Independent radio has continued to maintain its lead in the market over RTE, according to new audience figures.
Independent local radio stations and Today FM control a 51 per cent share of weekday listenership, compared to 49 per cent for RTE stations, a position which has remained unchanged over the past 12 months.
The latest Joint National Listenership Research/MRBI figures published yesterday show that within the independent radio sector, Today FM has increased its listenership share by 1 per cent, while the market share of RTE Radio 1 and 2 FM remains unchanged at 27 per cent and 20 per cent.
The most significant gains in the local radio sector in terms of market share, which reflects loyalty to programmes as opposed to listenership, which may just reflect flicking through stations on a car radio, have been made by Radio Kerry, up 9 per cent on last year's figures, and Galway Bay FM, up 3 per cent.
A number of other local stations have lost considerable market share, including Tipperary Mid West Radio, down 11 per cent; Clare FM and South East Radio, each down 8 per cent; and Highland Radio in Donegal, the most listened-to local radio station in the State outside Dublin and Cork, down 7 per cent.
In Dublin, local stations including 98 FM and FM 104 recorded slight losses in terms of market share but RTE's share in the city and county remains unchanged. RTE Radio 1 is the most listened-to station in Dublin, followed by FM 104.
In Cork, Cork 96 FM/County Sound lost 3 per cent of its market share, Today FM lost 1 per cent, and gains were made by RTE Radio 1 and 2 FM, each by two percentage points.
RTE's director of radio, Ms Helen Shaw, said the station was especially pleased with the performance of Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1 which gained 13,000 listeners over the past six months, and Liveline, which increased its listenership by 33,000.
There were gains too for Gerry Ryan and Larry Gogan on 2 M with both their shows increasing listenership by 9,000. However, a drop-off in listeners was experienced by the Marian Finucane and Pat Kenny morning radio programmes over the same period with Marian Finucane losing 6,000 listeners and Pat Kenny losing 8,000.
Defending these losses, Ms Shaw said Marian Finucane's morning radio programme was still the second-most popular radio programme in the State with 389,000 listeners. The station would look at whether her one-hour slot would be extended, given the popularity of her programme.
She added that RTE was very pleased with the performance of Lyric FM, which went on air in May 1999, and she hoped it would double to 4 per cent its market share over the next year.
Ms Shaw conceded that it would be a challenge for the station to retain the 47,000 listeners its Tonight with Vincent Browne programme had following his departure to Prime Time on RTE television, but she said the identity of the new presenter of a similar type programme with tribunal re-enactments would be named within days.
The chief executive of Today FM, Mr Willie O'Reilly, said the figures showed the station was at an all-time high and it was poised for further growth with the addition of Ray D'Arcy to the station's team next month.
The Irish Radio and Television Commission chief executive, Mr Michael O'Keefe, said the survey demonstrated the continued success of independent radio, which has a combined market share of over 50 per cent for the third successive report.
Mr Eamonn Buttle, chairman of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, said the figures showed 54 per cent of all adults tuned in to their local station every day.
"Independent radio is number one yet again. By focusing on issues which have local relevance, as well as national stories, we are delivering what our listeners want," he said.