WLR is thrilled to announce the figures for the coverage of the recent Local and European elections. Our dedicated team of four journalists delivered an astounding 68 local news bulletins over a two-day period, broadcasting on the hour and half-hour, ensuring our listeners were continuously informed and engaged.
Our flagship current affairs programme Deise Today, hosted by Damien Tiernan and produced by Jennifer Long, aired 11 hours of in-depth, full hour shows over the few days, providing thorough analysis and coverage of the election events. The response and statistics from the public have been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the importance of quality trusted journalism in today’s media landscape.
WLR’s approach was multi-platform, broadcasting on FM, online, video, and a live blog. In partnership with SETU, listeners could watch the election unfold LIVE while listening to WLR audio.
Key Highlights of WLR's Election Coverage:
- Website Views: 462,895
- Live Video and Stream Views: 223,803
- Blog Followers: 81,174
- Individual Elected Videos Views: 112,991
- App and Smart Speaker App Listeners: 48,351
- FM Radio Audience: Significant engagement – 61,000 weekly listeners as per the last JNLR 2024-1
These impressive figures exemplify the power of local public service broadcasting. WLR CEO, Michael Byrne, expressed his thanks to the team for their dedication and professionalism:
"I would like to thank all the news and current affairs team for their tireless professional broadcasting. A huge well done to Damien Tiernan, Jennifer Long, Kieran Foley, Dymphna Nugent, Kyle Butler, and Jordan Norris. What was achieved by these dedicated journalists was just outstanding. The team did an exceptional job providing comprehensive and engaging election coverage, reaffirming our role as a trusted news source in Waterford. My thanks to Dean Robinson, Ray Colclough, Paula O’Gorman, and Pat Maher for the excellent technical and digital assistance, and to Peter Windle and Cian O'Carroll from SETU for their outstanding video work. I would also like to extend our thanks to Returning Officer Paul Johnston, and Karen Cheevers in Waterford Council for their assistance last weekend.”
This achievement underscores WLR's commitment to delivering high-quality, local independent journalism that serves the public interest.
Michael Kelly, CEO of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland said; “WLR’s coverage is a great example of public service content in our sector. Well done to all involved. This is a real contribution by independent radio to the democratic process.”
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
