"For years, Irish radio was defined by stability. The voices were familiar, the schedules were predictable, the territory was clearly marked. But, as February 2026 gets underway, the war for Ireland's airwaves is very much on, with RTÉ and Newstalk ready to face off across the chessboard."
"Her first guest? None other than Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Was he the right choice to signal a bold new era of broadcasting? And how did Byrne fare on day one? Meanwhile, as the big radio players aggressively recalibrate their offerings, what exactly is driving the headline-making moves? Who boasts the upper hand? And will audiences get a better product in the end?"
Irish radio is entering a competitive phase as RTÉ and Newstalk battle for listeners. Claire Byrne returned to Newstalk after 15 years and opened with Taoiseach Micheál Martin as her first guest. Major radio stations are aggressively recalibrating offerings, prompting headline-making moves across the sector. Longstanding predictability in scheduling and presenter line-ups is giving way to riskier strategic decisions. Stations are using high-profile hires and political interviews to capture prime-time audiences. The rivalry is reshaping promotional strategies, scheduling, and investment in talent and programming. The shift frames a new battleground in the attention economy for Ireland's airwaves.
Read at Irish Independent
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