Entertainment news Ireland is buzzing after the latest JNLR figures delivered a mixed verdict for some of the country’s biggest radio names. The newest audience data shows a difficult quarter for Doireann Garrihy at RTÉ 2FM, while rival presenters across RTÉ Radio 1, Newstalk and Today FM posted notable gains.
Garrihy’s mid-morning programme has dropped by 7,000 daily listeners in the latest book, bringing the show to 79,000. That places the presenter below the 100,000 mark, a significant benchmark in Irish radio and one that will sharpen focus on 2FM’s daytime performance in the months ahead.
Entertainment News Ireland: Latest JNLR Results Put Spotlight on 2FM
The fresh figures point to a challenging period for Garrihy, who returned to the station earlier this year after maternity leave. While she remains one of the most recognisable names in Irish entertainment news, the numbers suggest her slot is under pressure as listeners continue to shift habits across live radio, podcasts and streaming platforms Ireland follows closely.
Elsewhere on 2FM, the picture was mixed:
- Doireann Garrihy’s mid-morning show: down 7,000 to 79,000 listeners
- 2FM Drive with Laura Fox and Katja Mia: down 4,000 to 123,000
- 2FM Breakfast with Carl Mullan, Roz Purcell and Aisling Bonner: up 14,000 to 189,000
- 2FM daily reach: up by 8,000 to 333,000
RTÉ 2FM boss Dan Healy struck an upbeat tone, highlighting the breakfast show’s growth and praising the station’s wider team. He said the early-morning trio are now seeing the benefit of more than two years on air together, adding that 2FM’s broader reach has also grown.
Radio Winners and Losers Across the Irish Market
Beyond 2FM, the latest media entertainment Ireland snapshot showed strong movement across major stations. At RTÉ Radio 1, Kieran Cuddihy marked a standout result on Liveline, adding 14,000 listeners to bring the iconic afternoon programme to 268,000.
In remarks following the release, Cuddihy said he was delighted with the figures and credited the production team and the public who share their stories with the show. His gain comes one year after taking over the slot, making it one of the more closely watched shifts in entertainment industry Ireland circles.
Other key Radio 1 updates included:
- Morning Ireland: up 7,000 to 464,000
- David McCullagh: up 1,000 to 421,000
- News at One: up 13,000 to 271,000
- Oliver Callan: down 2,000 to 283,000
- Louise Duffy: unchanged at 133,000
Weekend programming also turned in varied results, with Brendan O’Connor’s Saturday edition rising to 411,000, while his Sunday audience slipped to 391,000. Miriam O’Callaghan’s Sunday show edged upward to 322,000.
What the Numbers Mean for Irish Media Right Now
At Newstalk, Claire Byrne continued her strong start, adding 12,000 listeners to reach 222,000. The Hard Shoulder also enjoyed a major lift, climbing by 17,000 to 170,000. Pat Kenny’s weekend shows posted record highs, underscoring how competitive the spoken-word market remains.
Today FM also had reason to be encouraged, with Ian Dempsey’s breakfast audience up to 245,000 and The Last Word holding a record 195,000.
For entertainment news Ireland watchers, the latest JNLRs tell a clear story: radio remains a powerful force, but listener loyalty is increasingly hard won. Garrihy’s dip will draw headlines in Irish TV news and celebrity news Ireland coverage alike, yet the wider market shows audiences still respond to established formats, strong presenter chemistry and consistent appointment listening.
As the battle for ears intensifies across broadcast, podcast and digital audio, the next ratings book will be crucial. For now, the biggest takeaway in entertainment news Ireland is simple: some shows are building momentum, while others are being forced into a reset.
