The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland yesterday awarded Dublin-based station NewsTalk 106 a 10-year licence to provide extensive news programmes to most parts of the country.
The station, which targets the 25-plus audience, has served Dublin city and county since 2002 and will now service most parts of the country but will not provide universal coverage under the stipulations of what was described as a quasi-national licence. High-profile presenters such as Eamon Dunphy, George Hook and Seán Moncrieff are expected to begin broadcasting on national airwaves by October.
Station chairman Denis O'Brien paid tribute to chief executive Elaine Geraghty and commended shareholders for their support and patience. "From a personal point of view, we have been trying to secure a national radio licence since 1988, so the news today is one of third time lucky for me," he said.
NewsTalk 106 expects to obtain a market share of 4 per cent of all Irish adults initially and to rise to 6 per cent by 2011. It is now proposing to invest €6 million in expanded operations.
The station will continue to broadcast under the 106 MHz frequency in Dublin and operate within 106-107 MHz for the remaining areas of the country.
The commission indicated that the licence is subject to the successful outcome of contract negotiations.