Highland Radio is the local radio service for the County Donegal (North) franchise, operating under a licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). Headquartered at the Mountain Top in Letterkenny, the station may also be received across the border in the city of Derry and the rest of that county, as well as County Tyrone, County Fermanagh and parts of County Antrim.
Highland began broadcasting on 15 March 1990, and is currently franchised until 2014. It promotes itself as "Ireland's Number One Local Radio Station", a claim backed up by having both the highest reach figures (88% 7 day, 67% weekday) and market share (65.9%) of any local station within the Republic of Ireland. The station also ranks as the most successful local radio station in Europe.[1] Highland Radio employs 21 full-time and 40 part-time employees, and is home to Shaun Doherty, who, according to analysts, is Ireland's most popular radio presenter, and is considered an institution in the north-west.[2]
On 12 August 2012, Highland Radio received an international exclusive interview with Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt live on air from the Olympics in London.[3]
History [edit]
On 31 May 2005, it was announced that the station was to be purchased by Scottish Radio Holdings for €7 million. However, SRH itself was acquired by EMAP 21 days later. [4] The deal was cleared by both the BCI and the Irish Competition Authority. EMAPs sole changes to the station to date have been increasing the bandwidth of their web streams from 20 kbit/s to 128 kbit/s, with no format or presenter changes. On July 16, 2007 it was announced that Denis O'Brien's Communicorp had agreed to purchase FM104, along with national station Today FM and Highland Radio. The sale was, however, subject to both the Competition Authority and Broadcasting Commission of Ireland approval.[5][6] On October 8, 2007 the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland approved the proposed sale by EMAP to Communicorp of Today FM and Highland Radio, but did not approve the proposed sale of FM104 to the company owned by Denis O'Brien.[7]
Orangold, a company owned by the Rabbitt family, completed the purchase of Highland Radio from Denis O'Brien's Communicorp Group in July 2008. Gerry Rabbitt is a founder shareholder of Galway Bay FM and was managing director of Galway Bay FM for 10 years.[8]
The station launched Rehab Radio Bingo on January 22, 2009. The bingo sessions were first broadcast on February 9, 2009. Money raised goes towards supporting Rehab which works for social and economic inclusion among people with disabilities.[9]
Presenters [edit]
Current [edit]
- Greg Hughes
- Lee Gooch
- Ivan Boreland
- Steven Lynch
- Martin Friel
- Tommy Rosney
- Packie Keeney
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- Rosemary Herraghty
- Bernard Harper
- Mickey Doherty
- Caroline McDermott
- Pio McCann
- Aidan Murphy
- Canice Wilson
- Danny Sharkey
- Keith Fletcher
- Paul McDevitt
- Frank Galligan
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Alumni [edit]
For people who have worked for Highland Radio and who are also notable people with their own Wikipedia page.
Highland Radio News [edit]
Highland Radio News broadcasts three main news bulletins on weekdays at 08:30, 13:00 and 17:30. These bulletins last around 8-minutes and cover news from counties Donegal, Tyrone and Londonderry, plus some national news from across Ireland and some international news. Also, during weekdays, Highland Radio broadcasts two-minute news summaries on the hour from 08:00 until 19:00.
On Saturdays Highland Radio broadcasts three local news bulletins at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13.00 and 14:00. At 08:00, 09:00 and hourly from 15:00 until midnight Newstalk News bulletins are broadcast. On Sundays Highland Radio only broadcasts one local news bulletin at 18:00. Newstalk News bulletins are broadcast on the hour from 08:00 until 17:00 and 19:00 until midnight. Due to live sporting events being broadcast on weekends on Saturday/Sunday Sport from 14:00-18:00 some bulletins from Newstalk are not broadcast, so not to interrupt the live sports coverage.
During Bank Holidays and Christmas time, Highland Radio usually hands over to Newstalk for their news coverage with only limited news summaries being provided by the Highland Radio news team. However recent Bank Holidays have had nearly the same Highland Radio News bulletins as normal weekdays but at Christmas time Newstalk is the sole provider of news on Highland Radio (probably since the news readers are off on holidays).
Schedule [edit]
The station's schedule comprises a mix of MOR and country music and dance music, with its flagship shows including the Shaun Doherty Show featuring discussions and debates on current affairs and the Power Hour dance music request show.
