ireland’s most experienced radio
programmers, serving as Programme Director of FM104 and Q102 for almost two decades.
Speaking about the announcement, Kevin Branigan, CEO of Bay Broadcasting, said:“Dave is an outstanding programmer with an exceptional track record. He brings a strong, consistent and listener-focused approach to programming that delivers
results, and we are delighted to appoint him to the newly created role of Group Programme Director.”
Since 2021, Radio Nova has become the number one music radio station in Dublin, while Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio has grown to become the largest commercial radio service in the country outside the two national stations, Today FM and Newstalk.
Dave Kelly said: “I’m delighted to bring my 30 years’ programming experience to Bay Broadcasting and to work even more closely with the talented teams across Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, Radio Nova and Galway Bay FM. I’m incredibly proud of the success we’ve achieved, particularly the remarkable ratings growth at Radio Nova and Classic Hits over the past four years. Galway Bay FM is an exciting addition to the Bay stable and I’m really looking forward to working with the team at their studios in Galway City.
With radio in Ireland attracting 3.5 million listeners every weekday, according to the latest JNLR figures, it’s an exciting timeto be part of this ever-evolving media landscape.”
Bay Broadcasting is the operator of a portfolio of premium Irish radio brands, including Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, Galway Bay FM and Sunshine 106.8. The group employs approximately 90 experienced media professionals across its Dublin and Galway offices.
For further information or to speak to Dave Kelly or Kevin Branigan, please contact : Ann-Marie
Sheehan, Aspire PR & Marketing; T : +353872985569, E : annmarie@aspire-pr.com
Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio is turning up the volume on health and happiness with two exciting new launches designed to help the nation start 2026 right by feeling better, moving more and enjoying the journey along the way.
Building on the momentum of supporting the nationwide 40 Day Health Challenge for a second year, Ireland’s Classic Hits has launched a brand-new 40 Day Health Challenge Channel, available exclusively through the Classic Hits app. The multi-city station has also announced a nationwide listener roadshow that will give 200 people the chance to discover their metabolic age, meet trusted experts and take part in one of Ireland’s most engaging health initiatives. Together, these launches are designed to motivate, support and entertain listeners as they follow the 40 Day Health Challenge and take positive steps towards better physical and mental wellbeing, kickstarting their new year
A New Channel Dedicated to Feeling Good
Created specifically to support those taking part in the challenge — and anyone looking to move more — the new 40 Day Health Challenge Channel provides the perfect soundtrack for walking, running, exercising or simply feeling better day to day.
Ad-free and available exclusively within the Ireland’s Classic Hits app, the channel offers:
Reverse Your Age: Nationwide Listener Roadshow
To bring the 40 Day Health Challenge to life, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and the 40 Day Health Challenge team have teamed up with Randox Health & Holland & Barret to give listeners the chance to find out their metabolic age through a free body composition scan.
Unlike your real age, your metabolic age can be improved. Last year, participants following the 40 Day Health Challenge reduced their metabolic age by up to 11 years.
Over the coming weeks, 200 listeners will win the chance to step onto the body composition scanner and meet the experts at live roadshow events in:
Each event will be hosted by Ireland’s Classic Hits’ Trina Mara, who throughout the 40 Day Challenge speaks daily on her show (10am–2pm) with experts and challengers about the remarkable journeys happening across the country.
Trina Mara, presenter of ‘Classic Hits at Work’, said: “I am genuinely so excited about this new channel. It’s great to be involved with the 40 Day Health Challenge for a second year, speaking with the experts and challengers about the inspiring journeys unfolding across the country and I can’t wait to share more of their stories. I’m also looking forward to meeting listeners face to face on the roadshow and cheer them on as they take that first step towards better health in 2026.”
Meet the Challengers
This year, listeners are also following the inspiring progress of three on-air challengers:
Their journeys are being shared daily on air, offering honesty, motivation and encouragement to listeners nationwide.
For the next four weeks, Ireland’s Classic Hits will be running competitions giving listeners the chance to join the roadshow, discover their metabolic age and take the first step towards better health.
Tune in to The Trina Mara Show, weekdays 10am–2pm, for updates, expert advice and your chance to take part.
