Bay Broadcasting, owners of Ireland’s leading independent radio stations including Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8, has announced its acquisition of Galway Bay FM. The move marks a significant expansion of Bay Broadcasting’s footprint across Ireland and reaffirms its commitment to its radio investments in Ireland.
Galway Bay FM is the licensed broadcaster for Galway City & County, with a market share of 34%. The station has a staff count of 25 at it’s headquarters at Sandy Road in the city.
The purchase is subject to CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) and also subject to Ministerial approval.
In a statement, Kevin Branigan, Director of Bay Broadcasting, said, “Galway Bay FM stands out as one of Ireland’s most respected local stations, with a loyal audience and a strong local identity. It’s one of the most enduring local radio stations in the country and its track record speaks for itself. We look forward to working with the excellent team in Galway Bay FM and to continuing the station’s proud position as the leading radio service in Galway”.
Speaking on behalf of the departing shareholders of Galway Bay FM, Peter Allen, Chairman said, “There were several interested parties, but Bay Broadcasting was the clear choice. Their respect for local radio, strong track record, and Irish ownership aligned with everything we’ve worked to build over decades really stood out. The shareholders – many of whom are families with generations of involvement – wanted to ensure that the station's future remained rooted in Galway. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and confident that Galway Bay FM will be in excellent hands.”
Galway Bay FM launched in 1989 under the name Radio West, rebranding in 1993. The Connacht Tribune Ltd, which owned a 27% stake, became sole owners in 2006. A family-run business deeply embedded in the west of Ireland, the Tribune Group developed Galway Bay FM into a trusted voice for Galway city and county, serving a licensed audience aged 27–60.
Bay Broadcasting is a privately-owned Irish media company co-founded by Mike Ormonde and Kevin Branigan. It operates Dublin’s top leading music radio stations – Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8 – along with Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, which broadcasts to Dublin Cork, Limerick & Galway, and is Ireland’s only multicity radio station.
With the addition of Galway Bay FM, Bay Broadcasting will become the second largest radio group in Ireland - and the only Irish-owned radio group - now larger than Onic (formerly Wireless), operators of FM104/Q102 in Dublin, 96FM/103FM in Cork, Live 95 In Limerick and LMFM in Louth/Meath.
Bay Broadcasting was founded in 2008 by Mike Ormonde and Kevin Branigan and currently employs a team of 60 at its base in the Dublin Docklands. It owns Classic Hits Radio, Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8. Radio Nova is the largest music radio station in Dublin (9.4% market share) with Sunshine 106.8 a close second at 8.9%. Meanwhile, Classic Hits Radio has 382,000 listeners across its franchise area of Dublin, Cork, Limerick & Galway and is the only multicity service licenced by the broadcasting regulator.
The purchase of Galway Bay FM will give Bay 810,000 listeners compared to Onic’s 796,000 listeners. The acquisition has already been approved by Coimisiún na Meán.
Editors Notes
Galway Bay FM
Established in 1989 as Radio West before rebranding to Galway Bay FM in 1993, the station has been a cornerstone of broadcasting in the west of Ireland for over three decades. With a strong commitment to local news, current affairs, music, and community engagement, Galway Bay FM has built a loyal audience across the region. Today, it reaches an impressive weekly listenership of 132,000 people, making it one of the most influential and trusted media voices in Connacht.
Bay Broadcasting
Bay Broadcasting is the country’s largest owned radio group and is the operator of Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8, it employs a team of 60 at its base in the Dublin docklands. Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8 are the no 1 and no 2 music radio stations in Dublin respectively and Ireland’s Classic Hits radio which broadcasts in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway is the largest commercial radio station in Ireland outside the two national radio stations; Today FM and Newstalk. The acquisition of Galway Bay FM brings Bay’s total audience to 810,000 and will increase its staff count to approximately 85.
