WLR has recorded an exceptional set of results in the latest JNLR figures, confirming its position as Waterford’s most listened-to radio station.

Over the past 12 months, WLR has grown its weekly listenership from 61,000 to 66,000, while daily listenership has jumped from 38,000 to 47,000. The station now commands an impressive 34.6% market share, further cementing its place as the go to station in Waterford.

There were standout performances across the board: The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna has delivered its highest listenership since October 2012, which is a major milestone for the station, and Déise Today with Damien Tiernan continues to lead the way as Waterford’s most listened-to show, attracting an average of 22,563 listeners every 15 minutes.

WLR’s weekend programming also performed strongly, with a 2,000 increase in Saturday reach and a 4% rise in Saturday market share. Sundays saw an additional 3,000 listeners, along with a 3% share increase. Afternoon and evening shows also posted strong growth, showing the station’s consistent strength across the schedule.

Commenting on the results, Michael Byrne, CEO of WLR FM, said: “These results are a fantastic endorsement of the work being done right across the station. From early morning to late evening, weekday and weekend, the team is delivering content that listeners trust and connect with. To see growth in daily, weekly, and market share figures is hugely encouraging, and to do so in a changing media landscape shows that local radio is as important as ever. We’re proud to serve the people of Waterford, and very gratefully for your ongoing loyalty.”

WLR’s strength lies not only in its on-air programming but also in how it reaches listeners. Radio today is more accessible than ever, and WLR connects in multiple ways , whether it’s on FM in the car or at home, through smart speakers, on the WLR app, or via the station’s website, wlrfm.com. In addition, WLR’s strong presence on social media keeps listeners engaged and informed across platforms, giving them even more ways to interact with their favourite station.

Ciaran Cunningham CEO Radiocentre Ireland said:“It is clear that radio listening is booming in Ireland, and today’s figures are a strong reminder that Irish radio remains a central part of people’s lives, with brilliant content being consumed by millions of listeners every single day. All segments of the Irish population,from young to old,are tuning in in large numbers, as radio continues to be a vital part of daily life in Ireland. While many other forms of media are experiencing audience declines, radio continues to enjoy record listenership. This presents a valuable opportunity for brands to harness the power of radio and connect with listeners across both broadcast and online platforms ”.

WLR listeners tune into radio on average for 4.1 hours per day.

Across Ireland, 3.4 million adults continue to tune into radio each day, proving the strength and unique position of radio in Irish life. In a fast-paced digital world, radio remains a trusted, familiar, and flexible medium, and WLR, in particular, continues to thrive.

These results highlight WLR’s continued commitment to delivering trusted news, strong current affairs, local voices, sport, and entertainment for its loyal and growing audience.

Source IPSOS JNLR 2025-1

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