The new 40 Day Health Challenge Channel: Music to move to and advice to live better - Your soundtrack to healthier habits. Available now within the Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio app via www.classichits.ie
Take Part, Feel Better by checking out: www.40dayhealthchallenge.ie. *Charges apply
The most recent JNLR radio ratings were released on November 6th 2025. The results are for the period of July 2024 to June 2025. Sunshine 106.8 is Dublin's #1 music station for 35+ adults.
Sunshine 106.8: #1 Music Station in Dublin for 35+ Adults (Share of listening / Market Share data 7a-7p M-F)
Sunshine 106.8, Dublin's Easy Place to Relax, reaches 125,000 listeners every day, 211,000 every week (and 266,000 every month!).
Sunshine 106.8's market share is 9.2% for the period 7a-7p (Mon-Fri) for the 35+ audience.
Sunshine 106.8 is ranked as the #1 music station in Dublin for 35+ Adults
in the 7am to 7pm (Mon-Fri) time period: (Share of listening / Market Share data)
PROFILE
Sunshine 106.8's relaxing music mix appeals to listeners of all ages in Dublin. Sunshine 106.8's weekly (reach) audience is spread across all ages, with particular strength in the 35-54 age group, and we're the market leading music station for female listeners.
Our Average Quarter Hour listening
The typical amount of listeners in any given 15 minute period between 7am and 7pm (Mon-Fri) is 23,000 listeners (and even higher at the weekend!)
For more details on Sunshine 106.8 listenership data or for on-air advertising opportunities, contact our commercial office or click here.
Source for all listenership data referred to on this page: JNLR IPSOS B&A 2025-3 (published November 6th 2025 for the period: Oct 24 to Sep 25).
Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio has held its highest ever market share at 6.5%, in the latest JNLR ratings. The 2025.3 JNLR, released on 06/11/2025 gives the station a commanding 6.5% market share across the Multicity area of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. The station now has 373,000 weekly and 207,000 daily listeners across the area.
Meanwhile, the station is now the #1 music radio station in the Multicity area in weekend market share.
Programme Director, Dave Kelly, said, “We’re very happy with the latest figures. We’ve held our all-time high market share in a very competitive space and that’s a result of the hard work we all put into the station and the unique position we hold as The Home of the 80s & 90s in Ireland”.
Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio broadcasts to eight of the most populated counties in Ireland – Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow & Clare – on FM and nationwide via smart speaker and via the station’s smartphone apps.
Radio Nova is the #1 music radio station in Dublin, according to the the latest JNLR survey, with the station now holding a 9.2% market share in the competitive Dublin city and county area *. The station also has 268,000 weekly and 158,000 daily listeners in its wider franchise area of Dublin Commuter Belt **, according to the 2025.3 JNLR, released on 06/11/2025.
“We’re truly delighted with the latest figures. We’ve worked very hard to keep Nova unique in its music and presentation output and it’s gratifying to see that our listeners like what we’re doing”, says Nova CEO and Programme Director, Kevin Branigan.
The latest numbers point to a two-tier market in Dublin – with a ‘Top 3’ and a cluster of music stations on far lower market shares.
The latest results put clear distance between Nova and FM104, on 7.8%, while there a cluster of other stations – Spin 1038 (5,2%), Today FM (5.1%), 98FM (4.9%) and Q102 (4.4%) sit in the 4-5% area.
“What’s interesting is that we are seeing a clear top tier of music stations in Dublin now – Nova, Sunshine and FM104, with all of the others are in a 2nd level tier down around the 4% and early 5% area”, says Nova CEO and Programme Director, Kevin Branigan.
Dublin Market Share:
1. Nova: 9.2%
2. Sunshine:: 8.4%
3. FM104: 7.8%
4: Spin 5.2%
5: Today FM: 5.1%
6 98FM: 4.9%
7 Q102: 4.4%
8 Classic Hits 3.6%
9: 2FM: 3.3%
JNLR Ipsos/MRBI 2025.3, Dublin City & County, Market Share, Music Radio Stations.
Radio Nova broadcasts to Dublin city, county and commuter belt on FM, smart speaker and via its smartphone apps.
* JNLR Ipsos/MRBI 2025.3, Dublin City & County, Market Share,
** JNLR Ipsos/MRBI 2025.3, Dublin Commuter Belt, Daily & Weekly Listenership,