Jump to content

Galway Bay FM

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Galway Bay FM
Frequency95.8 MHz
Programming
Languages
Ownership
OwnerConnacht Tribune
History
Founded1989; 36 years ago (1989)
Former names
Radio West
Links
Websitewww.galwaybayfm.ie

Galway Bay FM is an Irish independent local radio station and operates under a licence from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.[1] Established in 1989,[2] the station broadcasts from studios in Galway, serving the city and County Galway.

Programming

[edit]

The programming format is a mixture of music, news, sport, current affairs and local issues.[3] Programmes are generally in English, although the station features some Irish language programmes. There is an opt-out service with alternative programming for Galway city on weekday evenings using the 95.8 MHz frequency.

History

[edit]

The station was originally launched as Radio West in 1989[4][5] and was the first legal local radio station in Galway.[2] Radio West changed its name to Galway Bay FM in 1993.

In 2006, the Connacht Tribune newspaper bought the station outright, having previously owned 27% of it.[4]

In 2024 Galway Bay FM had the largest market share of listeners in County Galway at 23%, with 115,000 weekly listeners. This was four percentage points ahead of RTE Radio 1 and Today FM.[4]

In June 2025, it was announced that the station had been sold to Bay Broadcasting Limited, owners of Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio in an estimated seven figure deal. [6]

Alumni

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Galway Bay FM Contact details". Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. Archived from the original on 10 March 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  2. ^ a b "August 20, 1989 THE IRISH EMIGRANT Issue No.133". Emigrant Online. 20 August 1989. Archived from the original on 24 November 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  3. ^ "DETERMINATION OF MERGER NOTIFICATION M/06/067 – CONNACHT TRIBUNE/GALWAY BAY FM". Competition Authority. 24 October 2006. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  4. ^ a b c Carey, Brian (1 December 2024). "Race on to acquire Galway media businesses". The Times. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Sale of local radio station nets Galway county board a €800,000 windfall". Irish Independent. 28 December 2006. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  6. ^ "Galway Bay FM sold to Bay Broadcasting subject to clearance". RadioToday. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
[edit]


Stub icon 1 Stub icon 2

This article about mass media in Ireland is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Stub icon 1 Stub icon 2

This article about a radio station in Europe is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Galway_Bay_FM&oldid=1294454251"