Monday - Friday (standard schedule) [edit]
| Time |
Show |
Presenter(s) |
Details |
| 07.00-10.00 |
John Breslin's Highland Breakfast |
John Breslin |
John Breslin brightens up Donegal mornings with his comical on-air banter and regular news and sport plus entertainment updates |
| 10.00-13.00 |
The Shaun Doherty Show |
Shaun Doherty |
Shaun presents Highlands's Current Affairs show, with live callers and a look at the papers |
| 13.00-13.20 |
Lunchtime News |
|
News from the North-West |
| 13.20-15.00 |
Steven Lynch |
Steven Lynch |
Steven presents the best in Irish & American Country Music with requests and dedications |
| 15.00-17.30 |
Drivetime with Lee Gooch |
Lee Gooch |
Lee hosts a show driven by a mix of chart hits and golden oldies |
| 17.30-18.00 |
Main Evening News |
|
News from the North-West |
| 18.00-19.00 |
Power Hour with Ivan Boreland |
Ivan Boreland |
Ivan plays the hits of the today and the hits of tomorrow |
Monday variations [edit]
| Time |
Show |
Presenter(s) |
Details |
| 17.30-17.50 |
Main Evening News |
|
News from the North-West |
| 17.15-18.50 |
Sport Review |
|
Review of Weekend's sport |
| 18.15-19.00 |
Power Hour Top 30 Countdown |
Ivan Boreland |
Top 30 |
| 19.00-20.30 |
Martin Friel |
Martin Friel |
Hits |
| 20.30-20.00 |
Travelling with God |
Fr. Paddy Dunne & others |
Religious programme |
| 21.00-23.00 |
Packie Keeney |
|
Packie Keeney |
| 23.00-01.00 |
Tommy Rosney |
|
Tommy Rosney |
Tuesday variations [edit]
| Time |
Show |
Presenter(s) |
Details |
| 19.00-20.30 |
Rosemary Herraghty |
Rosemary Herraghty |
American Country |
| 20.30-21.00 |
Irish Programme |
|
As Gaelige |
| 21.00-23.00 |
Bernard Harper |
Bernard Harper |
Classic Hits |
| 23.00-01.00 |
Mickey Doherty |
Mickey Doherty |
Stories & fun |
Wednesday variations [edit]
| Time |
Show |
Presenter(s) |
Details |
| 19.00-20.30 |
Paul Mc Devitt |
Paul Mc Devitt |
Golden Oldies |
| 20.30-21.00 |
GAA Programme |
Tom Comack |
Current GAA news / events |
| 21.00-2300 |
Pio Mc Cann |
Pio Mc Cann |
C & W |
| 23.00-01.00 |
Mickey Doherty |
Mickey Doherty |
Stories & fun |
Thursday variations [edit]
| Time |
Show |
Presenter(s) |
Details |
| 19.00-20.00 |
Mickey Doherty |
Mickey Doherty |
Showband Era |
| 20.00-21.00 |
An Saol O Thuaidh (Life Up North) |
Clodhna Ni Chinneide |
As Gaelige |
| 21.00-23.00 |
Aidan Murphy |
Aidan Murphy |
Golden Year |
| 23.00-01.00 |
Steven Lynch |
Steven Lynch |
C & W |
Friday variations [edit]
| Time |
Show |
Presenter(s) |
Details |
| 18.00-20.00 |
Power Hour Double Play with Ivan Boreland |
Ivan Boreland |
Getting ready for the weekend |
| 20.00-22.00 |
The Hits Factor |
Caroline McDermott |
Hits current & past |
| 22.00-01.00 |
Steven Lynch |
Steven Lynch |
C & W |
Saturday [edit]
| Time |
Show |
Presenter(s) |
Details |
| 08.00-10.00 |
Paddy Friel |
Paddy Friel |
| 10.00-12.00 |
Danny Sharkey |
Danny Sharkey |
Golden oldies |
| 12.00-14.00 |
Pio McCann |
Pio McCann |
C & W |
| 14.00-18.00 |
Saturday Sport |
Saturday Sport |
Oisin Kelly/Myles Gallagher |
| 18.00-20.00 |
Power Hour Double Play with Ivan Boreland |
Ivan Boreland |
Dance Music |
| 20.00-22.00 |
Keith Fletcher |
Keith Fletcher |
Favourites Requests |
| 22.00-01.00 |
Paul McDevitt |
Paul McDevitt |
The Big Saturday Night Party |
Sunday [edit]
| Time |
Show |
Presenter(s) |
Details |
| 08.00-12.00 |
Aidan Murphy |
Aidan Murphy |
(At around 11.00/11.15 on Sundays, Highland Radio hands over to live coverage of Sunday Mass or Sunday Services. The usual Sunday Masses are live from the Cathedral of St. Eunan and St. Columba in Letterkenny or Saint Eugene's Cathedral in Derry City, but also include other Catholic churches across counties Donegal, Tyrone and Derry. They also have services from other Christian churches across the same area.) |
| 12.00-14.00 |
Danny Sharkey |
Danny Sharkey |
Golden Oldies |
| 14.00-18.00 |
Sunday Sport |
Sunday Sport |
Oisin Kelly/Myles Gallagher |
| 18.00-19.30 |
Frank Galligan |
Frank Galligan |
Easy Listening from musicals, etc. |
| 19.30-21.00 |
Jean Curran |
Jean Curran |
Jean's Curran's Classic Hits |
| 21.00-23.00 |
Tommy Rosney |
Tommy Rosney |
C & W |
| 23.00-01.00 |
Bernard Harper |
Bernard Harper |
The Love Hour |
- Note: The Shaun Doherty Show is repeated on Tuesday to Saturdays at 01.00 (i.e. 12 hours after the original show finished). When the programme ends, music is broadcast until 07.30/08.00. From 01.00 on Sunday and Monday morning music is broadcast straight through until 08.00. There are no overnight presenters whatsoever, just back to back music.
References [edit]
- ^ Highland tops poll with inextricable link to Daniel, Irish Independent, August 20, 2003
- ^ Bielenberg, Kim. "The top 10 waiting in the wings". Irish Independent. 22 October 2011.
- ^ "Usain Bolt speaks to Myles Gallagher on Sunday Sport". Highland Radio. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012. "Today, on Highland Radio’s “Sunday Sports” show, Myles Gallagher was speaking to Ricky Simms about his athletes performances in the London Olympics, when he asked about the chances of the star sprinter visiting the county. Myles wasn't expecting what happened next…………"
- ^ Scottish to buy Highland Radio for €7m - RTÉ News
- ^ "O'Brien's company buys Irish radio stations". RTÉ. 2007-07-16.
- ^ "Sale of Republic of Ireland radio stations". EMAP. 2007-07-16.
- ^ "Today FM and Highland Radio Sale approved". RTÉ. 2007-10-08.
- ^ "Rabbitt family completes Highland buy". RTÉ. 2008-07-25.
- ^ Official launch for Rehab Radio Bingo on Highland, Highland Radio, January 23, 2009
External links [edit]
Media in County Donegal  |
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